Selecting The Right Candle Making Wax
The popularity of the candle making handicraft is growing constantly. More and more people are enjoying the rewards of making their own candles. Armed with a little basic knowledge an enthusiast can be creating beautiful candles in no time. One of the basics is choosing the right candle making wax. Wax is the fundamental ingredient of candles and will determine the type and quality of the finished product. When the Ancient Egyptians and Romans first started making candles the only product available to use in their manufacture was tallow (animal fats). Candles made with tallow produce not only light but also smoke and unpleasant odors. Down through the centuries alternative materials were sought out or developed to overcome the disadvantages of candles made with tallow. Today there is a wide variety of materials with all sorts of characteristics available to the candle maker. Here are a few for consideration.
Paraffin Wax – This is a petroleum based product distilled from byproducts of the crude oil refining process. When combined with stearic acid it becomes an excellent product for candle making and it is very economical. For these reasons it is the most widely used media in candle making today and the best product for a beginning candle maker to use in the learning process.
Soy Wax – A natural product made from the soy bean. It is a domestically produced product and is very economical. The most appealing feature of soy wax is that is clean burning and it emits a very pleasing natural aroma. It is usually less expensive than paraffin wax and it is a pleasure to use in the making of candles because it melts fast and speeds up the process. This is an excellent wax that deserves consideration by any candle maker.
Beeswax – Is highly desirable as a candle making product. It was developed in the middle ages in an effort to eliminate the undesirable tallow candle features of smoke and odor. Beeswax is clean burning and emits a wonderfully sweet aroma. It is a natural substance that does not degrade over time as demonstrated by the fact that beeswax candles have been found in shipwrecks hundreds of years old that show no signs of deterioration. Beeswax is more expensive than other waxes but many candle makers prefer it’s use because it is a purely natural product. And because of the desirable characteristics of pleasant aromas, clean burning and durability that it lends to candles.
Gel - This is the standard clear gel with many arts and craft uses one of which being the making of candles. It is a little more difficult to work with as a candle wax because it requires higher temperatures to become workable and therefore necessitates more caution in the candle making process. The biggest advantage to using gel wax is that it is clear and offers all sorts of creative decorating possibilities and it is odorless so it will accepts any other fragrance selection without interference.
Palm Wax – Another natural product made from a renewable source. It is also clean burning with a pleasant aroma.
These are the types waxes most candle makers use. It is up to the individual candle maker to choose the type that meets their preferences. The next step for the new candle maker is make their choice and start making beautiful candles.
