Choosing the wax for your candle is the most important part of candle making. Here are the main waxes that can be used:
At Frændi candles, we use soy waxfor candle-making. Why? Because we care about the quality of our candles, as well as your health and the environment.
What is wax?
Technically speaking, the term “wax” refers to a flammable, carbon-containing solid that becomes liquid when heated above room temperature.
What are the differenttypes of wax to make a candle?
Paraffin and Soy wax are the most popular for candle-making, but the wax you choose depends on the candle you would like to make.
Here are the main waxes that can be used for candle making:
Choose your candle wax
Your choice of wax for candle making depends on various factors, including:
- The form of the candle
- The kind of wax (all-natural wax or not)
- The amount of scent
- The type of finish
Use the table below to choose the best wax for your type of candle :).
| Wax type | Description | Specifications | Candle-types you canmake |
|---|
Paraffin wax is made from a by-product of the oil refining industry. It’s an easy and affordable wax, but not very eco-friendly. Candles made with paraffin wax burn quicker. | Price (per kg): €9 (US$10.5). Texture: solid at room temperature. Colour: white/colourless. Melting temperature: between 46 and 68 °C (115 and 154 °F). Boiling point: above 370 °C (698 °F). Scent: odourless. | Pillar candles Container candles Votive candles Tealight candles Taper candles Tart candles |
Soy wax is a 100% all-natural, vegan and eco-friendly wax. Itholds fragrances really well, but colouring is a bitmore difficult than withparaffin or beeswax. A soy candleburns slower and cleaner thanmost waxes. If you are looking for great soy wax, have a look at our shop! | Price (per kg): € 15 (US$ 17). Texture: quite soft and pliable. Colour: opaque white/beige. Melting temperature: between 49 to 82 °C (120 to 180 °F). Scent: natural/forest-like. | Container candles |
Palm wax is produced by hydrogenating palm oils. | Price (per kg): € 14 (US$ 16). Colour: yellow. Melting temperature: between 82 to 86 °C (180 to 187 °F). | Container candles |
Beeswax is a 100% all-natural wax and made during the honey making process. Beeswax is however very expensive and not vegan. | Price (per kg): € 18 (US$ 21). Texture: solid. Colour: yellow and/or brown. Melting temperature: 62 °C to 64 °C (144 °F to 147 °F). | Pillar candles Container candles Votive candles Tealight candles Taper candles Tart candles |
Gel wax isn’t wax at all. It is made from mineral oil and a polymer resin. With it, you can make see-through candles or embedded-object gel candles. It holds wicks, colour and fragrances just as well as a standard paraffin wax. | Price (per kg): € 14 (US$ 16). Texture: jelly. Colour: transparent. Melting temperature: 82 °C (180 °F). | Container candles |
Rapeseed wax (or canola wax) is an alternative to soy wax for making container candles, but is a bit more expensive. It provides great fragrance retention, scent throw and extended burn time. | Price (per kg): € 9 (US$ 10.5). Texture: firm. Colour: white/beige. Melting temperature: 43°C (109 °F). | Container candles Pillar candles |
Coconut waxis made fromhydrogenated and refined coconut oil. | Price (per kg): € 30 (US$ 35). Texture: firm. Colour: bright white to creamy and opaque. Melting temperature: 37°C (100 ºF). Scent: odourless. | Container candles |
