DIY Tapered Candle Making: Everything You Need to Know
- Patrick McCarthy
- Jan 20
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 5
How to Make Your Own Tapered Candles
Nothing beats making things from scratch.
Tapered candles are a timeless object. Particularly if you are using beeswax and hand-dipping techniques as this process has been around for thousands of years! Ancient Egyptians made wicked beeswax candles, and Romans dipped wicks in tallow (rendered animal fat).

Getting Started
You need a metal pot that is long enough for your candle and can withstand heat without releasing anything nasty. This doesn’t have to be expensive. As it happens, we once chased a lady down the street who was recycling a big vegetable oil tin from a local restaurant. After taking the top off at home somewhat dangerously, we had our first big vessel! You could ask a local restaurant if you can have a tin once they are done with it. Just be aware that you will need to remove the top—a good can opener might work, but industrial ones are a better option.
You also need something that the vessel can sit in to keep it in a hot water bath. Personally, we made a pasta pot sacrifice. Just make sure that it is safe to have on an open flame.
Choosing Materials
Once you have your vessels, you need to start thinking about materials. Luckily, there are only a few to consider: wax type, wick type, and optional natural colouring.
There are several wax types, including but not limited to: beeswax, soy wax, coconut wax, rapeseed wax, and paraffin. I will go through the pros and cons in a future post.
You also have a choice of wicks, such as cotton or hemp. Just be sure to avoid any with a metal core. Lastly, if you do want to add colour to your candles, you can purchase candle pigments, or you can add something from your kitchen like paprika or turmeric. Making your own pigments is something else I am experimenting with!
The Candle-Making Process
When we first started making our own candles, we were using our little boy’s toy sword to make more than one set at a time by draping several wicks over the blade and lowering them into the wax. You don’t need to use a metal frame or even a children’s sword for that matter—your hands will work just fine; it will just be a slower process. As always, go ahead with caution—you are working with a vat of hot wax, after all. We waited until the kids were in bed.
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Set up your wax melting station in a well-ventilated area. Fill your large pot with water and place your wax-holding tin inside it, creating a double boiler. Gently heat the water and allow the wax to melt slowly. We found that because the wax is lighter, you need to add water to your wax container to keep it anchored. The wax will melt and remain at the top of the container. Keep topping up with water to keep the wax near the brim of your tin, this ensures your candles don't hit the bottom and can always be dipped to the same point every time.
Step 2: Cut Your Wicks
Cut wicks to double the length you want your candles to be, adding a few extra inches so you can hold onto them as you dip. Tie small metal washers to the ends of the wicks to help them stay straight.
Step 3: Dip and Build Layers
Once the wax is fully melted, hold the wick with both hands, leaving at least 4cm between your fingers. Imagine you are a giant, holding a tiny t-shirt between your thumb and index fingers. Dip it into the wax all the way so that the wax nearly touches your fingertips. Technique is important here. You can go in slowly but you must remove the wicks in a very quick, fluid, straight motion. Do not re-dip, do not shake them, let the wax rush down and when they have stopped dripping, hang them up. The tapered shape builds by the hot wax rushing down the wick and cooling rapidly as it does so, more wax gathers at the bottom because by the time it reaches this point, it has cooled somewhat and become more viscous. You may find that the candles stick together if you were not straight enough in your removal, you can try gentle shimmying them apart by moving your fingers up and down, or have a friend slide a knife between them. After removing the wick, drape it over a rail and let it cool for a few minutes before dipping again. Repeat this process, allowing the wax to build up layer by layer.
Step 4: Shape and Smooth
Once your candles have reached the desired thickness, whilst still warm, trim off the metal washers. You can dip just the bottoms to finish them off and leave then you can leave them to cool. If you wish to make them very straight and smooth, you can gently roll them between some glass panes whilst they are still warm.. (tip: you can use your shelves from your fridge!)
Step 5: Hang to Cure
Find a spot where your candles can hang and fully harden—this can be a rack, a line of string, or even a wooden dowel. Let them cool completely before using.

Final Thoughts
Making your own tapered candles is a beautiful, meditative process that connects you to an ancient craft. Whether you’re using beeswax for a natural, honey-scented finish or experimenting with different colours and wax types, each candle is uniquely yours. Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about lighting a candle you made yourself.
If you try this process, I’d love to hear about your experience! Let me know what wax you used and if you experimented with natural colours. Happy candle-making!

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