Soy Candle Tins with Dried Flower Tops

5 min read

Soy candle tins with dried flower tops look like a boutique purchase, but they are simple to make at home and cost a fraction of the price. A tin candle is portable, safe to burn, and easy to gift, while the dried flowers on top make each one unique. Soy wax is the best choice for beginners because it melts at a low temperature, cleans up with soap and water, and holds fragrance well. A batch of six tins takes about an hour, plus cooling time, and fills your home with a lovely scent.

Start with soy wax flakes, candle tins with lids, cotton wicks with tabs, a pouring jug, a thermometer, fragrance oil, and dried flowers or petals. Choose tins that hold about four ounces, which burn for fifteen to twenty hours and make a good gift size.

Choosing Wax and Tins

Soy wax comes in container wax and pillar wax, and you want container wax for tins, because it is softer and grips the sides of the tin as it cools. Pillar wax is harder and pulls away from containers, which leaves gaps and looks unfinished. Buy wax in flake form, since flakes melt faster and more evenly than a solid block. Check the wax label for the recommended pouring temperature, usually around 135 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit, and follow it closely.

Pick tins with tight-fitting lids, because a lid protects the candle in transit and keeps dust off the dried flowers. Gold, silver, and matte black tins all look elegant, so choose the finish that matches your decor or your gift wrapping. Wash and dry the tins before you pour, since dust or water in a tin causes bubbles and poor adhesion. Set the tins on a tray lined with newspaper to catch drips, and place them somewhere they can sit undisturbed while the wax cools.

Melting Wax Safely

Melt wax in a double boiler or in a pouring jug set inside a pot of simmering water, never directly over a flame. Direct heat can scorch the wax and, in the worst case, start a fire, so the water bath matters. Stir the flakes gently as they melt, and watch the thermometer, since soy wax should not go above 180 degrees. Remove the jug from the heat as soon as the flakes have melted, because overheated wax loses fragrance and can discolor.

Add fragrance oil after you take the wax off the heat, stirring gently for two minutes so the oil binds with the wax. Use fragrance oil made for candles, not essential oil blends meant for diffusers, since candle fragrance oils are tested for burn safety. Start with one ounce of fragrance per pound of wax, which gives a noticeable scent without overpowering the room.

Setting Wicks Straight

Center the wick in each tin before you pour, because a wick that leans to one side makes the candle burn unevenly and leaves wax on one side. Stick the wick tab to the bottom of the tin with a glue dot or a drop of melted wax, then hold the wick upright with a chopstick or a wick holder laid across the top. Check that the wick is centered by looking straight down into the tin, and adjust it before the wax sets. A centered wick is the single biggest factor in how well a candle burns.

Pour the wax slowly in a thin stream, filling each tin to about a quarter inch below the rim. Pouring too fast traps air bubbles, which leave holes on the surface as the candle cools.

Decorating with Dried Flowers

Add dried flowers while the wax is still soft but no longer liquid, pressing the petals gently into the surface so they stick. Place the flowers around the edge of the tin rather than over the wick, since petals near the wick can catch fire when the candle burns. Small flowers such as lavender buds, rose petals, and chamomile work best, because large flowers overwhelm a small tin. A few petals arranged in a crescent look more elegant than a tin covered edge to edge.

Press each petal down lightly with a toothpick and let the wax firm up around it, which locks the flower in place. If a petal pops off after the wax hardens, dab a tiny bit of melted wax underneath it and press it back down. Keep the flower layer thin, since a thick layer of dried petals can smolder when the candle is lit.

Curing and Burning Tips

Let soy candles cure for two or three days before you burn them, because curing lets the fragrance bind fully with the wax and gives a stronger scent. Put the lids on once the candles are fully cool, and store them in a cool, dark place until you are ready to use or gift them. On the first burn, let the candle burn until the melted wax reaches the edge of the tin, which sets the memory of the candle and prevents tunneling. Trim the wick to a quarter inch before every burn, and never leave a burning candle unattended.

Burn a tin candle for no more than three hours at a time, and keep it away from drafts, curtains, and pets. If the flame gets too large, blow the candle out, let it cool, trim the wick, and relight it.

Wrap up here, then dive into Mason Jar Candles With Farmhouse Labels — it pairs well with what you just read.

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