The short answerMost beginners should buy a soy wax kit with a pouring pitcher, thermometer, wicks and tins for $25 to $45. It makes about 4 to 8 small candles, and you keep the pitcher and thermometer.
What to buy
No hot wax, good with kids
Beeswax sheet rolling kit
You roll honeycomb sheets around a wick, so there's nothing to melt. The candles burn faster than poured ones and you can't add scent.
$12 to $25
See options on Amazon →Most beginners
Soy wax kit with pouring pitcher, thermometer, wicks and tins
Soy melts at a low temperature and washes up with hot soapy water. The scent is gentler than a store candle, and tops can set a little bumpy.
$25 to $45
See options on Amazon →Refills once you're hooked
10 lb bag of soy container wax
Buying wax in bulk costs far less per candle than another kit. Container wax is too soft for free-standing pillar candles.
$25 to $45
See options on Amazon →Fixing tunnels and smoke
Wick assortment in several sizes, with metal tabs
Having 3 or 4 sizes lets you test what suits your jar. It's trial and error, so expect to burn a test candle or two.
$8 to $15
See options on Amazon →Links go to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
What the numbers mean
- Wax type
- Soy is the beginner pick for jar candles and cleans up with soap. Paraffin gives stronger scent, and beeswax burns long with a light honey smell but costs the most.
- Wick size
- Wicks are sized to the jar's width, not its height. Too small and the candle tunnels down the middle, too big and it smokes and soots.
- Fragrance load
- The amount of scent oil by weight of wax. Most container waxes take 6% to 10%, about 1 to 1.6 oz per pound, so check your wax's stated limit.
- Pour temperature
- Wax has a best temperature for adding scent and for pouring, printed on the bag. That's why the thermometer matters.
- Cure time
- How long a candle rests before burning. Soy smells strongest after 1 to 2 weeks, and paraffin is ready in a few days.
What not to pay for
- Crayons for color
Crayon pigment clogs the wick and the candle sputters out. Use dye chips or liquid dye made for candles.
- Extra scent for a stronger candle
Past the wax's limit, the oil seeps out and pools on top, and it can catch fire. More isn't stronger.
- Any old glass from the cupboard
Thin or chipped glass can crack from the heat. Use tins or jars sold as heat-safe candle containers.
Never leave melting wax unattended, and never melt it straight on a burner. Use a double boiler (a pitcher sitting in a pot of simmering water) and a thermometer. If wax catches fire, smother it with a lid and never use water.
Questions
Why did my candle tunnel down the middle?
Either the wick is too small for the jar or the first burn was too short. On the first burn, let the melted wax reach the edges. That takes about 1 hour per inch of jar width.
Is soy wax better than paraffin?
It's friendlier for beginners because it melts low and cleans up with soap. Paraffin gives a stronger scent and smoother tops. Both burn fine with the right wick.
How much wax fills a jar?
Wax weighs less than water. A jar that holds 8 fl oz takes about 6.5 to 7 oz of wax by weight. Weigh your wax on a kitchen scale and melt a little extra.
Written by the DIY Project team. We recommend by type and spec, cheapest option that does the job first. How we check
Updated October 3, 2026. Prices are estimates.