Return to the Soap & Candle Making Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
Candle making - Soy Wax vs. Paraffin?
| | |
Posted by sazzy1 (My Page) on Thu, Apr 24, 08 at 20:42
I just started a new hobby "candle making " and trying to learn about the different waxes. I been reading so much about how Soy is so much better then paraffin - burns cooler, cleaner,longer...... etc. BUT to my SURPRISE I just found out that "Party Lites Candles" are 100% PARAFFIN and my opinion P L are still the best candles ever made. I have not seen a candle yet that burns "cleaner and longer" They virtually leave no residue. I love them, I just wish they were higher scented.
Anyhow how come so many people are saying soy burns longer and cleaner? NO WAY! Maybe cleaner for "the environment" I can believe that. And I'm convinced that P L is still the most selling candle there is and yet it is Paraffin.....
So far I have poured 3 batches of candles ( 3 different types of Soy) with poor results :-( I know it's a lot of trial and error - but I think the next batch I'll try paraffin!
7 hours ago - 3 days left to answer.
Report It
|
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Candle making - Soy Wax vs. Paraffin?
| | |
| I don't think I have an answer because I am just starting to make candles for a hobby too. I haven't had very good luck with ones that really throw a scent. Any tips you could provide would be great. I bought soy wax and used 1 oz fragrence per 1 lb. Heated it to 175, added fragrence, let it cool to sbout 120 and then poured. It smells good when you stick your nose next to it- but doesn't smell at all when you burn it. |
RE: Candle making - Soy Wax vs. Paraffin?
| | |
Hello, I read your post and use to buy & sell Party Lite candles. I stopped using them when I found out that Party Light candles are not all made here in the USA which we did not like since we had no knowledge of the quality of the materials used in making their candles. We agree, Party Lite had a nice scent throw but the soot is far too much for our liking. We couldnt help wonder what it was doing to our lungs. So to find a healthier alternitive to burning candles, Many years ago, I became interested in making my own candles. I have sold them in my own retail locations for years. I have made all sort of candles using many types of waxes. Overall (next to beeswax) we prefer soy wax. There is no dispute that soy wax is a much cleaner wax to burn. We have had great results from our soy candles and our customers come back for more. We found that measuring our fragrances by weight, not by volume gave us a better scent throw. We also found that buying a higher quality of fragrance oil also worked well for us. At times, depending on the fragrance, we have used 1.5 ounces (by weight) of fragrance oil per pound of wax. Keep in mind, wax is like a sponge and can only hold so much fragrance oil. Too much oil and you can get the opposit effect and have a poor scent throw. It is important to mix the fragrance oils very well to make sure they bind to the wax. Without aggitating, we mix ours for about two minutes. Hope this is helpful.
Debbie |
RE: Candle making - Soy Wax vs. Paraffin?
| | |
| Well soy wax is great for the obvious reason - it's all natural and eco-friendly. However, the disadvantages are that it can be really hard to work with,especially when you're just starting out. It doesn't hold fragrance and color the same as paraffin so it will take more testing to get right. My advice is to start out with paraffin because it's the cheapest and the easiest to use. Get to know candle making a bit and then expand your horizons to testing with soy wax. |
Here is a link that might be useful: EverGlowCandlesAndGifts
RE: Candle making - Soy Wax vs. Paraffin?
| | |
| I wanted to add that it's important that you allow the wax to cool to a temperature of 130 to 165 degrees before adding fragrances or the fluid of the wax will evaporate the scent, thus explaining why the scent throw is none when you burn your candle. This is why candle making is commonly called cold pour candlemaking and why it's important to monitor your melting temp. Also, parrifin is a patroleum and why so many don't won't to use it anymore and select soy wax for all natural and clean, safer candles. I love the ole timey recipe that has been around for centuries to make pillar candles, but I commonly use a soy/parrifin blend for cold pour jar candle making. If you would like this recipe, please email me. I also make a soy wax candle that doubles as a lotion candle, cool enough that while burning you can touch it and rub the wax into the skin. Needless to say, this has become a favorite among my customers and retailers. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Dandysoap
|
|
|
|
