A basic candle kit can vary from supplier to supplier, but most contain enough material to produce one candle or more. The items that are generally found in a kit include fragrance, dyes, wick material, and the wax itself. Another variation might have gel instead of wax. Usually, necessary equipment isn’t provided in a kit, but more costly ones may have things like a food thermometer and pots for melting the wax. A few come with candle molds. Because wick selection is critical to the candle size, it is good to have that choice already made in a kit to prevent error on the part of a new candle maker. The instructions in a kit should inform of which wick to use for a particular candle and if more than one is required.

A more experienced chandler might speak to a supplier about the types of material and sizes of wick to purchase for a particular candle, but when first starting, it’s good to have decisions already made for you. Some selections in wicks are based on the preference of the candle maker, not just the size of the wick itself. At least with a kit, you know that the wick will do the job it is suppose to do, and you won’t make a critical mistake with that portion of the project. There will be time later to make other wick selections based on what you learn through practice.

There is a wide range in prices for candle kits based on how inclusive they are. One that has material enough for two dozen candles in the six-ounce range might cost seventy dollars. This kind of kit might include everything necessary to produce the candles except the means of heating the wax. This could be too large a kit if you haven’t decided to make more candles, or you don’t want to make that many candles at one time. You may want to get one that is less pricey. For lower priced kits, you will probably have to furnish your own equipment. Things like the thermometer and a double boiler pot might be items you already have and can use only for candle making. For around twenty-five dollars, you can get the fragrance, wax, wicks and other items in about half the quantity of the larger kit.