Learn how to make beautiful and safe candles during the cold season!
Winter is traditionally the busiest season for both making and burning candles and it is easy to see why. Candles brighten our homes during long, dark days and bring a sense of warmth and cosiness that feels especially comforting at this time of year.
However, candle making in winter comes with its own challenges. The good news is that Candle Shack’s expert chandlers are here to guide you through them.
The challenge
The biggest challenge in winter is temperature. Candle wax is highly sensitive to temperature changes and colder conditions can cause it to behave very differently compared to warmer months.
This can show up in several ways. For paraffin candles, whether made from purely mineral wax or blended with plant waxes, cold temperatures increase the risk of jump lines and poor glass adhesion. This can negatively affect the appearance of candles in clear vessels.
Plant wax candles are also affected by the cold. When temperatures drop, RCX container wax is more likely to develop cracks. Soy based candles that cool too quickly in a cold environment may also show signs of polymorphism.
Cold temperatures can even impact how a finished candle burns. A candle made with the same materials, recipe and process may burn differently in winter than in summer if it is stored in a room without temperature control. In colder environments, candles tend to consume wax more slowly and are more prone to hang up.
The solution
The most important step when making candles in winter is to heat your studio and storage areas and keep them consistently between 18 and 25°C. Make sure all windows and doors are properly closed to prevent cold drafts from interfering with your work.
For plant based candles, keeping your supplies and especially your candle jars in a warm, room temperature environment helps reduce the risk of cracking and polymorphism. An added benefit is a more consistent working time, as wax melts much faster when it is not starting from a cold temperature.
During curing, it is equally important to prevent candles from getting too cold. Keeping them at 18 to 25°C for 48 hours after pouring greatly reduces the chance of surface cracks forming.
When working with paraffin candles, we recommend taking one extra step by preheating your vessels. Place them in an oven at 35 to 40°C for 10 to 15 minutes before pouring. This helps prevent jump lines and improves glass adhesion, ensuring the wax stays firmly attached to the vessel.
Finally, when testing your candles, always make sure they come directly from your temperature controlled studio or storage area. This ensures your burn test results are accurate and reliable.
Top 5 winter candle making tips
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Control your environment
Keep your workspace and storage areas between 18 and 25°C at all times to ensure consistent results. -
Warm your vessels
Especially in winter, preheating jars helps prevent adhesion issues, jump lines and cosmetic flaws. -
Store supplies at room temperature
Cold wax, fragrance oils and containers can lead to uneven melting and longer working times. -
Protect candles during curing
Let candles cure in a warm, stable environment for at least 48 hours to reduce cracking and surface imperfections. -
Test candles at the right temperature
Always test candles straight from your temperature controlled space to get accurate, repeatable burn results.
