Common Candle Making Terms

Candle Making Terms: A quick list of some of the words you will come across on your candle making journey. Please use this list to familiarize yourself before doing research.

Additive

A substance blended with wax to enhance its burning qualities or alter its properties. Additives may include vybar, stearic acid, or UV inhibitor to name a few.

Afterglow

The light emitted after removal of an energy source. A wick may tend to “glow” and burn down slightly even after it has been extinguished.

Burn time The amount of time it takes for the wax in a candle to be consumed completely.

Cold throw

The fragrance emitted from a candle when it is not burning.

Cure

To allow a candle to set, or age, to help enhance the fragrance.

Diameter

The measurement of a candle, container or mold at its widest point.

Double boiler

Two nested pans with water in the lower one, designed to allow slow, even heating.

Essential oil

An oil derived from a natural substance (plant material, flowers, leaves, wood, grass)

Flashpoint

The temperature at which a substance can ignite if it comes in contact with an open flame or spark.

Fragrance oil

A blend of synthetic and/or natural components used to create scented oil.

Frosting

A white dusty substance that appears in soy wax candles. It is not harmful and will not effect the burn or scent throw of your candles.

Hot throw

The fragrance emitted from a candle when it is burning.

Melt point

The temperature at which a wax will start to liquefy.

Melt pool

The wax that liquefies as a candle burns.

Mold

A form used to create a freestanding candle. They are usually made of metal.

Mushrooming

Carbon build up on the tip of a wick after burning.

Primed

Term used when referring to wicking; meaning coated with wax.

Repour

The action of filling the cavity left after wax has completely cooled to make the top of the candle level.

Scent Load aka Fragrance Load

Amount of fragrance a wax will hold; usually stated in a percentage.

Scent throw

The fragrance emitted by a candle. (See also cold and hot throw)

Sink hole

Cavity that is formed when a wax hardens and contracts.

Stearic acid

Used to increase opaqueness, slow burning, and harden wax.

Tart

A small portion of scented wax used in a tart burner. Can be made in various shapes, but is commonly a 2.5” diameter.

Tart Burner

A device that has a votive or tealight in a lower compartment with an open cupped area on top where a tart can be heated.

Tunneling

When a wick does not make a full melt pool in a candle leaving a ring of unmelted wax on the sides.

UV stabilizer

An additive used to prevent fading when a candle is exposed to UV rays or fluorescent lighting.

Wet spots

An area where wax has pulled away from parts of a container leaving spots; a common problem with container candles. Also referred to as delamination.

Wick

Material that delivers fuel to the flame in a candle.

Wick bar

A small metal bar used when making candles to stabilize a wick at the top of a candle

Wick clip assembly

A precut length of wick with a wick tab already crimped in place.

Wick pin

Takes the place of the wick while pouring votive or pillar candles. It is removed when the candle is completely cool, and a wick is inserted in its place.

Wick tab

A flat metal disc with a small hole in the center for a wick; holds the wick at the bottom of a candle.