Making Soy Candles
In comparison to paraffin wax candles, soy candles are much cleaner to burn and are natural. It is no wonder that soy candles are growing in popularity. Candle makers who have tried soy wax will pay a little more to achieve a better quality candle.
Being a vegetable wax, soy wax is made from soybean oil that is converted to flakes and further hydrogenated. Most soybeans produced are grown in Indiana, Iowa, and Illinois in the United States. It is generally agreed that soy candles are cleaner to burn than paraffin candles; however, all candles emit some soot and there is no way to escape it. Soy candles create white soot which is harmless and cleaner than the black soot which is emitted when paraffin candles are burned.
The difference between making soy candles and candles made from paraffin is the wax. The techniques and equipment are the same. The best way to melt wax is in a double boiler which is a larger pot and a smaller pot that fits inside. The larger pot is filled with water and the smaller pot is the pot in which the wax is placed to melt. The small pot rests in the hot water of the larger pot. The soy wax is then melted between 150 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit. The wax should not be kept liquid above 150 degrees as it can alter the color of the wax or even burn. The desired color is added when the wax is completely melted. Fragrance may be added after the wax is removed from the heat. The ideal amount of fragrance to add is 7 per cent of the weight of the candle. In other words 1.12 pounces of fragrance oil can be added for each pound of wax. Any higher fragrance amounts will present the risk of bleeding. The soy wax should be between 140 – 150 degrees Fahrenheit. The wax can now be poured into a mold. The candle could crack if the temperature is lower than 95 degrees. Ideally, it should be poured between 95 and 110 degrees. The candle could also crack if the it is cooled in cold water.
Despite the fact that soy wax candles and paraffin wax candles are similar, they do have some differences. Soy wax is not appropriate for some kinds of candles as it is a soft wax. For example, soy wax cannot be used to make taper candles or novelty candles. Soy candles that float can be made if they are at least 3 inches in diameter.
Soy wax candles are just as easy to make as paraffin candles. Making candles is something like cooking; after a new recipe is made once, trying the same recipe another way later might work better. Both paraffin wax and soy wax are similar in that they hold fragrance and color. It can be fun to experiment with different waxes and various techniques to make candles whether for personal use or for selling in a business.
