Why Hand Pouring Matters

Here at Custom Wicks, we take so much pleasure and pride in our hand-poured candles. We believe there's something truly special about an item crafted with care and intention. Instead of a mass production line, each candle is made to order and personalised to our customer’s specifications.

In our candles, we use top-quality soy wax due to its natural, renewable, and biodegradable properties. Soy wax comes from the soybean, whereas other waxes, such as paraffin, are a petroleum bi-product. Using soy wax leads to a longer-lasting burn and less soot production, while offering a much better and cleaner scent throw. So not only is using soy wax better for the environment with its ability to naturally decompose, reducing landfill waste, it allows us to enjoy a beautiful scent with cleaner air.

The Art of the Perfect Pour

Hand-pouring ultimately leads to a superior candle. From wick placements to lighting the finished candle, we're able to take the care to ensure precision. Small details, like making sure the wick is central in the jar, are vital for an even burn pool, preventing tunnelling and making sure every bit of wax is used (see our 'Candle Care 101' blog for more tips).

We're also able to perfect temperature control. We know the best temperature to pour for optimum results and can adapt our wax melter accordingly. This is especially important given our location. As we're based in the Aberdeenshire Highlands, our summer might typically land on a Wednesday in mid-July! Knowing this, we can make sure the wax isn't too hot to cool evenly on any given day, which would otherwise result in a reduction in scent throw and an uneven finish.

When it comes to scent, hand-pouring allows us to carefully measure and blend our fragrance oils into the melted soy wax. It is then hand-stirred to evenly disperse the scent throughout the entire candle. This means the scent has a rich and consistent aroma from the first to the last light.

More Than Just Wax

Unlike mass-produced candles that may slip through quality checks, every single candle at Custom Wicks is individually inspected by hand. We're making sure the wicks are centred, the finishes are smooth, and the glass is flawless before it's packaged up.

We're also able to monitor the curing process. After pouring, the candles are given the time they need to cure. This is usually a few days, but it allows the wax and fragrance to bind perfectly. Having this patience ensures the best possible scent throw and burn when you finally light it.

So when you light and enjoy your Custom Wicks candle, just know that we have put love, care, expertise, and precision into each and every pour.