The Minimum List
You can start making candles with very little. Here's what you actually need:
1. Heat Source
Double boiler setup: a large pot with water, a smaller pot or jug sitting in it.
You probably own the pots already. Don't buy a dedicated wax melter until you're making 20+ candles per week.
2. Thermometer
Non-negotiable. Temperature matters for fragrance binding, pouring, and avoiding problems.
Digital probe thermometer. £10-15. Instant read, accurate, easy to clean.
Don't rely on guessing or the wax "looking ready."
3. Pouring Jug
Something with a spout to pour wax from. Can be a dedicated wax jug, a large Pyrex measuring jug, or a metal pitcher.
Metal retains heat better. Glass lets you see the wax level. Either works.
4. Scale
Digital kitchen scale. Accurate to 1g. £10-20.
You need to weigh wax and fragrance oil. Measuring by volume doesn't work - wax and oil have different densities.
5. Stirring Tool
Metal spoon, silicone spatula, or dedicated wax stirrer. Something that won't melt or leave fibres in your wax.
Wooden spoons absorb fragrance and can splinter. Avoid.
6. Containers or Moulds
Whatever you're making candles in. Glass jars, tins, silicone moulds for pillars.
Start with a consistent container size. Test your wick in that size. Expand later.
7. Wicks and Wick Holders
Wicks appropriate for your wax and container size.
Wick centering tools or wooden sticks to hold the wick in place while wax sets.
Wick stickers or hot glue to stick the wick tab to the bottom.
Nice to Have (Not Essential)
Heat Gun
For smoothing tops after setting, fixing small imperfections. £15-30.
Useful, but you can manage without at first.
Dedicated Wax Melter
Temperature-controlled pot for melting large batches. £50-150.
Worth it when you're scaling up. Overkill for hobby level.
Wick Trimmers
Angled scissors designed for trimming wicks. Mostly for selling with candles.
Regular scissors work fine for your own testing.
Storage Containers
Airtight containers for storing wax, preventing moisture absorption.
Important for long-term storage. For beginners using wax quickly, the original bag is fine.
What NOT to Buy Yet
Industrial Equipment
Large melters, filling machines, production-scale tools. Wait until you need them.
Most hobby makers never do. Don't invest until demand justifies it.
Every Wick Type
Start with one wick series (e.g., ECO or LX). Master it before trying others.
Buying 10 different wick types creates confusion, not options.
Specialised Moulds
Intricate silicone moulds for shapes you'll make once and never again.
Start simple. Add variety once you know what sells.
Setup Costs
Realistic minimum to start:
- Thermometer: £15
- Scale: £15
- Pouring jug: £10
- Stirring tools: £5
- Wick holders: £5
- First batch of wax (2kg): £20
- First fragrance oils (2-3): £15
- Wicks and stickers: £10
- Containers (10): £15
Total: roughly £100-110
You can spend less if you improvise (use kitchen pots, existing jars). You can spend more on premium equipment. £100 is a realistic starting point for proper supplies.
Upgrading Later
As you scale:
- Wax melter - when double boiler becomes too slow
- Larger scale - when you're measuring 5kg+ batches
- Professional thermometer - faster reads, more durable
- Multiple pouring jugs - for different colours or fragrances
- Heat gun - for finishing touches
One Thing to Get Right
The thermometer. Everything else you can improvise. Temperature control you cannot.
Wrong temperature when adding fragrance = weak scent throw.
Wrong pouring temperature = surface problems.
Get a decent thermometer. Use it every time.