Brooke Martin
Colonial Candle is a candle company that was founded by Mabel Baker in 1909. The company claims that their candles are made with premium wax and 100% cotton wicks, ensuring exceptional quality and a long-lasting burn. While the company does not explicitly mention the use of paraffin in their candles, it is known that paraffin was commonly used in candle-making during the colonial era due to its affordability and availability. Paraffin, first made from coal tar in the early 1800s, became commercially viable around 1850 when James Young patented its production from coal. Today, Colonial Candle offers scented jar candles with burn times of up to 60 hours, and their products are paraben-free, prioritizing the safety of their customers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colonial candles | Made from beeswax or bayberry wax |
| Paraffin was first made commercially in 1850, after being derived from coal tar in the early 1800s | |
| Paraffin was used to make high-quality candles | |
| Colonial Candle brand | Products are paraben-free |
| Uses premium wax and 100% cotton wicks |
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$16.99 $19.99
$33.99 $38.61
What You'll Learn
Paraffin was used to make high-quality candles
In the early 1800s, paraffin was first derived from coal tar. Around 1850, it became commercially viable when James Young patented a method of producing it from coal, which was extensively mined in the eastern United States. Paraffin was used to make high-quality candles, and with the invention of machines that could produce 1500 candles per hour, they became affordable and widely available.
Paraffin, also known as petroleum wax or fully-crystalline wax, is a by-product of oil. It is the most commonly used candle wax on the market today and has been for some time. Paraffin wax is created by removing the naturally occurring waxy substance from petroleum during the refining process. This substance is then purified through steps such as hydrofinishing and clay filtration to create fully refined paraffin, which is non-toxic and odourless.
The use of paraffin in candles has been controversial due to concerns about its toxicity. However, studies have shown that fully refined paraffin wax is not toxic and is chemically distinct from less refined waxes, which should not be used for candle-making. The "paraffin is toxic" sentiment likely originated from valid concerns about less refined paraffin waxes, which contain impurities and undesirable compounds.
Paraffin wax is prized for its exceptional hot throw, which is the distribution of fragrance from a lit candle. While it is possible to achieve a strong hot throw with plant-based waxes, it often requires a higher fragrance load, which can be costly and challenging to manufacture. Paraffin wax is also versatile and can be blended with other waxes to achieve the performance characteristics of paraffin with the price benefits of other waxes.
In summary, paraffin was historically used to make high-quality candles that were widely available and affordable. Today, it remains the most commonly used candle wax due to its exceptional performance characteristics, ease of manufacturing, and versatility in creating unique wax blends.
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Beeswax candles were expensive
Colonial candles were made of paraffin, which was first derived from coal tar in the early 1800s and became commercially viable around 1850. Paraffin candles were inexpensive and widely available. However, beeswax candles, which were also used in colonial times, were expensive.
Beeswax candles also tend to be handmade, which adds to their cost. However, beeswax candles are a natural, organic product with a range of benefits that make them worth the price for many consumers. For example, beeswax candles burn cleaner and longer than other types of candles, and they emit a pleasant honey-like aroma without the need for added fragrances. Beeswax candles also have a high melting point, which means they are slower to melt and can withstand warmer conditions. This makes them last longer and produce minimal smoke, providing more hours of natural candlelight.
While beeswax candles may be more expensive upfront, they can actually be more cost-effective in the long run. Because they burn longer and slower, fewer replacements are needed over time. This makes them a good choice for those who frequently use candles and want to get more hours of light from each candle. Additionally, beeswax candles have eco-friendly and purifying qualities, emitting negative ions that help remove dust particles and allergens from the air, which may be another reason why some consumers are willing to pay a higher price for them.
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Paraffin candles were widely available
Prior to the widespread availability of paraffin, beeswax was used to make candles. However, beeswax was expensive and not widely available, so only the very rich could afford to use candles made from beeswax as a daily source of light. Some colonists made candles from the waxy coating of bayberries, but these were not as common as paraffin candles.
Today, paraffin candles are no longer the major source of light in homes, but candles have grown in popularity and are often used to create a cozy atmosphere or for special occasions. While I cannot confirm if Colonial Candle's products contain paraffin, they do claim to use "premium wax" and "world-class manufacturing".
Paraffin candles were an important source of light in Colonial America, and their widespread availability due to mass production and affordable paraffin wax contributed to their popularity.
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Paraffin was first made from coal tar
Paraffin, also known as petroleum wax, is a colourless soft solid derived from petroleum, coal, or oil shale. It consists of hydrocarbon molecules containing 20 to 40 carbon atoms. Paraffin is solid at room temperature and has a melting point above 37°C and a boiling point above 370°C.
In the early 1800s, paraffin was first derived from coal tar. Around 1830, German chemist Karl or Carl von Reichenbach created paraffin wax while attempting to develop a method to efficiently separate and refine waxy substances naturally occurring in petroleum. This marked a significant advancement in candle-making technology, as paraffin burned more cleanly and was cheaper to produce than beeswax and tallow.
Paraffin became commercially viable around 1850 when James Young filed a patent to produce it from coal, which was extensively mined in the eastern states. The production of paraffin enjoyed a boom in the early 20th century due to the growth of the oil and meatpacking industries, which created paraffin as a byproduct.
Today, paraffin has various applications, including lubrication, electrical insulation, candles, crayons, and use in the medical, agricultural, and cosmetic industries.
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Bayberry wax was another alternative
In the early 1800s, paraffin was first derived from coal tar, and by 1850, it became a commercially viable product. This made candles inexpensive and widely available. However, in Colonial America, candles were primarily made from tallow or animal fat, which had a strong, unpleasant smell.
Bayberry wax candles have a subtle, spicy fragrance and an earthy smell. They have a lower melting point than beeswax, requiring a smaller wick size to prevent the candle from melting faster than the wick can take up the wax. The colour of the wax varies from pale sage green to olive green, depending on growing conditions, and it develops a white blush as it cools and crystallizes.
To make bayberry wax candles, bayberries are boiled in water, then filtered through cheesecloth. The mixture is cooled, allowing the bayberry wax to separate and harden. This wax is then melted with beeswax to make bayberry taper candles. A 1:1 ratio of bayberry wax to beeswax will produce fragrant candles with a green hue.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Colonial Candles are made with premium wax and 100% cotton wicks. They are paraben-free.
Colonial Candles are made with premium wax and 100% cotton wicks. They are paraben-free. In Colonial America, candles were generally made from rolled sheets of beeswax, which was expensive and only accessible to the rich. Some colonists also made wax from bayberries, which have a natural waxy coating.
Paraffin was first made commercially viable around 1850, which is much later than the Colonial period. Paraffin was used to make inexpensive, widely available candles. Colonial Candles are made with premium wax and are known for their exceptional quality.
