Waxes - Paraffin Wax

There are many types of waxes available, however the main four are: paraffin wax, beeswax, gel wax and dip and carve wax. Here is some information on these waxes and the pros and cons associated with their usage:

Beeswax

Beeswax is a natural product, which can be bought in its natural form. The colour of beeswax is either brown or bleached white. Beeswax is a by-product of oil refining and can be expensive, however it is the only wax that when burnt, releases a naturally sweet fragrance. Candles that are made from a wax combination that includes beeswax will usually be more long lasting compared to those that do not contain beeswax. Beeswax has a sticky consistency and can be difficult to work with if it is not used in conjunction with a releasing agent.

The general rule is that if the candle consists of more than 10 per cent beeswax then you need to ensure that you add a releasing agent to the mould first. However this applies only if you are making candles with a mould. If you decide to make dipped beeswax candles, then you do not need to add a releasing agent, however this can be quite expensive as you do need to use a large amount of beeswax.

Paraffin Wax

Paraffin is the most popular wax used in candlemaking and it is also the most basic. You can generally purchase it in bead or pellet form or in large slabs, if you do purchase paraffin in slab form, you will be required to break it up before using it. Paraffin wax is non-toxic and generally safe to use, it is colourless and odourless, when melted it looks like water, it is probably one of the most versatile waxes you can use. It burns with virtually no smell and you can colour it was dyes, add essential oils to make it smell great, alter its translucency and add various other waxes to make it soft and malleable or hard and long burning. It melts at a temperature between 40-71 degrees Celsius (104-160 Fahrenheit). Often you have to add stearin to paraffin wax, but you can buy paraffin wax with stearin already added to it.

Dip & Carve Wax

The type of wax is usually available in large chunks and is best used for making carved candles. It is a blend of waxes that is specially formulated so that the candle can be carved without the wax splitting. It has a more malleable quality compared to beeswax or paraffin wax.

Gel Wax

Gel wax is clear and sets to a rubbery solid that is translucent. Gel wax is not technically a ‘wax’ but is actually a mixture of oil and polymer. It melts at 90-100 degrees Celsius (194-212 degress Farenheit) so it is recommended that you melt it over a direct heat source. However you have to watch the pan as it can catch fire easily. You can use all kinds of (non-flammable) objects in gel waxes, such as flowers, shells, charms and you can use it with powdered dyes but not with ordinary wax dye discs.

Other wax materials

Wax Dye
Wax dye is used to colour a candle and is available in disc or powder form. It is difficult to control the colour of the candle, as the colour of the wax may not be the same when it sets. You can test the pigmentation of a candle by dropping the dye into a small amount of wax and then allowing it set on some grease paper. Dye discs or squares are easier to use, however they fade quicker that power dye. Powder dyes are intense and only the smallest quantities are needed for a single candle. The colours are more long lasting than dye discs, but can be difficult to use because you are working with small quantities.

Wax Perfumes
To make fragrant candles you can either add candle perfume, essential or aromatherapy oils. There are candle perfumes designed specifically for candles and they come in a liquid form. If you use essential oils or aromatherapy oils you need to ensure that you test them first as not all of them smell great when burnt. Whatever you choose to use, be careful not to add too much. To add a scent, you simply just add the drops of (perfume, essential or aromatherapy oil) to the melted wax.

Candle Making Home Introduction to candle making Candle making guide Beeswax candles Materials Waxes - paraffin wax Additives Wicks Candle molds The work area & safety		Waxes - Paraffin Wax There are many types of waxes available, however the main four are: paraffin wax, beeswax, gel wax and dip and carve wax. Here is some information on these waxes and the pros and cons associated with their usage: Beeswax Beeswax is a natural product, which can be bought in its natural form. The colour of beeswax is either brown or bleached white. Beeswax is a by-product of oil refining and can be expensive, however it is the only wax that when burnt, releases a naturally sweet fragrance. Candles that are made from a wax combination that includes beeswax will usually be more long lasting compared to those that do not contain beeswax. Beeswax has a sticky consistency and can be difficult to work with if it is not used in conjunction with a releasing agent. The general rule is that if the candle consists of more than 10 per cent beeswax then you need to ensure that you add a releasing agent to the mould first. However this applies only if you are making candles with a mould. If you decide to make dipped beeswax candles, then you do not need to add a releasing agent, however this can be quite expensive as you do need to use a large amount of beeswax. Paraffin Wax Paraffin is the most popular wax used in candlemaking and it is also the most basic. You can generally purchase it in bead or pellet form or in large slabs, if you do purchase paraffin in slab form, you will be required to break it up before using it. Paraffin wax is non-toxic and generally safe to use, it is colourless and odourless, when melted it looks like water, it is probably one of the most versatile waxes you can use. It burns with virtually no smell and you can colour it was dyes, add essential oils to make it smell great, alter its translucency and add various other waxes to make it soft and malleable or hard and long burning. It melts at a temperature between 40-71 degrees Celsius (104-160 Fahrenheit). Often you have to add stearin to paraffin wax, but you can buy paraffin wax with stearin already added to it. Dip & Carve Wax The type of wax is usually available in large chunks and is best used for making carved candles. It is a blend of waxes that is specially formulated so that the candle can be carved without the wax splitting. It has a more malleable quality compared to beeswax or paraffin wax. Gel Wax Gel wax is clear and sets to a rubbery solid that is translucent. Gel wax is not technically a ‘wax’ but is actually a mixture of oil and polymer. It melts at 90-100 degrees Celsius (194-212 degress Farenheit) so it is recommended that you melt it over a direct heat source. However you have to watch the pan as it can catch fire easily. You can use all kinds of (non-flammable) objects in gel waxes, such as flowers, shells, charms and you can use it with powdered dyes but not with ordinary wax dye discs. Other wax materials Wax Dye Wax dye is used to colour a candle and is available in disc or powder form. It is difficult to control the colour of the candle, as the colour of the wax may not be the same when it sets. You can test the pigmentation of a candle by dropping the dye into a small amount of wax and then allowing it set on some grease paper. Dye discs or squares are easier to use, however they fade quicker that power dye. Powder dyes are intense and only the smallest quantities are needed for a single candle. The colours are more long lasting than dye discs, but can be difficult to use because you are working with small quantities. Wax Perfumes To make fragrant candles you can either add candle perfume, essential or aromatherapy oils. There are candle perfumes designed specifically for candles and they come in a liquid form. If you use essential oils or aromatherapy oils you need to ensure that you test them first as not all of them smell great when burnt. Whatever you choose to use, be careful not to add too much. To add a scent, you simply just add the drops of (perfume, essential or aromatherapy oil) to the melted wax.



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