February 14, 2025

Wax should be as clean as possible. Filter through kitchen towel (Regina Blitz is an excellent brand).

Keep temperature to 70oC max so that the wax melts, but any propolis is captured on the surface of the paper towel. This ensures the wax remains very yellow in colour, and all debris is removed.

Wax Blocks (large and small)

Ensure all moulds are scrupulously clean and dry. Pour the wax slowly but continuously into each mould. Pouring from a low height will ensure that you don’t get a ‘tidal wave’ of wax up the side of the container. Wax cools very quickly, so to avoid a wavy surface avoid walking anywhere near them for at least ½ hour after pouring.

One method for large blocks is to place the correct amount of cleaned wax into a well-polished container (glass is best for this). Place into an electric oven and heat to no more than 70oC. When all the wax is melted, switch the oven off and leave to go completely cold.

Large Blocks (Photo by Sue Lang)

Small wax blocks should all weigh the same, or at least no more than 2g from heaviest to lightest. Making a larger number at the same time allows you to choose the best specimens that all weigh the same.

Small Blocks (Photo by Sue Lang)

Once the wax is completely cold the best way to remove it from the container(s) without any damage is to freeze it for an hour, causing enough shrinkage for it to pop out easily.

The colour should be ‘buttercup yellow’. The judge will use a torch to check clarity and will also smell the wax.

Wax blocks are usually shown on white paper plates, however you can use a China plate or lined wooden or plastic box. Always use a light coloured material, and avoid felt or velvet as fluff from them will stick to the wax, particularly if the room is hot.

Candles

Candles are all about safety. Ensure your candles fit the holder you present them in, and that they are safe to light and can be left burning for at least 20 minutes.  The Wax should be very clean – any specs of water, propolis or other debris may cause the candle to splutter and spit hot wax, potentially a fire hazard.

Ensure the correct width of wick is used for the diameter of the candle. Using the correct thickness of wick means all the wax will be burnt safely. Too thick and the candle wax will burn too quickly causing guttering. Too thin and only a small area around the wick will burn leaving a small pool of hot wax which could cause damage/fire if the candle was knocked over.

 

Wick Issues (Photo by Sue Lang)

Pooled Wax (Photo by Google)

Make a test candle first to ensure the wick is the ‘right way up’. Loose ends burn like ‘Cauliflower Ears’. Be careful not to pull the wick too tight in the moulds, they are made up of a number of strands and can cause ‘Pigs Tails’ when burnt.  The wick should be central to the candle (check the base), and for moulded and rolled candles, the wick should be pre-dipped to ensure it lights easily.

Well-made Dipped Candles will always gain more points than Moulded candles due to the amount of skill involved.

Rolled candles should be rolled very tightly and evenly. The base should be flat, and the wick central. Air gaps will cause the wick to splutter and burn unevenly.