Brooke Martin
Candles have been made from a variety of ingredients over the years, including animal fat, vegetable fats, beeswax, and whale fat. Today, most candles are made from paraffin wax, which is derived from petroleum. Paraffin wax is inexpensive and works well with fragrance oils and colorants, but it may not be the most sustainable option. Other popular candle-making materials include beeswax, soy, and plant waxes. These options are often more environmentally friendly and burn slower than paraffin wax, but they may be more expensive.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common candle-making materials | Paraffin wax, beeswax, soy, microcrystalline wax, gel (a mixture of polymer and mineral oil), plant waxes (palm, carnauba, bayberry, and soy) |
| Historical materials | Animal or vegetable fats (whale fat, tallow, beef fat), beeswax, spermaceti (oil produced by the sperm whale), colza oil, rapeseed oil |
| Paraffin wax | Made from refined petroleum, inexpensive, works well with fragrance oils and colourants, burns faster, gives off soot |
| Soy wax | Burns cleaner and slower than paraffin, made from soybeans, plant-based, tends to burn longer than paraffin |
| Beeswax | Comes from honeycombs of honeybees and other bees, available in yellow or white varieties, aromatic (yellow) or non-aromatic (white), more expensive than soy wax |
| Fragrance | Essential oils (pure plant extracts, more expensive) or fragrance oils (synthetic, less expensive) |
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What You'll Learn
- Paraffin wax is derived from petroleum and is the most common candle material
- Soy wax is plant-based, burns slower and is a popular alternative to paraffin
- Beeswax is natural but hard to scent, and more expensive
- Microcrystalline wax, gel, and plant waxes are also used in candle-making
- The history of candle-making materials, from animal fats to modern alternatives
Paraffin wax is derived from petroleum and is the most common candle material
The materials used to make candles have evolved over the years, from animal or vegetable fats like whale fat and tallow to beeswax, which was popular in Medieval Europe for its cleaner burn and pleasant scent, though it was expensive. In the 18th century, candles were made from spermaceti, a type of oil produced by sperm whales, and later from colza and rapeseed oils.
Today, most candles are made from paraffin wax, which is derived from petroleum. Paraffin wax is a by-product of crude oil and is the primary ingredient in candle-making. It is inexpensive and versatile, working well with fragrance oils and colourants. However, paraffin wax burns quickly and produces soot and large amounts of particulate pollution, making it a major contributor to air pollution.
While paraffin wax is the most common candle material, other types of waxes are also used, including beeswax, soy wax, and plant waxes like bayberry, carnauba, and palm oil. Soy wax, in particular, is becoming increasingly popular due to its slower burn time and cleaner burn compared to paraffin wax. It is also considered a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option.
The choice between paraffin and soy wax ultimately depends on various factors such as cost, burn time, sustainability, and the desired level of fragrance. While paraffin wax may be cheaper upfront, soy wax offers a longer-lasting and more environmentally conscious alternative.
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Soy wax is plant-based, burns slower and is a popular alternative to paraffin
Candles have been made from a variety of ingredients over the years, including animal fat, vegetable fats, whale fat, tallow, beeswax, and spermaceti. In the 18th century, colza oil and rapeseed oil were used as cheap substitutes. In the mid-1850s, Scottish chemist James Young developed a method of distilling paraffin wax from coal and oil shale. Paraffin wax is made from refined petroleum and has various applications, including lubricants, wax paper, and chewing gum additives.
Today, most candles are made from paraffin wax, although beeswax and soy are also popular, especially among local artisans. Soy wax is a vegetable wax made from hydrogenated soybean oil. It is a popular choice for candle-makers due to its clean-burning properties, its ability to hold scent and color, and its wide range of scents. Soy wax is also renewable, making it a more eco-friendly choice than paraffin wax. It has a lower melting point than paraffin wax, making it less likely to cause a fire hazard and easier to clean up with soap and water. However, soy wax may be more difficult to work with due to its higher density and lower melting point, which can make it challenging to release fragrance. It also tends to be more expensive than paraffin wax, although prices can vary depending on the type of wax and the quantity purchased.
Paraffin wax has several advantages, including being more affordable and having a longer burning time. It is also more widely available and has a higher melting point, making it easier to use in certain applications. However, one of the main drawbacks is that it is not renewable and can release toxins and pollutants into the air when burned, which can be harmful to both humans and the environment.
Overall, soy wax is a popular alternative to paraffin wax for candle-making due to its clean-burning properties, renewability, and ability to hold scent and color. It burns slower than paraffin wax, making it a longer-lasting option, and it is also more environmentally friendly. However, soy wax may be more expensive and challenging to work with, and it may not hold scents as well as paraffin wax.
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Beeswax is natural but hard to scent, and more expensive
The materials used to make candles have evolved over the years, from animal or vegetable fats, such as whale fat and tallow, to beeswax, and eventually, paraffin wax derived from petroleum. While beeswax is natural and has many benefits, it also has some drawbacks compared to other candle materials, such as being harder to scent and more expensive.
Beeswax candles have been valued for their natural, subtle scent, which is reminiscent of honey. This mild fragrance makes beeswax candles ideal for burning during meals as they do not overpower the aroma of food. However, those who prefer strongly scented candles may find beeswax underwhelming, as its natural scent can be challenging to enhance or alter.
Beeswax is a hard wax that burns slowly and powerfully, resulting in longer-lasting candles. To optimize beeswax candles' burn time and prevent tunnelling, it is recommended to burn them for longer periods, allowing the wax to melt close to the jar's edge. This extended burn time contributes to beeswax candles' cost-effectiveness, as they provide more hours of illumination and ambiance compared to other types of candles.
The natural benefits of beeswax candles also contribute to their value. They are eco-friendly, non-toxic, and even edible, making them a healthier alternative to paraffin wax candles, which may contain toxic chemicals. Beeswax candles are also antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial, purifying the air and promoting wellbeing.
However, beeswax candles do come with a higher upfront cost compared to paraffin wax candles. This expense is due to the inherent properties of beeswax, which is a natural and renewable resource. The process of harvesting and refining beeswax may be more labour-intensive and time-consuming, contributing to the higher price point. Nonetheless, some sources argue that beeswax candles are not more expensive when considering their extended burn time and health benefits.
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Microcrystalline wax, gel, and plant waxes are also used in candle-making
The materials used to make candles have evolved over the years, with paraffin wax being the most common ingredient in modern candles. However, candle-makers also use other types of wax, such as microcrystalline wax, gel, and plant waxes.
Microcrystalline wax is a type of petroleum wax derived from refining and de-oiling crude oil. It is denser and more elastic than paraffin wax due to its finer crystals. This type of wax is commonly used in cosmetics and candles, but it also serves as a blending ingredient in adhesives, coatings, and other products. Its flexibility, viscosity, and hardness can be adjusted, making it a versatile choice for candle-making.
Gel candles are made from a mixture of polymer and mineral oil. They offer a unique visual experience as the flame burns through the clear gel, often creating a captivating ambiance.
Plant waxes, including soy, palm, carnauba, and bayberry, are popular alternatives to paraffin and microcrystalline waxes. Soy wax, in particular, is known for its sustainability and environmental friendliness, making it a preferred choice for many consumers. Plant waxes often have a better fragrance yield and burn time, contributing to their popularity.
While paraffin wax remains the most prevalent choice for candle-making, the use of microcrystalline wax, gel, and plant waxes showcases the diversity of materials used in the craft. Each type of wax offers distinct advantages and aesthetics, contributing to the wide range of candles available today.
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The history of candle-making materials, from animal fats to modern alternatives
The history of candle-making is a long and storied one, with candles dating back to ancient civilizations when they were the primary source of light for homes and played a key role in cultural ceremonies and spiritual worship. The materials used to make candles have evolved over the centuries, from early animal fats to modern alternatives like soy wax.
The first candles are often attributed to the Ancient Egyptians, who made rushlights or torches by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat. Evidence suggests that the Egyptians were using wicked candles as early as 3000 BC, but these may not have resembled modern candles and were likely made from plant materials dipped in animal fat. The ancient Romans are generally credited with developing the wicked candle by dipping rolled papyrus repeatedly in melted tallow or beeswax, although the ancient Japanese, Chinese, and Indians also developed their own versions of wicked candles using different materials.
In the Middle Ages, candle makers (known as chandlers) in Europe made candles from animal fats saved from the kitchen or sold their own candles from within their shops. Tallow, fat from cows or sheep, became the standard material used in candles in Europe during this period. Beeswax was also introduced as a candle material in Europe during the Middle Ages, offering a cleaner-burning and better-smelling alternative to tallow, but its expense limited its use to churches and the wealthy.
The growth of the whaling industry in the late 18th century brought the next major change in candlemaking, with spermaceti—a wax obtained by crystallizing sperm whale oil—becoming available in quantity. Spermaceti candles burned cleanly and brightly and were harder than tallow or beeswax, making them superior. In the 1820s, French chemist Michel Eugene Chevreul discovered how to extract stearic acid from animal fatty acids, leading to the development of stearin wax, which burned cleanly and was hard and durable.
In the mid-19th century, Scottish chemist James Young developed a method of distilling paraffin wax from coal and oil shales. Paraffin wax is made from refined petroleum and offered a clean-burning, economical alternative to other candle fuels. With the introduction of the lightbulb in 1879, candlemaking began to decline, but candles enjoyed renewed popularity in the first half of the 20th century due to increased byproducts from the oil and meatpacking industries. Today, most candles are made from paraffin wax, although beeswax and soy wax are also popular, especially among local artisans.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, candles can be made from petroleum. Paraffin wax, a petroleum by-product of crude oil, is one of the most common types of wax used to make candles.
Other ingredients include beeswax, soy wax, microcrystalline wax, gel (a mixture of polymer and mineral oil), and plant waxes (palm, carnauba, and bayberry).
Yes, paraffin wax candles emit large amounts of particulate pollution when burned, contributing to air pollution. They may also contain potentially harmful additives such as phthalates.
Yes, soy wax and beeswax are popular alternatives. Soy wax is more sustainable and environmentally friendly, while beeswax is considered pure and natural but can be difficult to scent.
