Candle Mould - Cube 4,5cm

01 · WHY BEESWAX RATHER THAN PARAFFIN

It stands the heat better

Beeswax melts between 61 and 65 °C, above most paraffins, which melt between 48 and 68. In a shop with afternoon sun, or at a July market, that shows: the piece holds its shape where a paraffin candle starts to round off at the corners.

02 · POURING

A flat face shows up the sink mark

Cut the wick longer than the mould, centre it and keep it taut with a stick laid across the top; close the mould with rubber bands. The wax must be fully melted, between 65 and 70 °C — its melting point is 61-65 — and poured slowly. As it cools the wax shrinks by about 10 %: it sinks around the wick, and you top it up with a second pour once the surface has set. When you release it, take the stick out and trim the wick to a centimetre.

03 · FIRST BURN

About two hours the first time

At 4.5 cm a side, this cube asks for roughly two hours the first time you light it. The wax needs that long to melt right out to the edge: put it out sooner and the pool stays narrow, after which the flame sinks down the middle and leaves a wall of unburnt wax. That is tunnelling, and there is no fixing it later.

04 · BEFORE YOU BUY