Candle Wax
and
Candle Making Supplies
A Guide To The Basic Raw Materials Found in Candles
|
When it comes
to candles, determining where there is quality and where there is little
quality is not an easy task. It is hard to resist the candles with the
cheap price tags over the more expensive when they look so similar.
So what's the difference? There is a difference, but it is not easily seen at point of purchase (although beware of cheap scented candles manufactured overseas). It will be revealed when you start to burn the candle. Look for smoking wicks, soot marks on the walls where your are burning your candles, fragrance that gives you a headache (and not because you have general fragrance sensitivities), candle spills in short time frames. If you have followed the instructions that came with your candle, and you still are having problems, you likely have a poor quality product. For more on the general rules when burning candles, click here. With candles often you get what you pay for...that's not too say that some prices aren't overly inflated and you can't get great quality at a good price. You just have to understand a few of the basics. First of all get to know what generally makes a candle, a quality candle. Second, always read the instructions that come with that candle...there are different types of wax, as you find out below, and different sizes and types of candles. All factors which will determine how you burn your candle. A quality candle is often hand made, and will use high grade candle wax and tested conscientious wax formulas for cleaner burning candles. A quality candle has an appropriate wick based on size and type of candle ie. pillar, container , taper etc, (stay away from lead...) and tested with consistent results. A quality candle will use quality fragrance oils and high quality blends when synthetic fragrance is blended in. Other basic materials such as mold release, polybar, stearic acid, are additives to candle wax that bring better function to the candle making process and the resulting candle. *Note: Candles with color, that have used dye in their formula, need special attention since that dye has the potential to seep into porous surfaces. You should always place a candle on a proper base, but especially so with colored candles. If you are looking for great candle making supplies, click here. |
|
|
According to the National Candle Association all quality tested candle wax formulations will burn well, cleanly and safely when used properly. The maker of the candle chooses a wax and formulation based on the end candles needs. There are five major groupings of candle wax; petroleum wax, beeswax, vegetable wax, synthetic wax and gel wax. All have degrees of quality as a result of their refinement process. Petroleum
Wax Petroleum is refined for gasoline, oil etc. and a
byproduct of this process is wax. There are three types of wax;
paraffin, microcrystallines,
and petrolatum. The most predominantly wax used in the candle making
industry is paraffin. Microcrystallines is usually an additive to a
wax formula offering low oil and higher melting point, and petrolatum is a
blend of microcrystallines and oil and often used in container wax
formulas. Paraffin is produced from refining crude
oil and this refinement occurs in varying degrees creating varying degrees
of quality. The less oil content, the cleaner the candle will burn.
Paraffin candle wax that has 3-5% oil content is referred to
as scale waxes, 1-3% semi- refined, and fully refined paraffin waxes have
oil contents less than .5%. Another factor that varies in
waxes is the melting point. Paraffin wax has a melting point range of
120-160 degrees. Lower melting point wax is often found in container
candles and higher melting point wax is used for pillars or candles that
need to hold there form. Beeswax
is a product of honey bees as honeycombs are filled with honey. When
the honey is collected, the
honey is separated from the beeswax and then the wax is soaked in boiling
water. It is then filtered to remove impurities and will separate in
the water and rise to the surface where it is then collected. Vegetable
waxes are derived from plant parts: Soy Wax is
one of the most popular forms of candle wax at the moment and it is made
from soybean oil which comes from the soybean. Bayberry
Wax comes from the berries of the bayberry shrub. The berries
have a waxy coating on their skin and when boiled, the wax separates
and can be collected. Palm Wax comes from the palm
oil of a palm tree. Synthetic Wax is wax derived as
a result of lab work and the combination of chemicals. Synthetic wax
is primarily used as an additive to bring benefits to the wax formula like
higher melting point. Gel Wax is a relatively new
type of product and very popular a couple of years ago when it first
entered the marketplace. It is made from mineral oil combined with
another agent to give a clear rubbery |
|
|
Wicks
The most common types of wicks used with candle wax are cotton, zinc core and coated wicks. If you find your candle flame is smoking, the wick used was too large and if you find your candle dripping, the wick used was too small. It is also important to pay attention to the individual candle's burning instructions because they will tell you not only to keep your wick trimmed, but what size to keep it trimmed to. It makes sense, large flame from long wicks melt too much wax to be consumed by the flame and therefore will spill. They also will cause uneven burning. Cotton wicks include, flat plait and square braided. Flat plait is often used in dipped or candles with small diameter, other wise, square braided is the most common wick used for rolled (like beeswax) or poured free standing candles. Zinc Core Wick function to allow a wick to stand up on its own and are found most commonly in tealights, votive candles, container and floating candles. This type of candle generates a large pool of wax when burning and needs a wick that does not need to be supported by wax. This type of wick has a wick tab attached at the bottom. Warning: Zinc core wicks should not be confused with lead wicks. To test the nature of the metal wick, see if the metal will write and leave marks like a pencil. Coated wicks and tabs are an option in place of zinc core for use in container candles, and also have a metal tab at the end to ensure the wick will stand up. For use in container candles as an alternative to zinc core wick. These wicks have a wax coating and a round metal tab already attached to one end. Available in 4 diameters, LX10 being the smallest, LX18 the largest. Please order by weight. |
|
|
Fragrance
Candles can be scented using fragrance oils which are naturally and synthetically derived and appeal is in the nose of the beholder. North American product generally use good quality fragrance oils and when candles are made and burned properly, pose no health risks. Also, whether the fragrance is a naturally derived plant essential oil or a synthetic composition, does not impact safety. However, there is a difference in user benefits. All scented candles, will bring a psychologically positive smelling sensory experience, generally (unless of coarse the fragrance is over the top or not appealing to the user, or fragrance sensitive). According to the National Candle Association, scented candles should not burn any differently than unscented candles;" A well-made scented candle – like an unscented candle – produces harmless water vapor and carbon dioxide when burned. The only difference with a scented candle is that a fragrance is released as well." Too much fragrance may possibly no longer have a "clean" burn and may burn improperly. Aromatherapy,
on the other hand, uses pure natural essential oils that bring
proposed physiological benefits through smelling, massage or
ingestion. Ironically, most aromatherapy slated products actually
contain synthetic simulations of essential oil, or a compound with very
little of the essential oil. Enough likely to benefit
psychologically, but not enough to benefit physiologically. |
| Information Resource and Great Candle Supplies Company: Bee Cee Wicks and Wax ; National Candle Association, and Candlewic.com |
Copyright © Yazart.com. All rights reserved. shipping & payment about us