Gel candle making can be made for fun or profit. They have become popular because they do not include any by-products of oil. They are often available at farmer's markets, flea markets, craft shows and swap meets as a handcrafted item made by someone who is creating a home-based business. This article will give you a good overview of what gel candle making products are needed, some safety precautions, but no specific recipes to make gel candles.

Making gel candles is very popular with environmentalists, as 95% of the gel is made from mineral oil; the remainder is made from a powdered polymer which turns to gel when mixed with the oil and heated. There are three different thicknesses of polymer. CLP is the least thick, while CMP is thicker, and CHP is the thickest. Because of its thickness, CHP is the best to use if you want to use a fragrance or imbed anything into the gel.

If you wish to do gel candle making, you will have to assemble a double boiler, an accurate thermometer which will tell you when the gel is ready, and a tall metallic or plasticized spoon. It is said that one shouldn't use a wooden spoon since it causes undesirable bubbling in the mixture. Naturally you'll also need some sort of containers into which you can pour your ingredients.

One of the best ways you can prevent heat related accidents is to use glass or metal containers. You can douse chemical fires with fire extinguishers, which are a good all-purpose addition to your basic kitchen equipment. They come in two different types, which can you choose to select your specific needs. You can also protect your body from heat and chemical spills by wearing safety glasses, gloves, and an apron. Most of these are just precautions, but always remember: safety first.

You will more than likely want to add color and possibly fragrance to your original craft. The dye must be liquid and it is probably best that you buy the dye with your polymer. Clothing, food and soap dye will not work, could spoil the looks and might make it burn improperly. If you are using fragrance this too should be purchased from someone who has already tested the fragrance to mix with the gel mix.

Your original creation, made with mineral oil, generally burns longer than conventional wax. With oil prices being so high, this could be a great alternative to wax. These make good gifts for many occasions, and for a lot of us, handcrafted gifts are preferable to things which are made overseas. Be careful when you create the lovely long burning objects and use common sense as well. Bear in mind that you must not imbed anything which would burn; this is sensible. Most of all, just have fun, be careful, and be sure you test and label all of the handcrafted creations you make.