SoftOwl Premium Soy Candle Making Kit review

Are you ready to make your own scented candles that look polished, smell amazing, and make great gifts?

First Impressions of the SoftOwl Premium Soy Candle Making Kit – Black Edition – Full Set with Electric Melter – Soy Wax, Big 16 Tins, 8 Pleasant Scents, 8×2 Color Dyes & More – Perfect as Home Decorations

When you open the box, you immediately notice how complete the kit feels. The packaging is neat and giftable, and everything is arranged so you can see right away that this is more than a basic starter set.

You get an aesthetic black theme with the tins and a clean set of tools. That first visual impression matters because it sets the tone for the whole experience — you feel like you can actually make attractive finished candles without hunting for extras.

What’s Included

This kit includes a lot of items designed to minimize extra purchases. You’ll find basic tools, decorative extras, and consumables for multiple candle projects.

Below is a clear breakdown of major items so you can quickly see what you get and how much is included.

That table shows the breadth of the kit. You’ll appreciate not having to guess what to buy next; it’s a relatively complete package for repeat candle making sessions.

Box & Packaging

The box design is gift-ready and thoughtfully laid out. You’ll find compartments or neat arrangements that help prevent breakage and make finding pieces simple.

The black tins stand out as the visual centerpiece. If you’re planning to give these as gifts, the presentation alone sells a lot of quality.

Contents Breakdown and Practical Use

Each item has a clear intended use and most are sized so you can make multiple candles without reordering supplies right away. The pipettes let you dose fragrance reliably, the glue dots keep wicks straight, and the dye blocks provide mix-and-match color control.

You’ll likely use a set of two or three supplies together: wax + fragrance + dye + wick. The kit hedges well against missing pieces that often frustrate beginners.

Setting Up & First Use

Getting started is straightforward, and the electric melter reduces several safety and handling concerns compared with stove-top double boilers. You’ll still want to set up on a protected surface and have a heat-resistant mat for the tins.

Prepare a clean workspace, lay down newspaper or silicone mat, and gather a measuring cup or digital scale if you have one. The kit’s instructions are simple enough, but a scale will help you replicate consistent results once you’re past the trial candle.

Electric Melter & Melting Process

The included electric melter is one of the strongest selling points for beginners. You’ll avoid open flame while melting, and temperature control tends to be easier compared with makeshift double boilers.

Heat soy wax gently — follow instructions for recommended melting temperature. If the manual gives exact temps, use those; otherwise aim around 120–185°F depending on guidance and fragrance loading. The melter should reduce scorching and make clean-up simpler than stovetop pots.

Wax, Wicks & Pouring

Soy wax behaves slightly differently than paraffin. You’ll notice it can appear matte and sometimes develop a frosty finish. That’s natural and not a fault. You’ll want to ensure you add fragrance at the correct temperature window (usually just off the heat) to avoid fragrance not binding well.

Wick placement is critical. Use a glue dot to anchor the wick in the center, keep it vertical with a wick holder or pencil when pouring, and trim to about 1/4 inch before lighting. Pour slowly and in stages if you want a smooth top; slow pours reduce the chance of sinkholes and uneven surfaces.

Safety & Cleanup

Even though everyone likes a cleaner setup with an electric melter, hot wax is still hot and potentially hazardous. You should use heat-resistant gloves or mitts, keep children at a safe distance during melting, and have a fire extinguisher or plan if anything goes wrong.

Cleanup is mostly wiping out the melter while the wax is warm (never hot enough to scald you). You can reuse leftover wax, so keep it in a jar if you don’t want to waste it. For spills, paper towels and mild soap usually do the job once wax cools.

Scents & Dyes

The kit’s eight fragrance oils are the core of the sensory experience. You’ll get a selection of pleasant scents intended to cover a range of preferences, and the preprinted labels help match scent to finished tin for gifting or personal use.

Dye blocks allow you to tint your soy candles to match décor or mood. Because soy wax has a subtle finish, colors can appear softer and more natural than paraffin, which many people find appealing.

Fragrance Oils: Strength & Mixing

Fragrance oils in the kit are pre-measured by vial size, but you control the fragrance load. A safe guideline is typically 6–10% fragrance to wax by weight, but some scents perform best around 8% for a strong hot throw without sweating oil on the surface.

You can blend scents creatively. For example, pair a floral with a citrus top note to brighten it, or add a little spice to a sweet vanilla base for warmth. Keep notes when you mix so you can replicate favorites.

Dye Blocks & Color Options

Dye blocks give you mixable color control. Start with small amounts — shave a tiny bit into the melted wax and increase if you want deeper color. Remember that colors deepen slightly as wax cools; test pour in a sample tin first.

Two-block sets per color let you achieve subtle gradients, marbling, or layered looks if you pour in stages. If you want pastel tones, use very small shavings and stir thoroughly to distribute evenly.

Dried Flowers & Labels

Including dried lavender, osmanthus, and rose-buds gives your candles a boutique look. You should place flowers only on the top surface for decoration and avoid embedding them in the wax below the burning pool, as they can char or pose a fire hazard.

Preprinted labels are a thoughtful touch. Use them for gifting and inventory — you’ll find it easier to remember which scent you labeled when you pick up an evening candle.

Ease of Use for Beginners

This kit is one of the better beginner-friendly sets because of the melter, clear parts list, and the inclusion of many consumables. The instructions are generally easy to follow and the basic steps are repeated enough that you’ll feel confident after your first or second candle.

You don’t need prior candle-making experience to get satisfying results. Still, take your first candle as a practice run: test for wick size, scent throw, and visual finish before gifting.

Instructions & Learning Curve

The instruction booklet is written with beginners in mind and includes step-by-step pictures or diagrams. You’ll find it reassuring that the kit doesn’t assume deep prior knowledge.

Even so, a short online search for common soy wax issues will accelerate your learning curve (e.g., frosting, sinkholes, adhesion). Once you understand a few basic behaviors of soy wax, you’ll produce consistent candles faster.

Troubleshooting Tips

If the top of a candle has sinkholes, a common fix is to reheat a small amount of wax and pour a thin top-up layer once the first pour has solidified. If you get frosting (white crystalline surface), that’s cosmetic and natural — gently buffing or adding a top coat of melted wax can reduce the appearance.

If scent throw seems weak, check your fragrance load and pouring temperature. If the scent seems overly strong or greasy on the surface, you may have added fragrance too hot or over-concentrated it.

Arts & Craft Experience

Creating candles with this kit feels like a rewarding craft session. You’ll enjoy the process of selecting colors, scents, and decorations; the kit gives enough options to keep you experimenting without becoming overwhelming.

The tools are reusable, and once you master a few routines you can scale up production for gifts, seasonal offerings, or craft fairs.

Family Activity & Gifting

This is an excellent family project because there are many low-risk parts for children to enjoy: choosing dyes, labeling tins, and placing dried flowers are all kid-friendly tasks if supervised. Adults handle the melter and pouring.

The finished product translates well to gifts. The black tins look professional, the labels add polish, and you can make a set of themed scents for holidays or birthdays.

Decorating & Personalization

You’ll find creative ways to personalize candles: layered colors, scent blends, or adding a small keepsake on top (metal charms set outside the burn pool). The kit gives you the basics to move beyond plain single-color single-scent candles into small artisan projects.

Quality & Value

Materials feel solid for a kit at this price range. The wicks, tins, and fragrance oils are sufficient for making high-quality candles without needing immediate replacement parts.

The electric melter and quantity of tins add perceived value; many cheap kits skimp on containers or tools, making you buy extras. This one minimizes that need.

Material Quality

Soy wax included tends to be a clean-burning, eco-friendlier option compared with paraffin. The tins are sturdy and uniform, which helps produce candles that look consistent on a shelf.

Fragrance oils included are appropriate for home use — just note that everyone senses fragrance differently, so test before committing to large batches for sale.

Price vs Contents

You get a lot for the price: a melter, multiple tins, multiple scents, and tools. If you plan to make a lot of candles, the kit gives a solid head start and can be more economical than buying items individually.

If the price is a primary concern, compare how many candles you can make with the included wax packs to other refill options. For hobbyists and crafters, the convenience is often worth any small premium.

Pros & Cons

Putting the good and less perfect points side by side helps you decide if this is the right kit for your needs.

Pros:

• Complete starter set with many consumables and tools.
• Electric melter improves safety and consistency.
• Attractive black tins and preprinted labels for gifting.
• Eight scents and color options encourage creativity.
• Family-friendly with components for decorating and personalizing.

Cons:

• Soy wax behaviors (frosting, sinkholes) require some learning.
• Some scent preferences may not match yours; testing is needed.
• Dried flowers must be used cautiously for safety.
• If you plan to scale production, you’ll eventually need more wax and supplies.

Who Is This Kit Best For

You’ll love this kit if you’re a beginner who wants a full, attractive set and minimal extra shopping. It’s ideal for someone who enjoys small craft projects, wants to start gifting handmade candles, or prefers a safer melting option.

If you’re a professional candle maker planning to scale up, this kit is a good starter but you’ll likely replace some items as you grow.

Practical Tips to Get the Most Out of the Kit

• Use a kitchen scale to measure wax and fragrance by weight for repeatable results.
• Keep a log: record melt temps, fragrance percentage, and pour temps to replicate favorites.
• Pour in the recommended temperature window. For soy, that is often around 125–135°F for adding fragrance and around 110–120°F for pouring, but follow provided guidance.
• Test wick size: first candle is always a test. Note burn pool size and adjust wick thickness if you see tunneling or excessive soot.
• Cure candles: let soy candles sit 24–72 hours before burning to get better scent throw.
• Top up technique: if surface sinks, reheat a small amount and pour a thin top layer.
• Labeling: use the preprinted labels and add date and fragrance notes on the underside for future reference.

Burn & Performance Expectations

You can expect decent hot and cold throw with proper fragrance load and cure time. Soy wax generally produces a softer scent throw than paraffin, but careful blending and appropriate fragrance percentages yield satisfying results.

Tins burn evenly when wicks are sized and centered properly. You’ll see the whole surface melt in a reasonable burn session if the wick is correct for the tin size. Trim the wick to 1/4 inch each time you relight to prolong life and reduce soot.

Environmental & Safety Considerations

Soy wax is plant-based and biodegradable, which is better environmentally than petroleum-based paraffin. The kit includes reusable metal tins that are recyclable or repurposeable.

Always follow basic candle safety: never leave a burning candle unattended, keep away from drafts and flammable objects, and avoid burning a candle for longer than 4 hours at a time. Keep the candle free of any debris such as dried flowers in the melt pool.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Weak scent throw: increase fragrance load slightly within safe limits, or ensure curing time is adequate.
• Sinking or air pockets: pour more slowly or use a two-stage pour with a top-up.
• Frosting: it’s natural for soy; if it bothers you, use a smooth topping pour or heat a small amount and smooth the top.
• Tunneling: wick too small. Try larger wick size next batch.
• Wet spots or oily surfaces: likely too much fragrance added at high temperature. Use lower fragrance loading or adjust pouring temp.

Gift Ideas & Presentation

If you’re making candles as gifts, assemble matching sets: choose three complementary scents, pick a color scheme, and use the preprinted labels plus a simple ribbon or gift box. The black tins already provide a sophisticated base, so a little personalization goes a long way.

For themed gifts, make a “calm night” trio (lavender + vanilla + sandalwood) or a “kitchen fresh” set (citrus + mint + green tea). You can also include a small wick trimmer and care card on how to burn and trim the candle for safe use.

Upgrading & Next Steps After the Kit

Once you’ve used the kit and want to expand, consider buying:

• Additional wax in bulk for cost savings.
• A wider variety of fragrances including essential oil blends.
• Different container shapes or glass jars for variety.
• Professional wick sizing sets to fine-tune burn performance.
• Labels and packaging supplies if you plan to sell.

This kit will teach you fundamentals so you can confidently choose upgrades.

Final Verdict

If you want a friendly, thorough set to start making soy candles with a polished look, the SoftOwl Premium Soy Candle Making Kit – Black Edition – Full Set with Electric Melter – Soy Wax, Big 16 Tins, 8 Pleasant Scents, 8×2 Color Dyes & More – Perfect as Home Decorations is a strong choice. It gives you a near-complete studio in a box: tools, materials, and aesthetic containers. You’ll appreciate the electric melter, the variety of scents and dyes, and the attention to presentation.

For beginners and casual crafters the kit saves time and frustration by bundling many small but essential items. You’ll still learn the nuances of soy wax, but you’ll do it with a set that supports experimentation and gifting. If you’re committed to turning candle making into a hobby or small business, this kit will give you a confident starting point and the knowledge to scale up.

If you’d like, I can give you a simple first-recipe with exact measurements and step-by-step temperatures to make a clean, scented 8-ounce tin candle using items from the kit.

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