Using Additives
Candle Additives Overview
While waxes and wicks are the necessary ingredients for candle making, there are a variety of additive options available as well. Additives are ingredients you add to your wax either while it is melting or later, as it hardens, to increase the physical properties of your candles. These additions can be broken into two groups; those that increase the physical properties of the candle itself, and those that increase the enjoyment, or appearance and scent, of a candle.
Physical Characteristics
Because additives change the crystalline structure of wax, they can be used to effect burn time and wax pooling, as well as to solve issues like mottling, cracking, and curling. These additives should be tested before use, however, to limit further candle casualties.
Stearic Acid, the most commonly used additive, is added while the wax is melting. This acid comes in both flake and powder form, and only three tablespoons are needed for each pound of wax. Stearic acid supplies a host of benefits, including lengthening burn times, providing a lustrous finish, hardening to prevent bending, shrinking wax for easier removal, and reducing mottling. Vybar is another additive, similar in its attributes to Stearin, but used in flexible molds. Vybar also reduces mottling but it also helps prevent the air bubbles often found in wax, creating a smoother surface. It is also useful for supplying a greater scent throw, if used in moderation- two thirds teaspoon per pound of wax. Crystals are often added to change the luster or opaqueness of the wax, increasing burn time and creating a greater glowing effect. Hard Microcrystalline Wax has a higher melting point and so increases burn time and improves candle finish, as well as making the candle stronger, useful for dipping candles. Soft Microcrystalline Wax has a lower melting point and is used for container candles. UV Inhibitors are necessary for blocking UV glare on candles that will be displayed in a window area or outdoor crafts fair. While the inhibitor does not guarantee against fading, it does help protect the color longer, and reduces visible glare. This additive requires just one eighth of a teaspoon per pound of wax. Mineral Oil is also used, just two or three tablespoons to one pound of melted wax, to achieve a mottled look.
Enjoyment Characteristics
Candles are used for a variety of purposes- in decoration, to provide a refreshing aroma, or to be given as gifts. To achieve each of these aims an additive is generally required, whether it be in the form of scents, dyes, or embellishments.
Scents are essential for providing the aroma often sought from candles. They are added to molten wax just before pouring to prevent evaporation, and must be used in an oil form; as alcohol and water based scents will simply evaporate in the wax. While too little scent will get lost among the wax as well, too much will cause mottling and will create smoke when burning. Scents are available in liquid, solid, and powder form. One ounce of liquid fragrance is stirred into one pound of molten wax just before pouring. It is important to use essential oils only when making gel candles, as these will clog up the wicks in wax candles, and the smell will evaporate before the candle is burned. Solid fragrances come in bricks or blocks and are simply broken apart and added to the molten wax per instructions found on the product. Powders must first be dissolved into melted stearin then combined into the molten wax.
Dyes come in a variety of forms as well, including liquid, solid, and powder. While there are a variety of dyes available, it is best to invest in candle making dye as it provides the most color-true results for waxes and doesn’t change the physical properties. The golden rule for adding color is to remember that too much of any additive can adversely effect burn time. Liquid dyes are extremely condensed and come in small bottles, so just a few drops are needed. To use, simply melt the wax in your double boiler as usual, and when the temperature reaches 190 degrees Fahrenheit stir in a couple drops of dye. Do not overstir, as this will cause air bubbles to form. Pour the wax into the mold, and proceed as normal. Solid dyes are less concentrated, but easier to use as they come premeasured in either disc, chip, or square form. These dyes are neater than liquid, but more difficult to measure for smaller batches as only one is needed for every four pounds of wax. Powder dyes are the messiest and most difficult to use, and are not recommended for household or hobbyist use.
Embellishments are used within gel candles and added to the outside of wax candles to enhance their appearances. Embeds are most commonly used in gel candles, placing them entirely into the gel and closer to the glass than to the wick, and can include any non-flammable object. For best results, dip the objects into the hot gel prior to coloring, to reduce bubbling. Simply place the objects that you want on the bottom before pouring, then pour a layer of gel and add desired objects, repeating in layers. Remember that objects placed closer to the glass will be easier to see. Embellishments, when coupled with dyes and scents, will provide long lasting enjoyment from each of your candle making projects.
