Are you a newbie candle maker and wondering how to properly cure your candles? Unsure whether the candle lid should be on or off during the curing process? In this article, we will explore the best way to cure your candles.
You should cure candles with the lid on so that it can have a good scent throw and avoid collecting dust while it cures. You also allow your candle to provide a slow and even burn when it is first lit.
Candles need to be cured once poured, so it’s important to learn how to do it correctly so you can produce amazing candles. Let’s discover what you need to do and the purpose behind curing your candles with the lid on instead of off.
Curing Candles With Or Without Lids?
The curing of your candles is an important stage in the candle-making process. You do not want to rush or skip this step or else you are likely to have candles that do not perform very well, even if you follow the previous steps in the process correctly.
You want to cure your candles with the lids on after it has initially cooled down after pouring. Once you pour your candle, you can keep the lid off while the wax cools down as you don’t want the fragrance oil to evaporate and cause imperfections on the surface of the wax.
However, when it is not too warm, you can put the lid on and keep it in a cool and dry place.
Give your candles time to cure, between three and fourteen days depending on the wax used. You then can light your candle or sell your candle for someone else to enjoy. If your candles do not have lids, you can put some cardboard over the top of them or use some other material to place them over the top of the candle.
By curing your candles properly, you will create a candle that burns evenly and slowly. It will have a wonderful, rich scent and you will experience less soot build-up in the candle.
Why You Should Use A Lid During The Curing Process
Here are the three main reasons why using a lid is highly recommended for the candle curing process.
- The lid on top of the candle keeps the candle wax clean from dust and debris in the environment, so you have a beautiful, clean candle.
- By using a lid, you give the fragrance oil a space to retain its oil in and not escape. This way your candle will have a great scent throw, both cold and hot.
- A lid will protect the candle from anything happening around it, such as kids, pets, and more.
By not using a lid, you are ultimately exposing your candle to the air and environment, which may not be beneficial for the longevity of the candle – so always consider the lasting impact your decision may make.
Why You Need To Cure Your Candles
After making a candle at home, you need to give it time to cure. The curing time is the time between when you pour the candle and when it is lit and ready to use. The main two things that happen during the curing process are:
- The wax hardens into a semi-solid form (the wax is solid but the fragrance is liquid at room temperature)
- The fragrance oil can bind to the candle wax
The cooling of the candle after it has been poured allows the wax to harden. Some soft natural waxes like soy wax will continue to harden over their life because it is polymorphic, while waxes such as paraffin may only take one or two days to completely harden.
Wax and fragrance don’t chemically react with each other. Therefore, the curing process allows the fragrance oil to be dispersed evenly throughout the candle as it hardens. Some fragrance and wax blends may require more time than others, so it is key to experiment with them and to give them plenty of time to cure.
When it comes to candle making, trial and error are key, always refining and taking notes on how things went is very important to end up with a successful candle that you want and that other people will love too if you are planning on selling your candles or giving them to friends or family members as gifts.
Ultimately, curing candles will enable you to have a hard and great-smelling candle that can be used. The table below shows a duration guide about how long to cure your candles depending on the type of candle wax used. It shows six different types of candle wax, including soft, natural waxes, and manmade waxes.
Candle Curing Time
| Wax Type | Curing Process Duration |
| Soy Wax | 10 – 14 Days |
| Paraffin Wax | 3 – 5 Days |
| Parasoy Wax | 7 – 10 Days |
| Coconut Wax | 14 Days |
| Beeswax | 7 – 10 Days |
| Palm Wax | 7- 10 Days |
From this table, we can see that the curing time varies between the different waxes. The harder waxes need less time to cure compared to the softer waxes. Many candle makers are impatient and are happy to sell or light their candles in a shorter amount of time, but this may affect the overall life and quality of the candle.
If you did want a short cure time for your candles, then you could consider the type of candle wax you are using first before you start candle making. However, if the cure time doesn’t concern you and you are happy to give the candle time to cure, then don’t be afraid to create candles from soft waxes such as soy or coconut wax.
Using Your Candle Lid
Whether or not you use your candle lid once you first use your candle is often down to personal preference. Keeping your lid on the candle even after the curing process and when the candle is not in use can be a great idea to maintain the care and quality of your candle. You keep it clean and clear and avoid any contamination from outside sources.
While your candle is burning, you can place it on the lid to protect the surface on that you are lighting your candle. The lid can absorb the heat and avoid any indents or damage to some pieces of furniture that may happen because of the heat of the candle.
Some candles with lids look great as decorative pieces. You may not light your candle much, but you may enjoy looking at it and perhaps smelling it now and again.
Some people use the lid to put their candles out to avoid creating smoke and soot. However, if you do so, you want to ensure there is nothing flammable on the end, such as plastic lip around the edge or anything that can be hazardous.
On the other hand, if you find your candle lid is useless after the curing process, if you have made it yourself, you can get rid of it. Although if you are selling it, customers may like it delivered with a lid and they can then make a decision whether they want to keep it or not.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happens If You Don’t Let Your Candle Cure?
If you don’t give your candle time to cure, it will not perform well. It will not be long-lasting and it will not have much of a scent as you haven’t given the fragrance oil the time or capacity to disperse around the candle wax.
Are Candle Lids Necessary?
Candle lids are not necessary, but they do enhance the overall quality of the candle as it keeps it clean and fragrant. It can protect the candle from anything from the environment and also look great. If you don’t want the lid, then that is fine. You do not need to use it.
Can I Cure My Candle In The Fridge?
It is not recommended to place your candles in the fridge to cure. Avoid curing your candle in the fridge, as this can cause the wax to become brittle and crack. You do not want to force the cooling and hardening process or else deformities can occur in the candle’s appearance and in its performance.
Final Words
To conclude, candles should be cured with lids on them to enhance the overall final product. You want a great-smelling and presentable candle, whether you are using it just for yourself or whether you are selling it to a customer. Take pride in the candles that you make and take the time to cure your homemade candles properly to create a long-lasting and efficient candle!
