How to Make DIY Pillar Candles Using Triple Filtered Beeswax

There’s something incredibly calming about the warm glow of a handmade candle. Pillar candles, in particular, add a timeless touch to any space – whether it’s in your living room, dining room, or just for relaxation after a long day.

And the best part? You can make your own!

In this step-by-step tutorial, you will learn how to make beautiful, naturally scented pillar candles at home using triple-filtered beeswax, which burns clean and lasts a long time; and doesn’t just smell good- it looks good, too!

So, let’s get started!

Why Use Beeswax for Pillar Candles?

Beeswax is one of the best natural waxes that you can use for making candles. It burns cleaner and longer than most other waxes, it smells naturally sweet (without even adding fragrance), it’s chemically free/without any harmful substances. 

When making moulded candles (i.e., pillars), it is important to use waxes that shrink slightly as they cool, to help with getting them out of the mould. That’s why triple-filtered beeswax or dedicated pillar candle wax are ideal option.

AMC Supplies offers premium-grade, triple-filtered beeswax that’s perfect for DIY candle projects. It’s clean, easy to work with, and provides a gorgeous natural finish.

What You’ll Need

You don’t need a ton of tools to start making your own pillar candles. Here are the basics:

• Triple-Filtered Beeswax (or Pillar Candle Wax)
• Fragrance Oil (any of your favorite scents)
• Candle Dye (optional, for color)
• Pillar Candle Mould – AMC Supplies has a wide selection, from classic cylinder moulds to eye-catching diamond and cone shapes.
• Candle Wick
• Wick Holder or Wooden Stick
• Double Boiler Setup
• Pouring Pot
• Thermometer

How to Make Pillar Candles

Step 1: Melt the Wax

First, use the double boiler to melt your beeswax. Your pouring pot should be placed within a saucepan that has been filled halfway with water. To hold the pouring pot a little higher, it is preferable to place a trivet or cookie cutter at the bottom. Heat gently over medium-low heat.

Important: Do not leave melting wax unattended. If you ignore it, wax can overheat and catch fire. Aim for a temperature between 85°C and 100°C.

Step 2: Prepare Your Candle Mould

While the wax melts, prepare your mould.

Regardless of whether it is brand new, clean it with warm soapy water or a paper towel dampened with mould cleaner. 

Next, thread your wick through the hole in the bottom of the mould, leaving a few inches sticking out of the top; better too long than too short.

Use mould sealer or sticky putty to secure the wick at the base and prevent leaks. Smooth it out so your mould sits flat. At the top, use a wick holder (or even a pencil) to keep the wick centered.

Step 3: Add Fragrance Oil

Once your wax is at your ideal temperature, it is now time to add the fragrance. Add between 5-10% (e.g.: 5-10gm per 100gm wax). Stir gently but thoroughly to ensure that the fragrance oil is evenly mixed. 

Tip: Always check the flashpoint of your fragrance oil to make sure it is safe to add at the current wax temperature.

Step 4: Add Candle Dye (Optional)

If you want to add color, now’s the time.

AMC Supplies stocks a professional range of German-made candle dyes, including special “Black for Shading” pigments that deepen any color or create stunning monochrome candles.

Chop up your dye block or use a liquid dye and stir until fully melted and evenly distributed in the wax.

Step 5: Pour the Wax

Double check the temperature of your wax. Ideally, it should be between 85° and 95° before you pour.

Pour slowly into the mould. Be patient; pouring too fast can create bubbles or an uneven surface.

Fill the mould to just below the rim. You’ll save the rest of the wax for a second pour, which we’ll get to later.

Step 6: Poke Relief Holes

As your candle cools down, it will shrink slightly. Therefore, you may see air pockets in your candle. 

To help avoid this, you can leave a small gap of about 30-45 minutes after pouring and gently poke relief holes into the soft wax in the center with a skewer or chopstick, avoiding the sides of the mould.

You can repeat this a few times as the candle continues to cool and shrink.

Step 7: Second Pour

Once the candle has cooled and hardened (this may take a couple of hours), you may notice some small sink holes or pockets from the shrinkage of the candle when cooling.

Reheat your leftover wax to approximately 85°C. Then carefully top off your mould to fill the holes for a nice even surface.

Allow the candle to set-up completely before removing it from the mould.

Step 8: Unmould the Candle

You can unmould your candle after it has cooled fully, which could take a day.

Carefully remove the candle from the mould after removing the wick screw and mould sealant. If the candle is difficult to remove, place the mould in the freezer for around five minutes. The cold will cause the wax to contract, making it easier to remove from the mould. Once released, trim the wick to about 1/4 inch; that is the ideal length for a clean, steady burn.

Tips for Success

• When using moulds for candles, be sure to use pillar candle wax or beeswax, as these waxes have been specially designed to “shrink” slightly to help with mould release. 
• To make unique textures and shapes, check out some specialty moulds that we have available at AMC Supplies (such as the Diamond Pillar, Cone Pillar, or Cylinder Pillar Mould). 
• If you’re looking for a classic look, use black dyes or add “black for shading”! 
• Don’t forget to clean your moulds after every use. Wipe them down with isopropyl alcohol or wash them with warm water and mild soap.
• Finally, before storing the moulds, always make sure they are totally dry.

Final Thoughts

Creating your own pillar candles is a fun and creative hobby. It’s also a great way to create something that is beautiful, natural and made by you. 

No matter if you want to keep your candles for use at home or give them as gifts, using natural materials like triple-filtered beeswax makes all the difference. Beeswax will burn cleaner, smell better, last longer and look stunning. 

If you’re excited and ready to begin, AMC Supplies has everything you need, from high quality beeswax and fragrance oils to easy-to-use dyes and lots of different moulds for pillar candles. You can make candles that feel truly your own.

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