Everyone assumes we must hate our brutal Wyoming winters.
But I don’t. (Well, not most of the time at least.)
Starting in October, I implement our winter evening ritual, which makes me ridiculously happy and makes these long, dark winters much more tolerable–especially on the evenings when the wind howls and the snow hits the windows like gravel.
After putting the kitchen to bed for the evening with an empty sink and freshly-wiped counters, I make a sweep through the living room. The pillows are fluffed and the throws rearranged, while Christian packs the stove with enough wood to last through the night. Then lastly, I light a candle right before I settle into a good book or our latest Netflix binge. It’s the very best time of day.
Why I Don’t Burn (Most) Candles
I’ve had a love/hate relationship with candles over the years, and got rid of most of my candles years ago after I discovered how toxic it can be to burn paraffin, which is actually a petroleum by-product. Paraffin candles release a number of chemicals (some of them are known carcinogens) into the air, can greatly reduce your indoor air quality and even cause headaches, dizziness, or asthma attacks. Not to mention, lead-based wicks used to be a huge concern before they were banned in 2003. So if you have a collection of older candles with wicks of questionable origin, it’s probably best to avoid burning them altogether.
However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ever burn a candle again– there ARE safer alternatives such as beeswax, soy wax, and even tallow.
You can find my tutorials for how to make beeswax candles and how to make tallow candles here on the blog, but today, we’re tackling the topic of making homemade soy candles in a slow cooker.
Yup, you read that right– a slow cooker!
DIY Soy Candles Video Tutorial
The Benefit of Making Candles in a Slow Cooker
Let me just say– if you hate doing dishes, especially impossible-to-clean waxy dishes, this is the candle making method for you.
I used to melt my candle wax (whether it was soy, beeswax, or tallow) in a separate pot before pouring it into my candle jars or containers. That works, but it leaves a residue in the pot that’s miserable to remove.
These slow cooker candles allow you to melt the wax right in the jars, which makes clean-up a breeze. However, if you don’t have a slow cooker or rather would not use yours for this, you can also just place the wax-filled jars in a small saucepan filled with several inches of water and heat it on your stovetop. The results will be the same– quick melting and minimal clean-up.
Making Soy Candles with Essential Oils
Would you be surprised to hear this essential oil fanatic say that essential oils aren’t the best candle making ingredients?
Well, there. I said it.
Essential oils (yes, even the very best, most pure ones) just aren’t strong enough to give a candle that ultra-strong scent that most of us are accustomed too. If you do decide to use essential oils, expect to use a LOT– even for very mildly-scented candles. (As in 80 drops per jar…)
Therefore, if you want a SUPER smelly candle, it’s probably best to stick with fragrance oils designed for candle making (although I can’t vouch for any personally).
So here’s my best advice: Either skip the essential oils in your candles altogether, or be content with a much milder candle.
And then if you want a naturally-scented house, use an essential oil diffuser instead. A diffuser will use FAR less essential oil and give the room a much stronger scent. I actually much prefer using essential oils to scent my home (versus relying on candles to do that), as they also provide therapeutic benefits at the same time. (These are the essential oils I love the most, by the way.)
That being said, if you still want to add essential oils to your candles, I’ve included some of my favorite combos below.
How to Make Soy Candles in a Slow Cooker
You Will Need:
- Soy wax – about 6-7 ounces per half-pint jar (I got this soy wax on Amazon (affiliate link))
- Wicks (I got these from Amazon (affiliate link))
- Essential oils (these ones are my fav)
- Small mason jars (half-pint or smaller) or non-porous repurposed containers
- A slow cooker
Instructions:
Fill the slow cooker with 2 to 3 inches of hot water.
Fill your containers or jars completely full with wax, then place them in the slow cooker with the lid on.
It takes about 1.5-2 hours for my slow cooker to completely melt all the wax, but yours might be slightly faster or slower, depending on the model. The good news? You don’t have to babysit the cooker at all– just walk away and come back to check when you think of it.
Best Essential Oil Combos for Candles
- Bergamot + Patchouli
- Clove + Cassia + Siberian Fir
- Rosemary + Lemon
- Lemongrass + Geranium
- Wild Orange + Peppermint
(These are my favorite essential oils– I use them for MUCH more than just candles)
Homemade Soy Candle Tips
- Check your local thrift stores for unique tea cups or mugs to use as candle containers (just make sure that whatever container you choose is non-porous and
- It’s reeeaaalllly important that you keep your wicks in the middle of the jar– otherwise, the candle won’t burn evenly, which is super annoying.
- Of course, you can totally use beeswax or tallow to make these candles instead of soy wax, if you like
Cost Breakdown for Homemade Soy Candles
Based on what I paid for my wicks and soy wax on Amazon:
7 ounces of wax (enough for a half-pint jar) = $1.00
Wicks = 18 cents each
Half-pint jar = 58 cents each (or free if you have a stash in your canning closet!)
That brings us to a grand total of $1.76 per half-pint candle, which is pretty darn good in my opinion. Even if you dress them up a bit with some ribbon and greenery, that’s a thoughtful, handmade, and very cost-effective homemade gift.
My Candle Making Segment on Fox31 Denver!
I love this! I recently started toying around with candle making, and have in-fact been using soy. I’m definitely doing this for sure as you are totally right about that messy clean-up! Thanks for the great tip <3
So fun! Have you found certain scents you like to use, or do you leave yours unscented?
I have actually been doing holiday type scents like apple, sugar cookie, etc. for holiday gifts for my co-workers and friends ???
Those sound amazing!
Can you share how you achieve these scents? ?
I love how you decorated the jars! My daughter and I are going to make some this weekend. Thank you for the great idea! P.S.The link didn’t work for the wax. What brand do you recommend?
I just fixed the link! 😉
Have you tried making larger candles (like pint or quart jars) with this method? I love candles and would go through a half-pint size in no time!
I haven’t tried quart size, but it should work as long as you have a wick that is long enough!
Jill, Thank you so much for this! I’ve been researching making my own votives for all my Glassybabys but it looked like a total pain. This method is sooo simple! You continue to amaze me!! I’m heading to Goodwill for unique containers to make candles for gifts as well!
Happy candle making Kathryn! And yes– the thrift store is a great place for containers!
Perfect timing for you to post this. I have been saving jars all year. This will be my first effort and your method seems absolutely perfect. Something I am wondering, is there anything safe but decorative I could add to the wax itself? I can just embellish the outside as you have done, but I’m thinking about what other options are possible/advisable.
Yay for good timing! Hmm… I haven’t tried adding anything to the wax itself– although I know that some candle makers do add a coloring of sorts, so that may be an option.
I would like to try it with the beeswax but I’m not sure where to get it from. Any recommendations?
This looks like a perfect teacher’s gift! Thanks for the great instructions and the clear pictures. Your soy wax link needs fixing. Is there a brand you prefer? Do you think it’s important to use organic here?
Just fixed the link! 🙂 I think organic is probably a good idea– I linked the soy wax I purchased most recently, but I’m not necessarily super loyal to it. I just learned that sometimes soy wax can be mixed with fillers… so for my next round I may look for a more “pure” version. 🙂
I love this way of making candles, it looks so easy! I am definitely going to try it this way with the soy wax. I’ve never tried soy before, just beeswax. Thanks for the tutorial!
Yes– totally easy! And this method works for beeswax too– I use it as well sometimes. 🙂
Thank you so much! I am excited to make these. Is there another way effective way to scent these candles? I’m not against essebtials oils…I just haven’t used them and know they are pretty pricey.
You can use fragrance oils designed for candle making if you’d rather not use essential oils 🙂
This looks amazing!! I can’t wait to try it. I’ve attempted to make candles before, but on the stove was just too labor intensive and HOT. Using the CrockPot looks so much easier, and way less messy. I also can’t wait to try some of your EO combos. Thanks so much for sharing!
It’s ridiculous how easy it is! Happy candle making!
Hey Jill, I must be one of the last to learn your candle making technique. It is awesome and so easy.My only problem comes with putting the wick in. I can’t seem to get it to center and have it straight. Would appreciate any little tibits of knowledge to help with my “problem”. Thank you in advance.
What type and size wick for 1/2 pint candlex
OMG! This is genius! Always want to make candles, but usually too messy, takes too many steps but…..they turned out PERFECT!!! I used beeswax & had some cute little jars that I had purchased Creme Brulee in them at Costco. Filled my need to create the easy way & now have some little Xmas gifts. Thank you soooo much, & it came at the perfect time. PS. eating the Creme Brulee was the best part
My mind is completely blown. I’ve never thought of making candles in a slow cooker. I’ve always wanted to try making candles and soaps but have so many interests that I just haven’t. These look so simple and fun, I think I’ll have to give them a try!
Good idea! My kids love to burn candles this time of year, something about the “hygge”. It’s not easy to find soy/bee’s wax candles in Wyoming. This would be a fun homeschool craft:)
Appreciating the persistence you put into your website and in depth information you provide. It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same out of date rehashed information. Wonderful read! I’ve bookmarked your site.
this candles making blog is so great. i think that anyone can make a candles by following this
All this time I didn’t know why I was allergic to candles! The make my eyes burn and my nose run. So, I just gave up on having them in my home. Can’t wait to try this! Thanks Jill!
I have beeswax, the recipe I currently have you have to do so much beeswax and so much coconut oil…for your recipe, do you have to add any oils to the beeswax if your doing those instead of soy wax?
I’m sorry that it took you so long to figure this out, but I’m so glad that you finally did! And that you’re making the switch!
Hi Jill, I always thought many purchsed candles were waaaaay too strongly scented. Mild scent would be wonderful! This sounds like a wonderful option! No wonder the retail candle shops give you headaches! All th0se unwanted “extras”! I’m definitely going to try this!!
Yes! That’s very true. I hope they come out well for you when you make them! 🙂
Instead of using essential oils (given that it takes so much of that), would it work to use flavored (and thus scented) extracts (ex. from Watkins) – ex. peppermint, vanilla, etc.?
I personally haven’t done this, but I think it could work? Make sure to come back and let us know how it worked if you try it! 🙂
Do you think one could add dried or even fresh lavender leaves and/or dried/fresh rosemary leaves?
I was curious if fresh herbs like sage & rosemary added during the melting process would scent the candles?
Do you have a link for fragrance oils that are safe. I would love to use them, but I want to make sure I’m not using harmful chemicals. Thanks
This is so much fun! Any recommendation for a good slow cooker?
hey! it seems fun. please recommend me good slow cooker
Good idea! My kids love to burn candles this time of year, something about the “hygge”. It’s not easy to find soy/bee’s wax candles in Wyoming. This would be a fun homeschool craft:)
Do you think other types of containers (e.g. thrifted tea cups) would hold up to the heat of the crockpot?
It depends on the material of the container. You would have to do google searches for the heat temp tolerance of the containers you want to use.