To get started with creating your own great candles, there are at least three types of wax that you want to be familiar with.
They are paraffin, soy, and gel wax.
Let's take a look at the characteristics and benefits of each of these types of wax so you can decide for yourself.
Using paraffin wax Paraffin wax is one of the oldest kind of wax used for candle making.
It's relatively cheap, easy to manufacture, and even easier to use for DIY candle projects.
You can also use it for a variety of different candle making projects.
So, whether you plan on making votive candles or container candles, paraffin wax will be an ideal choice for your project.
Depending on what brand you use, this type of wax has different melting points.
Melting points are important to note, because the melting point of a particular wax determines the longevity of the wax when they are being used.
How are paraffin wax produced? After crude oil is extracted from the earth, it gets refined into different kinds of fuel, such as gas, diesel fuel, aviation fuel, etc.
The process of refining crude oil produces paraffin wax as waste...
or by-product.
Does this mean that it's bad to use paraffin wax because it's derived from crude oil? Not really.
Paraffin is harmless and it's basically just a component of oil.
So instead of throwing away a component of crude oil, you are actually helping out by using it for your candles.
Using soy wax Since a lot of people dislike the idea of using anything related to petroleum, the idea of creating "natural candles" took hold of many candle makers some years ago.
At the forefront of the 'green movement' in candle making was soy wax.
People like soy wax because it's easy to use, it's not made from crude oil, and it's not as pricey as beeswax.
Soy wax is manufactured with soybean oil - so it's basically derived from food.
Most waxes are not 100% soy wax; these combinations are called soy blends.
Using gel wax If you have been to a specialty candle store, you have probably seen newer, colorful candles that have a soft, gel-like feel to them.
These candles are crafted with gel wax.
Gel wax is not a kind of wax.
It's a synthetic product manufactured from mineral oil.
Resin is added to the oil to make base material firmer.
Firmer gel waxes can be used for freestanding, pillar candles.
Learn more about the different types of candle wax, their characteristics, and how to choose the right type of wax for your DIY candle projects.
They are paraffin, soy, and gel wax.
Let's take a look at the characteristics and benefits of each of these types of wax so you can decide for yourself.
Using paraffin wax Paraffin wax is one of the oldest kind of wax used for candle making.
It's relatively cheap, easy to manufacture, and even easier to use for DIY candle projects.
You can also use it for a variety of different candle making projects.
So, whether you plan on making votive candles or container candles, paraffin wax will be an ideal choice for your project.
Depending on what brand you use, this type of wax has different melting points.
Melting points are important to note, because the melting point of a particular wax determines the longevity of the wax when they are being used.
How are paraffin wax produced? After crude oil is extracted from the earth, it gets refined into different kinds of fuel, such as gas, diesel fuel, aviation fuel, etc.
The process of refining crude oil produces paraffin wax as waste...
or by-product.
Does this mean that it's bad to use paraffin wax because it's derived from crude oil? Not really.
Paraffin is harmless and it's basically just a component of oil.
So instead of throwing away a component of crude oil, you are actually helping out by using it for your candles.
Using soy wax Since a lot of people dislike the idea of using anything related to petroleum, the idea of creating "natural candles" took hold of many candle makers some years ago.
At the forefront of the 'green movement' in candle making was soy wax.
People like soy wax because it's easy to use, it's not made from crude oil, and it's not as pricey as beeswax.
Soy wax is manufactured with soybean oil - so it's basically derived from food.
Most waxes are not 100% soy wax; these combinations are called soy blends.
Using gel wax If you have been to a specialty candle store, you have probably seen newer, colorful candles that have a soft, gel-like feel to them.
These candles are crafted with gel wax.
Gel wax is not a kind of wax.
It's a synthetic product manufactured from mineral oil.
Resin is added to the oil to make base material firmer.
Firmer gel waxes can be used for freestanding, pillar candles.
Learn more about the different types of candle wax, their characteristics, and how to choose the right type of wax for your DIY candle projects.