You can find molds in all sizes at most craft stores or online. Molds can be found make of silicon, aluminum, or plastic. For best results, choose pillar candle molds that are made of aluminum. They allow the wax to cool better, resulting in a smooth finish on the candles. They are also very durable. Many of the pillar candle molds have a built in wick holder, and this is a very nice feature. In addition, you will need a mold release spray suited for the type of mold you are using, as well as mold sealer.

To get started, decide on the size of candles you want to make and how many. Following is a basic candle recipe for a pillar candle 7 ” high and 2″ in diameter: 1 pound paraffin wax, 3 tablespoons stearin, and a cotton core wick.

Make sure you dip the wick into the melted wax before attaching it to the candle mold. This is called priming the wick. Submerge the wick into hot wax for 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, let the excess wax drip back into your melting pan. Let the wick cool for about a minute, then slowly run your fingers down the wick to release any air and straighten any kinks.

Keeping the wick in place can be tricky if your mold does not come with a built in wick holder. A good trick is to cut the wick several inches longer than you need. Then tie it to a pencil or skewer sitting across the top of the candle mold. This will ensure the wick is centered as the candle begins the cooling process. If necessary, use a small chuck of mold sealer to keep the wick stable.

Once your candle wax is at the proper temperature and you have incorporated any additives, immediately pour the hot wax into the pillar candle mold. The pour should be slow and steady. Titling the mold slightly will decrease agitation. Do not pour wax all the way to the top of the mold. You want to leave about one half inch unfilled. Then make sure the wax has remain firm and centered inside the mold.

TIP: Use a heavy spoon to tap sharply against the mold to release air holes. Make sure and check the wick has remained centered.

Once the top of the wax has started to become solid (about 30 minutes), you will need to add small relief holes to help with shrinkage. If you don’t create the relief holes your candles will get air pockets that keep them from hardening properly.

Once the candles have completely cooled, pour melted wax into the holes you created on the candle. Make sure the wax is the same temperature as the first time you poured. Do not over pour, or wax will seep down the sides of the candle, making it difficult to remove from the mold.

Allow the candle to completely cool down again. Your candles should slide out of the molds easily. If they don’t put them in the refrigerator for half an hour.

You may need to check the bottom of the candle for evenness. If the bottom is not perfectly even, the candle will not burn properly. To correct this, level the base by standing the candle up in a warm flat pan. This will cause it to melt enough to create a flat surface.

Your candles should be smooth and beautiful. If they need some smoothing, a tried and true method is to polish the surface with pantyhose. Make sure to trim the wick and let it set for 24 hours before burning your pillar candles.