Introduction
Soy candles are becoming increasingly popular due to their clean burn and low environmental impact. As soy wax is made from natural ingredients, it can take a longer time to harden compared to traditional paraffin wax.
It is important to understand how long it takes for a soy candle to harden so that you can make the most of your finished product. The good news is that most soy candles will harden in around 24 hours, depending on the size and composition of the candle. This means you can enjoy a reliable and pleasant burning experience with minimal effort!
A number of factors can influence how long a soy candle takes to harden, including the temperature, humidity, type of wick used and the size of the candle itself. It is also worth noting that soy candles are prone to “blooming” which refers to an uneven white texture that appears on its surface over time. This is because of oxidation as part of the curing process, but blooming does not affect the performance or quality of your candle in any way.
Finally, once your soy candle has hardened, you should make sure to store it in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight or heat. Doing so will keep your candle in pristine condition for longer and maintain its clean burning qualities for years to come!
Background
Soy candles refer to candles made with a blend of soy wax and natural oils, sometimes combining with other plant-based waxes or beeswax. This combination of wax is popular due to its relatively clean burn time and better scent throw than that of paraffin/petroleum-based candles. Soy candles also tend to be more eco-friendly since the soybean material is a renewable resource.
Answer: On average, soy candles take up to 5 weeks after pouring before they reach their full curing process, depending on environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity levels. This makes it much longer than other candle waxes, such as paraffin, which generally only need a few days at most. Initially the candle will often remain soft and still liquid in spots even after cooling but after some patience it will slowly harden over time until fully set. Additionally, soybean-based wax can hold its color for a longer period than other candle types, making them an ideal choice for those wanting long lasting scented decor.
Science of Setting
When it comes to the hardening process of soy candles, there are two important factors: heat and humidity. With an adequate amount of either one or both of these components present, the liquid wax in a soy candle can be expected to set and harden within 17-25 hours.
First, heat helps speed up chemical changes that occur during the curing process. Heat helps the large molecules in liquid wax coalesce into smaller molecules that form solid wax after cooling. To perform this readily, the melts must be kept at a temperature between 76⁰F – 82⁰F. In cases where external temperatures are cold or lower than 76⁰F, certain additives (such as beeswax) can be used to help facilitate the hardening process.
Second, humidity is also essential for a good curing time. In areas with high humidity levels, wax dries twice as quickly compared to areas with low relative humidity levels (below 30%). Though humid air can help make your soy candles harder faster, too much moisture can lead to contamination and ultimately reduce quality control standards for your finished product.
Overall, achieving ideal conditions for optimal candle curing requires careful manipulation and monitoring of environmental variables like heat and humidity. Once all elements have been properly adjusted, soy candles will usually take 17-25 hours to reach their full potential hardness level”so long as no other contaminants enter the mix!
Process Overview
The process of soy candle hardening is a relatively simple one, requiring only a few key steps. The following outlines the typical steps that are involved in making and hardening a soy candle:
1. Prepare the Wax ” The first step is to prepare the wax for use in your candle. This involves melting down your desired quantity of wax with either a double boiler method or by using an electric stirring pot. Once melted, add your desired amount of essential oil or fragrance before pouring the wax into your pre-selected container.
2. Add Wicks ” The next step is to insert wicks into the containers filled with melted wax. Secure the ends of these wicks at the bottom of each container and make sure they have been positioned correctly so your candles will burn evenly and safely.
3. Let Cool & Harden – Now it’s time to let your candle cool and harden overnight or at least for four hours until hardened; this allows for proper evaporation of volatile components from the fragrances you may have added to your wax blend.
4. Trim Wick/Surface Fins ” When you remove your finished candles from their containers, trim any excess wax from around each wick, as well as any other collect residue from their surfaces to ensure safe operation when lit. If any divots are seen on the surface, place them somewhere warm where further evaporation can occur until those issues are resolved.
5. Label & Admire! – Once all has been done, you can now label and admire your finished product! Congratulations!
Experiments and Results
The amount of time it takes for a soy candle to harden depends on a variety of factors, such as the type of wax used, the fragrance contents, size, and wick. The temperature in the room where the candle is being made or stored also plays an important role in determining how long it will take to solidify. Generally speaking, most soy candles can be expected to harden within 24 hours or less when pouring at room temperature of 70°F (21°C). However, if conditions are cooler, this process may take longer. Additionally, the fragrance oils included may cause faster or slower curing times since they can influence the temperature-dependent behavior of the waxes used.
Experiments have consistently shown that given similar ingredients and temperatures, environmental humidity levels appear to contribute more significantly to variance in final hardening times than any other factor. For instance, candles made with some newer “natural” waxes appear to set up much faster (often within 12-18 hours) when humidity levels remain around 50% or below and exceed that time frame when those levels increase above 50% relative humidity in comparison to candles made from more traditional wax blends; this difference implies greater water absorption by natural waxes than some traditional ones. Researchers believe that these differences could be related to different drying and hygroscopic properties among waxes and must still be studied further before definitive conclusions can be drawn regarding what influences curing performance and is likely why there is no one-size-fits-all answer as to how long it takes for soy candles to harden.
DIY Guide
It usually takes soy candles about 24 hours to harden. Although each candle is different, the main factor that determines the speed of hardening is your environment. The temperature and humidity in the room are key. If it’s a relatively warm and dry room, you can expect your candle to harden faster than it might otherwise. Conversely, if it’s cooler and/or more humid, don’t expect much from that first test”your candle will take longer to fully solidify and become ready for use.
Another factor in determining time to harden is wax additive or fragrance oil used in soy wax candles. The more fragrance or additive mixed with the wax often lengthens the curing time. This does not mean that candlemaking should be rush job either; allow at least a day between layers when creating decorative candles with layers of fragrances or colours as any heat generated by one layer will affect another applied soon after it has been poured.
It’s also important to remember that forming “skin” on top of a soy candle doesn’t necessarily mean your wax has completely cooled off yet; this could take several days even if your soy wax appears hardened about a day after pouring it into molds or containers. Don’t be tempted to light an improperly cooled wax-filled container as its heat may deform containers or vessels when combined with burning unadulterated soy along with artificial scents which contain essential oils. Be sure to always allow extra curing time before use ” especially when working with complex blends of fragrances and colours – as proper curing is what brings out lasting quality and fragrance retention in a candle’s burn.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
1. Soy candles burn cleaner than other types of candles because they typically have a much lower melting point than traditional paraffin or beeswax candles, meaning less soot and toxins are released into the air.
2. Soy wax is also a renewable resource and a sustainable choice made from vegetable oil, making it a great eco-friendly option.
3. Because soy wax offers consistent heat when burning, it will generally last up to 50% longer than other wax products, saving you money in the long run.
4. When compared to paraffin based candles, soy candles can hold scent better too which means that they will be more fragrant over a longer period of time without having to re-scent them regularly.
Cons:
1. Although soy candles take approximately half an hour to harden after pouring, they require more curing time when fresh, around 48 hours for optimal results ” unlike traditional waxes which harden relatively quickly after pouring.
2. Also soy candles cost more upfront than their traditional counterparts due to the higher price tag on the raw materials associated with them.
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.
