Ben Carter
Soy candles are known for their long-lasting slow burn and impressive scent throw. However, the curing process is critical to achieving the best results. The curing time for soy candles varies depending on the wax blend and desired fragrance strength. Pure soy candles typically require a longer curing time of around two weeks, while a paraffin-soy blend may only need a week. The curing process allows the wax and fragrance oils to bind, resulting in a stronger scent throw when burned. While some sources suggest that a minimum of 24 hours is sufficient, others argue that this does not allow the candle to reach its maximum potential. Waiting at least a week, and preferably two, ensures the best scent throw and burning experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum curing time | 1 week |
| Maximum curing time | 2 weeks |
| Average curing time | 1-2 weeks |
| Curing time for Paraffin/soy blend | 1 week |
| Curing time for bakery scents | A few days |
| Curing time for other scents | 2-3 weeks |
| Curing time for unscented candles | 24 hours |
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What You'll Learn
Soy candles need to cure for 1-2 weeks
Soy candles need to cure for at least one week and up to two weeks for the best results. Candle curing is a critical component of candle-making, and the curing time is the most crucial and time-consuming part of the process. During the curing process, the wax and fragrance oils incorporate and bind together. It takes time for the wax to set and the scents to find their place in a preferred way. The longer you let your soy candles cure, the more scent they will release.
The general rule of thumb for testing soy wax is 1-2 weeks, but as close to two weeks as your patience allows. The candle-making community believes that most hardening occurs within the first 14 days after pouring, but changes continue for weeks to months after pouring.
If you burn a candle too soon, it will physically burn but will not have a strong scent. To get the best scent out of your candles, it is recommended to let them cure for at least 4-5 days. However, if you want the strongest scent, you should wait the full two weeks.
The curing time also depends on the type of wax and fragrance used. Paraffin/soy blends usually need less time (around one week), while pure soy wax benefits from the full two weeks to get to a good hot throw. Some heavier scents, like bakery scents, are ready to burn more quickly than lighter and more delicate fragrances.
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Longer curing time = stronger scent
Curing is a critical component of candle-making. It can take a week or more, depending on the testing framework in place. The length of time it takes to burn test can vary from a few days to weeks. The general rule of thumb for testing soy wax is 1–2 weeks, but as close to 2 weeks as possible. Pure soy candles need at least 2 weeks to cure, and longer is even better.
The curing time impacts the strength of the scent. As candles cure, oils settle into the wax. Curing for 1–4 weeks gives oil molecules time to bind to wax molecules, and the fragrance becomes embedded in the candle over time. Fully-cured scented candles will have a stronger initial scent when first lit compared to candles burned immediately after pouring. The cooling and settling process improves aroma throw.
The type of wax you use can also amplify how well a candle throws scent. Paraffin wax, a common candle-making base, has very little natural scent itself. Coconut wax, on the other hand, has a mild natural coconut fragrance that helps lift and carry additional scents. Soy wax and beeswax also have light natural scents that can complement other fragrances. Try making candles with different wax types and comparing scent strengths.
There are several ways to make your scented candles release a stronger, longer-lasting aroma. One of the easiest ways to boost the scent from a candle is to add more fragrance oil when making it. For a stronger scent, you can safely increase the fragrance oil to 3–4 ounces per pound of wax without impacting burn quality. Going above 4 ounces starts to saturate the wax and can make it impossible for the candle to hold a wick properly.
Additionally, using dye chips instead of liquid dyes can also boost fragrance. Dye chips are concentrated colour blocks that melt into wax as candles burn. The chips help lock in scent and slow down how quickly oils evaporate from the wax pool. This extends the burn time for fragrances.
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Paraffin/soy candles need less time
Candle curing is a critical component of candle making. While candles can be burned after 24 hours of curing, it is recommended that they are cured for longer. This is because natural waxes, such as soy wax, continue to harden over time due to polymorphic crystallization. This means that a soy candle will be harder two weeks after being poured than it was after two days.
Paraffin wax, on the other hand, reaches almost full hardness within a day or two of pouring. It will also last almost indefinitely if stored at room temperature and kept from getting dirty or dusty. Therefore, paraffin/soy blend candles require less curing time than pure soy candles. While pure soy candles are typically cured for two weeks, paraffin/soy blend candles usually only need to cure for about one week.
The curing time for soy candles also depends on the type of fragrance oil used. Heavier and more intense scents, such as bakery or gourmand fragrances, tend to be ready to burn more quickly than lighter and more delicate scents, which can take two to three weeks to fully develop. Additionally, the curing time can vary depending on the specific brand of soy wax used, as different waxes can have different curing behaviours.
It is worth noting that the subjective nature of fragrance perception can make it challenging to determine the optimal curing time for a candle. While gas chromatography-olfactometry can be used to measure aroma, most candle shops lack the equipment and may rely on subjective rating scales instead. Ultimately, the curing time for a paraffin/soy candle will depend on the desired strength of the fragrance and the specific characteristics of the wax and fragrance oil used.
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Pure soy wax needs 2 weeks
The curing time for pure soy wax candles is a crucial aspect of the candle-making process. While it is possible to burn a soy candle after 24 hours of curing, this does not guarantee the best results. The general consensus is that pure soy wax candles require a minimum of two weeks to cure properly.
The curing process allows the wax to set and the fragrances to bind and find their place, resulting in a stronger scent when the candle is burned. This process takes time and patience, and the longer the curing time, the more scent will be released from the candle. While some sources suggest that one week is sufficient for a strong hot throw, others recommend up to two weeks for optimal results.
The debate around curing time in the candle-making community revolves around measurable and subjective criteria. Fragrance strength, for example, is a critical factor in determining curing time, but it can be challenging to quantify due to individual variations in scent perception. Nevertheless, it is generally agreed that pure soy wax candles require a longer curing time than paraffin or soy-paraffin blend candles, which typically need only 24 to 48 hours.
The curing time for soy wax candles can also depend on the type of fragrance used. Heavier and more potent scents, such as bakery or gourmand fragrances, may be ready to burn more quickly, sometimes in just a few days. However, for lighter and more delicate fragrances, the full two weeks may be necessary to achieve the desired scent throw.
By allowing pure soy wax candles to cure for at least two weeks, you can ensure that the candle will burn properly and release its fragrance effectively. This process may require patience, but it is worth the wait to enjoy a high-quality, eco-friendly candle with an excellent cold throw, long-lasting slow burn, and an opaque white finish.
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Curing impacts the candle's hot throw
Curing is a critical component of candle-making. It is the process of preparing a candle to be burned and can impact the candle's hot throw. Hot throw is a term used to describe the strength of a candle's fragrance while it is burning.
The length of time required for curing depends on the type of wax used. For example, paraffin wax candles usually need to cure for 3-5 days, while soy and other natural waxes should cure for at least 1-2 weeks. The longer the curing time, the stronger the hot throw is likely to be. This is because soy candles continue to harden over time, and a harder candle may require a larger wick to generate enough heat to melt the wax.
The type of fragrance oil used can also impact the curing process. Fragrance oil needs to bind properly with the wax to throw fragrance. If the wax is not hot enough before adding the fragrance oil, the bond may not be strong enough, and the fragrance may not be released effectively during burning. Additionally, adding too much fragrance oil can overload the wax, causing performance issues and impacting the hot throw.
The curing process can also be influenced by subjective factors, such as personal preferences for scent strength. While fragrance load and wax type are important, other factors such as melt pool temperature, container design, flame temperature, and air currents in the room can also impact the hot throw.
Overall, curing plays a crucial role in the hot throw of a candle. While it is possible to burn a candle after 24 hours of curing, longer curing times can improve the strength and quality of the fragrance, as well as ensure the candle burns safely and efficiently.
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Frequently asked questions
The general curing time for soy candles is between one and two weeks.
The curing process allows the wax and fragrance oils to bind together. The longer the curing time, the more scent will be released when the candle is burned.
While it is possible to burn a soy candle without curing it, it is not recommended. Curing a candle for at least 4-5 days will ensure a better scent throw, and a longer curing period will improve the results.
