When it comes to candle making, the wax you use is really up to personal choice. There are quite a few reasons why candle makers select soy wax for their candles. Some like it due to the fact that soy wax is 100% natural (it is a pure vegetable...

When it comes to candle making, the wax you use is really up to personal choice.
There are quite a few reasons why candle makers select soy wax for their candles. Some like it due to the fact that soy wax is 100% natural (it is a pure vegetable wax) and it is biodegradable. Many prefer soy wax because of the long, even, and clean burn the wax provides with less soot. And, even still, many candle crafters like soy wax because it is an environmentally friendly, renewable resource that American farmers can plant and harvest; also helping the economy too. Some other reasons for why some people prefer using soy wax for their candles are ease of use. Since this wax is in flake form, it is a breeze to weigh out, work with, and clean up. And, soy wax is a single pour wax, requiring no repours.
Soy wax is for container candles. Due to the nature of this natural wax, the finished candle will have a mottled (or frosted) appearance on top. However, if you do not like this appearance, you can always apply heat to the finished candle with a hot hair dryer or heat gun.
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Supplies and Equipment Needed:
Soy Wax
Fragrance Oil
Dye
Pouring Pot
Thermometer
Vessel
Wicks
Scale
Stainless steel mixing utensil
Cookie Sheet
Hot Glue Gun
Glue Sticks
Stove
Pot
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A little behind the scenes knowledge:
For this candle making process we are going to suggest the double boiler system for melting the wax. Fill a large pot half way full with tap water. Place the filled pot onto the stove top burner. Turn the appropriate burner on medium heat. Once you have the pouring pot filled with the correct amount of soy wax, place the pouring pot into the water filled pot. Once the water starts to boil, you will notice that the soy wax is beginning to melt. As this occurs, you want to occasionally stir the wax to ensure an even temperature.
Carefully place your glassware on a cookie sheet. Preheat your oven to the lowest temperature possible. Once the oven is heated, place the cookie sheet with the glassware into the oven. Allow your glassware to warm in the oven for 10-15 minutes. Once the allotted time has passed, carefully remove the cookie sheet using oven mitts. Set these aside.
The standard fragrance percent for soy candles is 1-1 ounces of fragrance oil per pound of wax.
For measuring purposes, 20 ounces (weight) of soy wax is equivalent to 16 ounces of fluid volume.
Directions for making a soy candle:
1. Weigh out the correct amount of soy wax with your scale.
2. Place your soy wax into your pouring pot and using the double boiler system, heat the wax to 185 degrees Fahrenheit. Monitor this by using your thermometer. Please Note: Heating soy wax hotter than 200 degrees Fahrenheit will discolor the wax, so proper monitoring of the temperature is advised.
3. While you are waiting on the wax, plug in your hot glue gun.
4. Once the wax is in a liquid state, add your candle colorant.
5. Next, add your&#xA0; fragrance oil of choice and stir well to incorporate throughout the wax. The information we provide below about flash point and burnoff is information we have learned over the years that will help make the best soy wax candles. When making candles, it is important to understand that ingredients affect the end result. Testing needs to be done by the candle maker for every fragrance that you decide to use. We provide the information as a guide, but you will still need to do the testing yourself.
a. For this step you will need to know the flashpoint of the fragrance oil you selected. The right temperature is extremely important to ensure that the fragrance oil binds properly with the soy wax. You also do not want to risk burnoff . Burnoff is the adding of a fragrance oil at too hot of a wax temperature. Because a flashpoint on a fragrance oil is the highest temperature the fragrance can handle before breaking down, burnoff can affect the scent in the finished candle. That is why you want to know the proper temperature to add the fragrance oil.&#xA0;
b. Fragrance Flashpoints give you the answer as to when you add your fragrance oil to the hot wax. Any flashpoint that is higher than 185 degrees Fahrenheit is added at 185 degrees. For any flashpoints that are below 185 degrees, they should be added at or below the flashpoint degree. The key to remember is try not to add the fragrance oil at a temperature that is hotter than its flashpoint.
c. Some fragrance oils have a very low flashpoint. In these cases, testing comes into play. You are balancing flashpoint temperatures with the fact that the wax needs heat in order to bind the scent with the wax.
6. Once the soy wax has been scented and colored, you will want to stir your wax thoroughly. Doing this step will help the mixing and binding of the color and scent throughout the wax.
7. The next step is allow your soy wax to cool at room temperature. Place your thermometer into the pouring pot and wait until the wax reaches 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Pouring at this temperature will allow for a smoother surface in your finished candle. While you are waiting, prep your containers for the pour.
8. Using your hot glue gun, place a little amount of glue to the bottom of the wick tab. Then, carefully center the wick to the bottom of the glassware. Gently, straighten your wick in each glass.
9. Once your wax is the appropriate temperature (110 degrees F), you will notice the physical appearance of the wax will be slushy like. At this point, you are now ready to pour your wax. Slowly, fill each glass to the point where the jar changes shape. Filling a jar surpassed the point where the jar changes shape will increase your chance of a sink hole in the finished candle.
10. Once all containers have been poured, allow them to set up and undisturbed at room temperature.
11. When all candles have completely set up, lid each container to allow for the fragrance to be absorbed by the wax. This is known as the cure time. For best results, allow your candles to cure for 24-48 hours.
12. Once the cure time has elapsed, it is now time to trim your wick, and light your homemade soy candle. Enjoy!
On a Final Note:
Anytime you burn a candle for the first time, you want to establish a memory burn. A memory burn is a complete wet pool of hot, melted wax over the entire top portion of the candle. If the first burn is a memory burn, this ensures that every time you burn your candle, you will not have tunneling around the wick or an excess of unmelted wax adhered to the candle jar. A memory burn also guarantees that the scent throw of your candle will be the best possible since every gram of scented wax is being used.

Should I make a Soy candle?

Paraffin vs. Soy Wax Here are a few characteristics to help you compare paraffin and soy wax. Characteristic Paraffin Wax Soy Wax Color after dye Can be light or dark Produces pastel (light) colors Transparency Somewhat transparent Opaque Soot...

<h3 id="paraffin-vs-soy-wax">Paraffin vs. Soy Wax</h3>
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Here are a few characteristics to help you compare paraffin and soy wax.
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<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
Characteristic
</td>
<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
<a href="https://www.theflamingcandle.com/paraffin-wax/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Paraffin Wax</a>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
<a href="https://www.theflamingcandle.com/soy-wax/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Soy Wax</a>
</td>
</tr>
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<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
Color after dye
</td>
<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
Can be light or dark
</td>
<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
Produces pastel (light) colors
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
Transparency
</td>
<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
Somewhat transparent
</td>
<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
Opaque
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
Soot
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<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
Black soot &#x2013; amount depends on additives and wick size
</td>
<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
Clear/hardly visible soot
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
Frosting
</td>
<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
No frosting
</td>
<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
Frosting &#x2013; This is a characteristic that will occur more with natural soy wax (blended soy waxes frost less than straight soy waxes)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
Wet Spots
</td>
<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
Depends on atmospheric changes
</td>
<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
Depends on atmospheric changes. Seems to be less noticeable than paraffin candles.
</td>
</tr>
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<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
Scent Throw
</td>
<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
Ready to burn (and smell) right after the wax cools and hardens. Scent throw will also depend on how much is used, if it is a quality, strong oil, and if the candle is wicked properly.
</td>
<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
Soy candles need time to cure for the scent to be &#x201C;set.&#x201D; We recommend a minimum of 5-6 days. The scent will usually get stronger over a few weeks. Scent throw will also depend on how much is used, if it is a quality, strong oil, and if the candle is wicked properly.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
Types available
</td>
<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
Pillar, container, tart, etc.
</td>
<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
Pillar, container, tart, etc.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
Origin
</td>
<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
By-product of petroleum
</td>
<td style="padding: 0px; border: 1px solid #99acc2;">
Made from soy beans
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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When our customers are deciding on which type of wax to go with, we typically recommend the following when asked for our opinion:
CHOOSE PARAFFIN IF:
- Bright, bold colors are important to you
- The effect of frosting is aesthetically unappealing to you
- You want strongly scented candles without much cure time
CHOOSE SOY IF:
- You like the fact that soy wax comes from soy beans and you are supporting American soybean farmers
- You prefer pastel colors and/or you do not mind frosting (Frosting isn&apos;t very noticeable if you do not add dye. Many soy candle makers do not add dye).
- You do not want to see any black soot coming from the wick.
</div>

What are the differences between Soy Wax and Paraffin?

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