How to make an Oil Candle on a Tile or Rock! 2026

How to make an Oil Candle on a Tile or Rock, there are some methods posted on the Internet that show how to make an oil candle, but after a lot of experimenting, I realized that some work better than others.

First of all, candles with a too long wick immersed in oil will burn well, but once the oil level is too low, the candle will stop working.

Amazon Essentials by Sofia Grainge - Summer 2026 Promotion

I think I came up with a nice candle that looks good and works great. Enjoy!

Step 1: Materials and tools

Materials:

• Tile or rock
• Small glass containers or short glass jars with ring bands
• Sewing buttonholes
• Glass marbles or natural stones.
• 100% cotton cloth or Fiberglass cloth or if you can find fiberglass rope.
• Epoxy
• Liquid coconut oil or other vegetable oils
• Tiny funnels

Tools:

• Drill
• Carbide drill bits (ebay or Amazon is the best place to find diamond or glass drill bits at a really cheap price) of the same size as the sewing buttonholes.
• Glue gun

Step 2: Video

Video Link to Facebook.

Step 3: Testing different wicks and oils

I did some testing to see what type of wicks would work best and also the best types of oil to use. The candle I want to make will have a sealed lid and only the wick will stick out through the top of the candle, so I wanted to make sure I found the best wick and oil combination possible.

Highlights: 

• Cotton: So 100% cotton is the easiest wick to make or find. I used a cotton cloth and cut it into strips. Then he tried burning it with different types of oils and at different lengths. It worked really well, but it burns out every time the oil runs out, like a normal candle, but as long as it's fueled with oil, it keeps burning. I also tried putting salt on the cotton wicks to prevent charring and burning of the wick, but found it made little to no difference.
  • Advantages: Easy to find, economical.
  • Disadvantages: It consumes itself over time.
• A fiberglass wick: It is harder to find but works better and is not consumed when the fuel/oil runs out, the flame simply goes out. For this instruction, I'll show you how to make one of these fiberglass fabric wicks. Or you can purchase fiberglass rope used to seal wood stove doors. The only disadvantage of fiberglass is that when working with it, you must wear a mask when cutting it, as cutting will release small glass fibers into the air and you better not get them in your lungs. Fiberglass is safe to work with, just be smart about it.
  • Advantages: It is not consumed.
  • Disadvantages: More complicated to work with, respiratory irritant.

Types of oil: 

I tried a few types of oil, corn, vegetable, olive, canola and coconut.

All of the oils worked, however, I found that some of them produced soot or smoke, especially if the wick was too long.

In addition, some oils are too viscous and do not absorb very quickly.

I found that the one that works best is coconut oil, which I tried both solid and liquid.

Solid coconut oil melts at 26ºC and when the candle is lit, it helps keep the rest of the oil liquid only by the heat of the flame.

Liquid coconut oil worked equally well. The viscosity of coconut oil is light compared to the other oils tested and produces almost no soot. It abused well and burned the best of all the oils.

Winner:

Liquid coconut oil (expensive comparatively) but really any oil will work.

Conclusion:

In general, regardless of the wick and depending on the type of oil used, capillary action could only supply enough oil to the burning end of the wick to a certain extent.

After a distance of 1.5″ from the flame to the top of the oil, the oil rate that was “wicked” could not feed enough oil to keep the flame burning.

For this version I will use a DIY fiberglass wick and liquid coconut oil.

But if you don't like the idea of using a fiberglass cloth or don't have access to it, cotton works well too. I just like the idea of not having to replace the wick.

Step 4: Make the candles (Candle N°1)

So let's make the candle now that we have done the test. I'll show a few different candles I made, but all techniques apply.

Candle One:

The first candle I made was a modern looking square tile that would look great as a standalone object.

• Drilling the hole in the tile:
• Drill a hole directly in the middle of the tile, sized slightly larger than the diameter of the bottom of the grommet. This will depend on whatever size you choose for a buttonhole.
• Drilling into a tile requires the use of a suitable drill bit.
• I bought a bunch of diamond drill bits on ebay or amazon, but if you don't want to wait you can find them at the hardware store, you'll just pay more.
• A carbide drill bit will also work, but they don't seem to last as long. When drilling into tile, be sure to use plenty of water to help lubricate the cutting action, it also helps remove the cut material and prevents it from becoming airborne.
• A tip for when drilling into tile when using diamond drill bits, they are more like mini hole saws without a pilot bit.
• So, it's best to start at an angle to cut a small groove for the drill bit to start so it doesn't shift, then stand the drill upright to drill into the tile (don't forget the water).
• Clean the tile and then insert the grommet into the hole.
• Let the tile dry before continuinggo to the next step.

Placing the oil tank: 

For the oil tank I used a small bowl. I placed and then marked the outside edge of the bowl on the bottom of the tile so I would have a reference once I was ready to glue the bowl.

Then I mixed up some 5 minute epoxy and applied it to the tile where I marked the bowl line. This next step is optional, but I partially filled the bowl with small ornamental rocks, this serves two purposes, one displaces the amount of oil needed to fill the reservoir and two also looks nice.

If you fill the bowl with stones, you will need to place the tile in the bowl so that they stick.

Otherwise, the container can be placed on the tile (easier this way).

Let the assembled candle sit until the epoxy sets.

Fill with oil: 

Next fill the candle with oil using a small funnel, as mentioned in the previous step I like to use liquid coconut oil as it burns cleanly and is less viscous than other oils.

Remember not to overfill the candle.

Make and insert wick:

In the previous step, I explained how to make a wick but I'll quickly go over how to make a wick.

Take some fiberglass fabric cut to about 3″x3″ and roll or fold it into a tube. Use a glue gun and apply some glue to the bottom of the wick to hold it together. If necessary, add a little in the middle as well.

If you don't like it or don't have access to a fiberglass cloth, make a wick with 100% cotton by cutting strips.

Take the wick and insert it into the eyelet hole, until the wick protrudes above the hole.

Trim with scissors if there are missing fibers. Depending on how your candle burner you will need to adjust the height of the wick as needed.

Light the candle:

Give the wick a few minutes to saturate with oil. Then turn it on!

Adjust the wick as necessary, the fiberglass wick will last indefinitely, while the cotton ones will need to be trimmed and lifted from time to time and eventually replaced.

The candle should burn for hours, it will stop once it can no longer absorb the fuel you will need to refill it by adding more oil with the small funnel.

It is possible to refill without removing the wick, depending on the size of the end of the funnel.

Step 5: Candle Two (Three Flames)

Candle Two: Alternatively, I used mason jars for this candle so I could stir the glass jars to fill them instead of using a small funnel like candle two.

The constructions are similar to theace of a candle, but instead of gluing the glass bowls directly, the metal bands are glued to the tile and then the glass jars can be screwed directly to the bands.

The images make it very clear.

I used a long tile and three mason jars for this candle. I think it looks very good.

Step 6: Candle Three (Rock Candle)

This is exactly the same as candle one, but instead of using a tile, a flat shale rock was used. This can literally be called a rock sail!

In short, a fiberglass wick works the best, since it does not burn out and lasts a long time. Coconut oil is the best fuel, but any vegetable oil will work.

I hope you enjoyed this article, these candles were so fun to make and they make a great gift!

Get more information at perfectionidea.com and on our Facebook for more How to Make an Oil Candle on a Tile or Rock.

Creative Home Decor Ideas to Transform Every Space

Refreshing your home starts with smart design choices that combine comfort, personality, and functionality. Whether you want to modernize a small apartment, upgrade outdoor areas, or create cozy rustic interiors, these trending ideas can completely change the atmosphere of your space.

Outdoor Spaces That Increase Style and Functionality

Outdoor living continues to dominate modern home trends. Homeowners are increasingly investing in practical entertainment zones inspired by these BBQ shed ideas, which create the perfect setup for gatherings and weekend cooking sessions.

First impressions also matter when designing exteriors. Elegant farm entrance gates design ideas help properties stand out while improving privacy and curb appeal.

Compact living solutions are also gaining popularity. These inspiring 16x40 shed house interior design ideas show how smaller spaces can still feel luxurious and functional.

To enhance patios and entryways, homeowners are adding stylish protection with these creative porch awning exterior DIY ideas that blend aesthetics with practicality.

Rustic and Cozy Interior Design Trends

Warm and natural interiors remain timeless. These charming rustic decor ideas combine wood textures, vintage accents, and earthy tones to create welcoming spaces.

Bedrooms are becoming more personalized with curated wall arrangements. Many homeowners use these stylish picture wall ideas for bedroom spaces to display memories and artwork creatively.

Textured wall treatments are another major trend. Installing a board and batten wall adds architectural character while keeping interiors elegant and modern.

Similarly, bold accent wall ideas can instantly transform plain rooms into eye-catching focal points without requiring a full renovation.

Smart Kitchen and Organization Inspiration

Functional kitchens are essential for modern homes. These practical kitchen wall cabinet ideas maximize storage while maintaining a clean and stylish appearance.

Organization also starts at the entrance. Well-designed mud room ideas help families keep shoes, coats, and daily essentials neatly arranged.

Colorful and Personalized Home Styling

Vibrant interiors are becoming increasingly popular thanks to playful dopamine decor ideas that use bright colors and joyful accessories to improve mood and energy.

Gallery walls also continue to evolve as a major decorative feature. These trendy gallery wall inspiration ideas offer creative ways to combine prints, photos, and statement art.

Young renters and new homeowners are especially embracing these stylish first apartment aesthetic ideas to create sophisticated interiors on a budget.

Finally, selecting the right shades can dramatically influence any room’s atmosphere. These modern trendy color ideas help homeowners choose palettes that feel fresh, elegant, and timeless.

Final Thoughts

From rustic charm and colorful interiors to outdoor entertaining areas and functional storage solutions, today’s home decor trends focus on creating spaces that feel both beautiful and livable. By combining smart layouts, modern textures, and personalized decorative elements, any home can become more stylish, comfortable, and inspiring.