Introduction to Soy Candle Making Wax
Most modern soy candles call for one of two general types of wax: soft or hard. Soft wax is usually within the range of 90°-95°F, while hard wax can be from 97°-110°F. The main differences between the two are in their texture, burn characteristics, and their ability to hold scent and color dyes.
Soft wax has a lower melting point and often needs the use of a wick that has been pre-tabbed (Attached). This type of wax will burn at a slower pace than the hard variety, providing increased scent throw and coloring opportunities. Soft wax also tends to have relatively weak sides on its container candles and is slightly more difficult to work with when making sculpted or carved items.
Harder wax typically has a higher melting point but does not need as wide a variety of specially designed primers or tabs because it requires less fiberglass insulation around its core. Burn times are much faster with this kind of wax so it is usually reserved for votives and pillars. It is also capable of creating sharper detailing and designing which makes it great for novelty items like molds. Harder wax is usually much better at holding fragrance oils for an extended period, depending upon the brand used. Finally, high quality Dyes tend to work best with high grade paraffin/Soy mixes because they end up lasting longer than when used alone in floor candles as well as all natural fruit styled products.
Benefits of Soy Candle Making Wax
Soy candle making wax has a number of benefits over other types of wax. One of the main benefits is that it often burns longer than paraffin or beeswax candles, meaning you can enjoy them for much longer. Soy candle making wax is also made from renewable resources. Because soy candles are made from soybeans, they are seen as more eco-friendly and sustainable than other types of wax. Soy candles do not contain any toxins or harmful chemicals either, which makes them even more desirable to use in your home environment. Additionally, the affordability of soy wax means that anyone can create beautiful candles with custom scents at a low cost. Furthermore, because soy candles burn cleanly with no smoke or soot residue buildup, it makes them even better for both indoor and outdoor usage.
How to Work with Soy Candle Making Wax
Step 1: Choosing Wicks – Choose wicks that are made for soy candle wax. This includes wick like the HTP series, CDN series, and ECO series.
Step 2: Melting Wax – Melt your soy candle making wax using a double boiler or melt pot to carefully melt the wax without burning it.
Step 3: Adding Scent – You can add essential oils or other fragrance into the melted soy wax while still hot. This will help ensure a strong scent throw.
Step 4: Pouring The Wax – Stop stirring the melted soy wax once it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit and pour into containers, molds, or votives at an even rate. Allow the finished candles to cool completely before adding any labels or touching them in any way.
Troubleshooting Soy Candle Making Wax
Soy Candle Making Wax Troubleshooting Guide
Frosting: If you find frosting on the surface of your candle, this is typically because it has been poured too hot, too quickly and/or with stirring. To fix this, try pouring at a lower temperature the next time, re-pouring more slowly and with less agitation.
Uneven layering: When layering colors do not turn out as expected, this could be due to temperature differences between the layers when they are poured. To avoid uneven results, wait until each layer has completely cooled before pouring the next layer so that they are at the same temperature before combining them.
The Top Brands of Soy Candle Making Wax
1) NatureWax C-3 Soy Candle Wax: NatureWax C-3 soy candle wax is a popular choice amongst makers of soy candles due to its versatility, sustainable ingredients, and affordable cost. With a melting point of around 120 degrees Fahrenheit and relatively low oils, it is perfect for creating the classic soft and smooth candles that soy wax is known for. This particular wax has been tested for use with fragrance oils at 2 ounces per pound without any issues.
2) Enchanted Lites Candle Wax (ELCW): Enchanted Lites Candle Wax (ELCW) is another top brand in the world of soy candle making. It offers high quality and consistent performance at an affordable price point, making it an attractive option for novice and expert candle makers alike. This wax has a higher melt point than NatureWax C-3, making it ideal for creating fitted vessels such as jars or containers with straight sides. As a side note, this wax also has excellent adhesion when used with wicks larger than 15 mm in diameter.
3) Golden Brands GW 416 Soy Wax: Last but certainly not least is Golden Brands GW 416 Soy Wax, which is suitable for all types of container candles including pillar molds, votives, tumblers, and more. With a melt point of 125 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit and oils content up to 1%, this wax makes perfect creamy white candles with great scent throw! Fragrance oils should be used at 1 ounce per pound of wax – any higher may compromise the integrity of your finished product drastically.
Conclusion
Helpful Resources:
1. Websites such as CandleScience and Modernsoycandle, where you can find soy wax, wicks, tools, fragrances and other candle-making supplies
2. Tutorials and videos on YouTube providing step-by-step instructions on how to make a variety of styles of soy candles.
Safety Tips:
1. Always be sure to use protective gloves and safety glasses when working with hot wax.
2. Make sure to always have an experienced adult helping, especially when children are involved in the process of making candles as hot melted wax can cause serious burns or other injuries if not handled properly.
3. Ventilation is key ” melting large amounts of wax with too little ventilation can create an oxygen-poor environment which could be hazardous to your health and ignite a potentially dangerous fire hazard. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the amount of ventilation needed while melting the wax safely.
Welcome to my candle making blog! In this blog, I will be sharing my tips and tricks for making candles. I will also be sharing some of my favorite recipes.
