Let’s now take a look at other useful tools.

In order to complete the two candlemaking projects in The Complete Candlemaker Book & Kit, you will find below a list of some materials not included in the kit but that you may need:

- Double-boiler set-up ( note 1 )

- Dipping vat ( note 2 )

- Spoon or stick for stirring wax - Candy thermometer to monitor temperature of wax

- Scissors

- Cool-water bath ( note 3 )

- Piercing device

- Tapestry needle

- Paper towels or old hand towels

- Spoon ladle

- Clean freezer paper - Hook or other drying apparatus to hang candles from while cooling

- Pliers Note 1. The Double-Boiler setup

When a double-boiler bottom is called for, don’t take it literally !

In fact, it would be a shame to damage a nice piece of kitchen equipment. Essentially what you need is a pot, not too high and fairly wide, that you will fill with water.

Then you’ll fill your dipping vat(s) with wax, and set the vats in the water to melt the wax. This will keep the wax away from a direct heat source, so the temperature won’t fluctuate wildly and the wax will melt slowly.

An old, seldom-used pot or a find at the thrift store works well as a double-boiler bottom. Expect the inside of the double boiler to get scraped up and eventually lined with wax.

Note 2. Dipping vat

The dipping vat(s) go inside your double-boiler bottom. The size of tapers you want to make will determine what size of dipping vat you need.

For smaller tapers ( e.g., birthday candles or small, decorative taper sets to hang on the wall), you can use soup cans, tomato paste cans, or any regular 8-oz. food can. For taller tapers, the ideal method is to melt all of your wax in one large juice can (like a big, 46-oz. metal juice can,etc ) and wind the wick so both candles hang fairly close together.

Then you can dip both candles out of one can. If you want to make really tall tapers, you’ll need to use a very tall and very skinny dipping vat.

Three lbs. of wax can make a lot of candles, but if you are trying to fill up a really wide coffee can, the wax isn’t going to be as deep as if you were filling up a skinny milk carton, for example.

Always make sure your dipping vat has tight seams before you fill it up. Just fill it with water first and check for leaks.

Note 3. The cool-water bath Almost any kind of container will work for this - you just need a tub or bucket that’s deep enough to dip the entire length of your taper into some cold water.

References: from Instructions sheets and pictures from the book included in the kit. Title: The Complete Candlemaker . Techniques. Projects. Inspiration. by Norma Coney

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