A reliable thermometer is a must-have when candle making. You need one to ensure that the wax reaches the right temperature, and does not run the risk of overheating and burning.
You also need a thermometer to know when you should add in the dyes and fragrances. There is quite a range of thermometers on the market to choose from, but how do you know which to choose?
Which is the best thermometer for candle making? The best thermometer for candle making would probably be a digital thermometer, which can handle higher heat, and which can be placed into the candle wax to take the temperature further down. However, high quality infrared thermometer “guns” and candy thermometers can work well, too.
A poorly made candle is just a waste, of materials and of your time! You need a thermometer that is accurate and which has the right temperature range for candle making. Keep reading to find out how to choose the right thermometer, and our top picks at the moment!
Buyer’s Guide – Thermometer For Candle Making
Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing the best thermometer for candle making:
Type Of Thermometer
There are a few different types of thermometers to choose from, all of which work slightly differently.
The first option is a digital infrared thermometer (these are the temperature “guns” you will see in food service kitchens) which gives a fast and precise temperature reading while being completely contactless. The only problem with some lower-quality digital infrared thermometers is that they mostly only give the surface temperature of the candle wax.
The next option is a digital probe thermometer, which is much like the type of thermometer used to check the temperature in the middle of a steak. These thermometers have a steel probe that you can insert into the candle wax for a more accurate reading of the center of the wax.
Lastly, you could use a candy thermometer, which is built into a metal frame. These are non-digital, and the temperature is shown on a dial. These can often be clipped onto the side of the pot to give a permanent temperature reading of the candle wax. They work much like a probe thermometer.
Other options include a deep-fry thermometer or a two-piece thermometer that has a probe that can be placed into the candle wax and plugged into the temperature reader which is placed to the side of the pot.
Temperature Range
There is a specific temperature range needed when candle making, and you need to choose a thermometer capable of this temperature range.
The thermometer should be able to read from 100-190°F, depending on the type of wax you are using to make candles. If it can read higher or lower temperatures too, that’s great, because it will be more versatile. But you only need a thermometer to reach this range.
Ease Of Use
Make sure that the thermometer you choose is easy to use. One which can be held further above the hot wax while taking the temperature is sometimes ideal, as it reduces the chance of you burning yourself.
Some can be clipped onto the side of the pot to take a permanent reading, and others have a probe to help keep your hands away from the hot wax. As we said before, the probe is great for gauging the inner temperature of the wax.
Easy Cleaning
As you will be working with wax, and dried wax can be difficult to remove, it is a good idea to choose a thermometer that is easy to clean. Stainless steel probes are the easiest to clean as they can be wiped with a warm cloth to remove the wax.
Temperature Ranges By Candle Wax
As we said, you will need to know the temperature range for candle making when choosing the best thermometer to use. Not all thermometers handle that broad range of temperatures we gave earlier (100-190°F). So you may want to know if you can choose a high quality thermometer that only goes up to 130, for example.
The melting point of the wax, and therefore the temperature range you’ll need to use, both depend on the type of wax you are going to be using.
Paying attention to the wax temperature is so important in the candle-making process, as melting the wax at the right temperature, removing it from the heat at the right temperature, and adding in dyes and fragrances at the right temperature help to make better candles.
Here are some of the most common wax types and their ideal temperature ranges:
If you are using paraffin wax, the melting temperature is between 122-40°F. So make sure that the thermometer you choose can take readings between these points.
Soy wax melts at temperatures between 170-180°F, which is higher than paraffin wax, so you will need a thermometer capable of these higher readings.
Beeswax has a wider melting ranger, from 145-175°F (it should not reach any higher than this point).
If you are not sure what wax you are going to be using, or may wish to make multiple candle types, you can just get a thermometer that can be used for all the different waxes.
5 Best Thermometers For Candle Making
These are our 5 top picks for the best thermometers for candle making:
Rank | Product | Key Features |
---|---|---|
1. | Etekcity Infrared Thermometer 774 | Digital, temperature gun, -58 to 716 °F |
2. | DOQAUS Digital Meat Thermometer | Digital, probe style, -58 to 572 °F |
3. | Rubbermaid Instant Read Food Thermometer | Manual, probe style, 0 to 220 °F |
4. | Vilgen Kitchen Thermometer | Digital, probe style, -58 to 572 °F |
5. | Taylor Adjustable Head Digital Thermometer | Digital, probe style, -40 to 500 °F |
Any one of these would be a great choice for a variety of candle types. So read on and happy candle making!
1. Etekcity Infrared Thermometer 774
The Eteckcity Infrared Thermometer is one of the safest thermometers you can use for candle making. It is a no-contact thermometer, so you don’t need to get too close to the hot wax.
With better accuracy, the infrared thermometer can measure temperatures at greater distances and can be held up to 14-inches away from the surface of the candle wax.
The temperature range of the infrared thermometer is between -58-716°F, so it is way more than what you would need for candle making.
Thanks to this and the fact that it is contactless, you can use this thermometer in the kitchen, to test how well appliances like refrigerators are working, or in any other temperature-specific craft. A built-in laser gives the best precision possible, and you can easily view the temperature readings using the backlit LCD readings.
Not only is this a great thermometer to use for candle making, but it is such a handy tool to keep at home for a range of uses!
2. DOQAUS Digital Meat Thermometer
The Doqaus Digital Meat Thermometer offers an instant and accurate read when making candles at home. You will receive a precise temperature reading in under 3 seconds.
With a wide range of temperature readings, the thermometer can pick up on temperatures between -58-572°F and is accurate up to 1 degree.
The clear and reversible display allows you to read the temperature from all sides, and the bright and large LCD screen means you can read the temperature in the dark if ever needed.
The sensitive and long food probe made from 304 stainless steel can be inserted into the candle wax for an accurate reading at the temperature, so your wax never has to overheat!
3. Rubbermaid Instant Read Food Thermometer
If you prefer something more traditional, the Rubbermaid Food Thermometer is a great choice.
The thermometer dial displays the true temperature of food or candle wax and can read temperatures between 0-220°F, which covers the temperature range of candle making.
It is ideal to use in any kitchen for candle making, and the long probe is easy to clean. The shatterproof glass lens allows the thermometer to be long-lasting and dependable, which is exactly what you want when candle making.
Not needing batteries to work, you can always depend on this thermometer to give you an accurate reading, and to last you for years. A user calibration nut ensures long-lasting accuracy, so your candles turn out perfect each time!
4. Vilgen Kitchen Thermometer
This reliable digital thermometer can give temperature readings between -58-572°F, which covers all the possible temperature ranges of candle making.
To take a temperature reading, you simply insert the probe into the candle wax and the digital display will give you the reading almost instantly. As we said before, this probe type is especially handy for checking the internal temperature of the wax.
To keep the thermometer protected when not in use, it comes with a protective sheath that is also easy to store.
It is reliable, easy to use, and gives an instant reading, making it a good top choice for a thermometer to use when candle making at home!
5. Taylor Adjustable Head Digital Candy Thermometer
The Taylor Digital Candy Probe has a 1-inch digital LCD that makes the temperature easy to read from all angles. The temperature range of the thermometer is between -40-500°F, so it is perfect to use for candle making.
With a swivel head, you can adjust the angle of the reading for optimal viewing during the wax melting process, meaning there is no chance of the wax overheating. The clip on the probe of the thermometer allows you to clip it to the melting pot so that you can take a permanent reading.
Made from stainless steel, this thermometer will last many years in your candle-making craft!
Related Questions
Can I Use a Meat Thermometer For Candle Making?
While you often can use a meat thermometer for candle making, it is not always advisable to use a meat thermometer for candle making. The temperature range for meat thermometers can be limited, and you might land up having your wax be too hot or too cold.
Be sure to check the temperature range of any thermometer before purchasing it for candle making use.
Do I Need a Thermometer For Candle Making?
It is always best to have a thermometer for candle making. This allows you to keep a check on the temperature of the wax, and to determine when it is best to add in the dyes and fragrances.
You don’t want to go through all that effort just to get a poorly made candle!
Can I Use an Infrared Thermometer For Candle Making?
Yes, you can use an infrared thermometer for candle making. They usually have a temperature range which covers the temperatures needed for candle making.
In fact, it is quite safe to use these as the thermometer is contactless. It does not have to come into contact with the hot wax (and keeps your hands further away) – a benefit other thermometers can’t offer.
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