Overview Of Candle Waxes

Candle Making Waxes

While there are a number of options available for making candles, wax is by far the most commonly used.  There are, of course, many different types of wax available, and the wax you choose will often impact the candles you create.  This article will provide a basic understanding of the three major types of wax, paraffin, soy, and beeswax, and the properties they exhibit. One of the major differences between waxes is their inherent melting points, or the temperature it takes for them to go from solid to liquid, which usually dictates when the wax should be poured and what shape it will take.

Paraffin Wax

Paraffin wax is a by-product of crude oil, and is the most popular in candle making.  Because there are different grades of paraffin wax, its melting point varies by variety.  Low melting paraffin will liquefy at or below 130 degrees Fahrenheit and tends to be softer than others, and ideal for use in container candles, but less suitable for molded or carved candles as it tends to remelt at high room temperatures.  Medium paraffin, on the other hand, will liquefy between 130 and 145 degrees Fahrenheit, and while it is firmer than a low melting grade, it is still too soft for use in many projects.  Medium melting paraffin is ideal for making poured candles.  High melting point paraffin liquefies between 145 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit, and is a harder wax suitable for carved and molded candles.  Because this harder wax melts at a higher temperature, these candles have a longer burn time than the softer grade paraffins.   While paraffin waxes provide a variety of pouring options, they also have several drawbacks.  Due to the crude by-products paraffin requires vigorous tapping to remove air bubbles that commonly form as the wax rehardens, distorting the shape of the candle.  This type of wax is also resistant to many additives, making it more difficult to mix with fragrances that contribute to the aroma of scented candles.

Soy Wax

Soy wax is fast gaining in popularity.  Made from hydrogenated soybean oil, soy wax is completely natural and non-toxic with little soot; a cost effective means of creating an environmentally safe product.  Soy wax is sold in either flake or pellet form, and appears off-white or opaque in color.   By itself, soy has a lower melting point than paraffin and other wax types, and is therefore most often used in either container candles, or with various hardening additives or a blend of waxes.  When blended, its melting point varies between 120 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the blend.  The natural oils found in soy wax make it ideal for mixing with fragrance additives, creating the delicious aromas often sought from candles.  This type of wax doesn’t shrink as much paraffin waxes in the hardening process, and requires no tapping, as air pockets rarely form in soy.

Beeswax

Beeswax is another popular form of natural wax.  It has a higher melting point of 150 degrees Fahrenheit, and burns very slow.  It is naturally sweet smelling and nearly smokeless, but is sticky so it is ideal for candles that aren’t molded.  Because beeswax is obtained from honeybees, this is the most expensive of the traditional waxes and is most often associated with religious ceremonies.

Other Waxes

Three other types of waxes used, though less frequently, are Vegetable wax, Bayberry wax, and Tallow.  Vegetable wax, also gaining in popularity, is usually a soy wax blended with palm and other natural waxes to increase the burning temperature of a candle to make it harder and therefore adaptable to pillar and molded candles.  Bayberry wax, another all-natural wax, is derived from the berries off of bayberry bushes, is greenish in color and naturally scented.  While this type of wax is reminiscent of Colonial America, it is often too expensive to be used by hobbyists.  This is a softer wax with a melting point of just 118 degrees Fahrenheit, but does not mix well with additives.  Tallow is another natural wax that has been used for centuries.  Derived from sheep, pig, and cow fat, tallow is best known for the strong odor that melting produces.  It is colorless and also has a low melting point, making it ideal for container candles.

Additives

Most candle makers find additives necessary in creating their ideal projects.  There are as many types of additives as there are waxes, and they can be used to change the color, clarity, melting point, and scent of the wax.  Some are added during the melting process and others during pouring and setting.  Some waxes, like paraffins, are more resistant to additives, while soy and beeswax are relatively dynamic.  Waxes should be chosen with regard to the additives that will be introduced, and the outcome you are hoping to obtain.