Brooke Martin
Candles have been used for over two millennia, and while they were once a significant form of indoor lighting, they are now more commonly used for functional, symbolic, and aesthetic purposes. The materials used to make candles have changed over time, with early candles made from tallow (animal fat) or beeswax. These candles were expensive and so their use was often limited to the elite and churches. In the mid-1800s, candles were also made from spermaceti, a waxy substance derived from sperm whales, as well as stearin (initially from animal fats, now from palm waxes). Today, most candles are made from paraffin wax, a byproduct of petroleum refining, which has made candles affordable for the masses. Candle-making can also be a fun DIY project, with people often melting wax and adding colours and scents to create personalised candles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials used to make candles | Tallow (animal fat), beeswax, spermaceti (from Sperm whale), stearin, paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax, gel (a mixture of polymer and mineral oil), plant waxes (palm, carnauba, bayberry, soybean wax), soy wax, palm wax, synthetic wax, synthesized wax |
| Wick | Made of paper, cotton, zinc, or wood |
| Fragrance | Added using fragrance oils |
| Burn rate | Beeswax and coconut wax burn longer than paraffin or soy wax |
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What You'll Learn
Paraffin wax
To make a paraffin wax candle, you will need a mould, a melting pot, a water bath, a sauce pan or pot, candle dye beads, and floral wire. First, prepare the mould by pushing the wick through the hole at the bottom. Tie a thin piece of floral wire around the wick to guide it into place, and tie a double knot in the protruding wick. You may use removable sticky tack to prevent wax from running out when poured. Keep the wick in place by tying it around a special metal needle for candle-making and place the needle across the mould's top opening.
Next, melt the paraffin wax in the melting pot, which should be placed in the water bath inside the sauce pan or pot. Heat the wax to approximately 80°C, and then add the dye beads. Use around 2g of dye for every 2kg of paraffin wax. Refer to the packaging for specific instructions.
Finally, pour the melted wax into the mould and let it solidify completely before removing the finished candle. The temperature at which the wax sets will determine the candle's aesthetic. A high temperature will result in a smooth, shiny candle, while a low temperature will give it a rustic look. You may also add 1% Vybar to non-coloured paraffin wax to make the candle a milky white colour and to ensure it is easily released from the mould.
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Beeswax
Another method for making beeswax candles is the hand-dipped technique, which involves melting the beeswax and using the liquid wax to create the candles. To melt the beeswax, you can use the bain-marie method or a double boiler. Place a large pot on the stove and fill it halfway with water. Then, place a smaller pot or pitcher containing the beeswax inside the larger pot and turn the heat to medium. Keep an eye on the beeswax as it melts, and adjust the temperature if needed. Once the beeswax is melted, you can dip a wick into the liquid wax, pull the wick back up, let the wax cool, and repeat the process until you have a candle of the desired thickness.
You can also make beeswax candles by melting the wax in an oven and pouring it into containers with wicks. To do this, place the beeswax pastilles in a jar and put the jar on a cookie sheet in an oven set to 275 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the beeswax is completely melted, remove it from the oven, let it cool, and then cut the wicks.
When making beeswax candles, it's important to choose the right type of wick for the diameter of the candle. A wick that is too small may cause the flame to go out, while a wick that is too large can create a smoky candle. You can experiment with different wicks to find the right size for your candle.
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Animal fat
To make animal fat candles, first melt your tallow or wax in a double boiler. You can use any type of animal fat, such as pork fat, beef fat, lamb fat, or lard. For the wick, cotton or hemp string or cloth will do. You can use a pencil or any other item to hold the wick in place. To prevent the wick from falling into the melted fat, make a boat out of a heat-tolerant material, such as aluminium foil, to float the wick.
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Wicks
Candle wicks are an integral part of the candle-making process. They are responsible for delivering fuel (wax) to the flame, acting as a fuel pump. The size of the wick is critical to the candle's burn quality. If the wick is too thick, excess wax will reach the flame, resulting in black soot. Conversely, a wick that is too thin may fail to light the candle properly.
When making a candle wick, you must first decide on the thickness and length, ensuring it is proportional to the candle size. For a single wick, cut the twine three inches longer than the candle's height. Braided wicks require three equal-length strands, each four inches longer than the candle. Next, melt your chosen wax in a double boiler or heating pot. Completely submerge the twine in the wax for about a minute, using tongs for ease and safety. Remove the wax-coated wick and hang it to dry. You can use a laundry drying rack, protecting the surrounding area with foil and plastic wrap to catch any wax drips.
Wooden wicks have gained popularity for their unique aesthetic and soft crackling sound. They are made from 100% wood, semi-wood, fibrous material, or a combination of cotton and wood. Metal-cored wicks, made from metals like zinc, copper, or tin, are less common due to environmental concerns, but they offer a longer burn time and slower wax consumption.
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Fragrance
There are two main types of scent for candles: fragrance oils and essential oils. Fragrance oils are formulated from many aromatic ingredients derived from nature and created by scientific methods. Natural ingredients include essential oils, resins, and absolutes. Synthetic ingredients, on the other hand, are man-made but are also found in nature and reproduced synthetically using scientific techniques. Fragrance oils differ from pure essential oils because, although many contain natural materials, they are predominantly made up of synthetic chemicals. The benefits of synthetic fragrance oils include their consistency in scent profile, stability, long-lasting aroma, and performance.
Essential oils are distilled down from the oil of the plant from which they were extracted. They are often used in candle-making for their natural and therapeutic properties. While they offer a more subtle scent compared to fragrance oils, they are popular for eco-friendly and aromatherapy candles. Essential oils such as lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint can provide both a pleasant aroma and therapeutic benefits. However, not all essential oils are suitable for candle-making, so it is important to research and test them before use.
Creating a unique candle fragrance involves blending different fragrance oils. Perfumers use top, middle, and base notes to build complex scents. Top notes are the initial impression, middle notes form the heart of the fragrance, and base notes give depth and longevity. For example, a fragrance blend might start with fresh citrus top notes, transition to floral middle notes, and end with warm, woody base notes. Base notes typically make up 40-55% of the fragrance and give it its "staying power". Without them, the fragrance would evaporate quickly and wouldn't provide ample scent throw.
When creating scented candles, it is important to use the right type and amount of fragrance oil for the specific type of wax being used. Each type of candle wax is rated to bond with a different percentage of fragrance oil. For example, most suppliers recommend using 1 oz. of fragrance per 1 lb. of soy wax (which is about 6%). If too much fragrance oil is added, it will leech out of the wax. Additionally, not all fragrance oils are rated to work well with all types of wax, so it is important to mix the right fragrance with the right wax. For example, soy wax bonds better with fragrance oils than paraffin wax due to its softer nature.
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Frequently asked questions
Candles are made out of wax and a wick. The wax is typically paraffin wax, but can also be beeswax, microcrystalline wax, gel (a mixture of polymer and mineral oil), or plant waxes (such as palm, carnauba, bayberry, or soybean wax). The wick is made from paper, cotton, zinc, or wood.
Early candles were made from tallow (animal fat) or beeswax. Tallow candles were cheaper but less aesthetically pleasing.
Ancient Egyptians made candles by dipping reeds in melted animal fat. The Ancient Romans used papyrus instead of reeds. Ancient Chinese people used whale fat and wax from seeds and insects.
Modern candles are typically made from paraffin wax, a byproduct of petroleum refining. They can also be made from beeswax, soy wax, palm wax, gels, and synthesized waxes, as well as blends of waxes.
Wicks are commonly made from paper, cotton, zinc, or wood. Historically, wicks were made with lead, but this was banned in 2003.
