Tyler Brooks
Adding objects to candles is a dangerous trend, with safety being a huge concern. Hard and fast rules of candle-making dictate that nothing flammable or combustible should be added to a candle. However, wax embeds are a safe option to add to soy candles. These are molded wax pieces that can be used as decorations, such as hearts or flowers, and will melt along with the candle. It is important to note that the size of the embeds and the length of the wick should be considered to avoid the wax drowning out the wick.
Characteristics and Values of Adding Objects into Soy Candles
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Object | Wax embeds |
| Materials | Soy wax, pillar wax, fragrance oils, essential oils, dye |
| Process | Pour wax into molds, use molded pieces as decoration, add fragrance oil at 185°F (85°C), stir gently, pour wax into jars at 135°F (57.2°C) |
| Safety | Do not add flammable or combustible objects, avoid embedding large objects that may drown out the wick |
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What You'll Learn
Embed wax shapes
Embedding wax shapes in candles is a great way to embellish your creations. Here is a step-by-step guide to embedding wax shapes in soy candles:
Prepare your workspace
Before you begin, ensure your workspace is covered with a plastic tablecloth, wax paper, or newspaper. Have paper towels or rags ready in case of spills. Gather all the materials you need, including your wax, moulds, and any decorations or colours you wish to use.
Melt the wax
Place your wax in a heat-proof container and create a double boiler by placing it in a pot of simmering water. Melt the wax until it reaches a temperature of around 60°C. You can also use a hot plate for this step. Weigh your wax before melting to ensure you have enough for your desired number of candles.
Prepare your moulds
If you are using a large candle mould, spray the inside with a mould release. For smaller candles, this step is not always necessary. Cut your candlewick to twice the length of the mould and secure it with a wick holder or chopstick. Thread the wick through the wick holder at the base of the mould, pull it taut, and cut it about an inch longer than the mould's base. Coil the excess wick and secure it with tape.
Pour the base wax
Pour the melted wax into your moulds, leaving a couple of inches of space at the top for your wax shapes. Leave the base wax to settle for at least an hour.
Prepare your wax shapes
While the base wax is settling, pour your wax for the shapes into separate moulds and leave to settle for an hour. You can use wax dye to create coloured shapes if desired. Once the wax has solidified, pop the shapes out of the moulds.
Embed the shapes
Remove the wick centering tool from the base wax and position your wax shapes into the mould. Re-melt the remaining wax and pour it into the mould to create an embedding effect. Leave the candles to set overnight.
Finish the candles
Once your candles have set, trim the wicks to around 5mm for the perfect burning measurement. You can also add warning labels to the bottom of each candle. Your embedded shape soy candles are now ready!
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Add fragrance oils
Adding fragrance oils to soy candles is a fun and simple process, but it is important to get it right to ensure your candles smell wonderful. Firstly, it is important to know the flashpoint of the fragrance oil you are using. This is the temperature at which the oil becomes combustible and may catch alight. Generally, you should add your fragrance oil when your wax temperature is between 50-55°C, but this will vary depending on the wax and the oil, so do check the flashpoint of your chosen oil. You should add the oil when the wax is fully melted, usually around 175-185°F, and then allow it to cool slightly before adding the oil. The ideal temperature for adding fragrance oil is around 155-165°F.
The amount of fragrance oil you add is also important. Most wax manufacturers recommend a fragrance load of 6-8% with a maximum of 10-12%. A higher percentage may impact the flame's ability to burn through the oil and cause disturbances to the top of the candle. A good rule of thumb is to start with 1oz of fragrance per 1lb of wax. You can then adjust this depending on the strength of the oil—for example, oils containing vanilla tend to be stronger, so you may want to use less. Citrus and herbal oils, on the other hand, tend to be lighter and may burn off too quickly, so you may want to use more or blend them with a higher-density oil.
It is also important to note that soy wax takes longer to bind with fragrance oils than other types of wax. Allowing your candle to cure for several days before burning will help the fragrance molecules to fully bind with the wax. Finally, remember that soy wax is prone to frosting, which looks like small snowflakes or crystallization on the surface. This is purely aesthetic and cannot be fixed, but you can reduce it by pouring at a higher or lower temperature, stirring less, and only stirring when adding fragrance oil.
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Use essential oils
Soy candles with essential oils are a great option for creating a natural and eco-friendly home fragrance. Soy wax is a renewable and biodegradable resource, making it a more sustainable option than traditional paraffin wax. Essential oils provide a natural alternative to synthetic fragrances and can offer aromatherapy benefits.
When making soy candles with essential oils, it is important to use heat-stable oils and apply them when the temperature is between 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit (48.9-54.4 degrees Celsius) to avoid degradation of the oil's strength. The recommended ratio is around 30-35 drops of oil for every 160 grams of soy wax flakes, ensuring the fragrance load does not exceed 10% of the wax amount.
It is also crucial to avoid overheating the wax, as this can limit fragrance release and cause discoloration and uneven burning. The use of a double boiler is recommended to maintain optimal temperatures. Additionally, ensure the wick is centered to prevent uneven burning or tunnelling, which wastes wax.
For a warm and cozy scent, try essential oils like orange and cinnamon. For a calming and refreshing aroma, lavender and peppermint work well. If you're after a spa-like setting, bergamot and clary sage are excellent choices. Spicy combinations like clove, nutmeg, and ginger add warmth, while lemon and vetiver provide a refreshing and invigorating fragrance.
When blending your own scents, consider using a 60/40 ratio or dividing the drops equally for a balanced combination. For example, if you're using lavender and rosemary, use 16 drops of each for a balanced aroma.
Essential oils are a popular choice for soy candles due to their natural therapeutic benefits and environmentally friendly nature. However, they can be more fragile than fragrance oils, so it is important to use them properly to avoid any adverse reactions.
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Add dye for colour
Adding dye to your soy candles is a great way to make them unique and interesting. Soy wax tends to produce more pastel shades, and you will not be able to achieve the same bold colours that can be obtained with paraffin wax. Soy dye flakes are generally recommended for pastel to medium colours, but it is possible to achieve deep shades with these flakes.
Candle dye is a special kind of pigment or colourant that dissolves in wax and gives it colour. It is formulated to blend evenly with oil-based products, unlike water-based dyes which do not mix with wax. Candle dye comes in the form of dye chips, dye blocks, liquid dye, or dye flakes. The latter are harder to measure accurately and may lead to inconsistent results if you are trying to make multiple batches of candles look the same.
Liquid dyes can be added once the wax is fully melted, at around 185° F. Very little mixing is required, but you should still give it a quick stir to ensure the dye is fully blended. The amount of liquid dye you need depends on the type of wax and your desired result. For paraffin wax, you need 1-2 drops per pound of wax, whereas coconut and soy waxes generally need 2 or more drops to get bright colours. Keep in mind that the colours will always look darker when the wax is in liquid form.
Dye flakes are easy to use and yield consistent results. For a medium shade, the recommended usage is 1/4 teaspoon to 1 pound of wax. For a dark shade, 1/2 teaspoon to 1 pound of wax should be plenty. To test the shade of your colour before pouring, take a small strip of parchment paper and dip it into the wax, then let it cool. As the wax cools, you will be able to see what the final colour will look like.
You can also experiment with adding liquid dye and candle dye chips together, or blending different colours of dye to create custom colours.
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Adjusting the wick
Firstly, consider the diameter of your candle. For smaller candles with a diameter of 3.5 inches or less, a single wick should suffice. However, for larger candles exceeding 4 inches in diameter, it is recommended to use multiple wicks rather than a single, thicker wick, as the latter can produce excessive smoke and soot.
The type of wax is another critical factor in wick selection. Soy wax, being a vegetable-based wax, typically requires a larger wick size compared to paraffin wax. It is important to choose a wick that can generate enough heat to ensure a stable burn, considering the melting point and density of soy wax.
Additionally, fragrance oils or essential oils used in your soy candle can impact wick selection. Some fragrances may require a larger wick for better burning characteristics. It is important to note that too much oil can lead to a weaker flame, so finding the right balance is crucial.
When selecting a wick, you should also consider the level of carbon buildup (mushrooming) and smoke production. Some wicks, like the ECO series, are designed to minimize mushrooming and smoke, making them a suitable option for soy candles. These wicks are coreless, cotton braided wicks with paper filaments that provide increased rigidity and controlled curling, resulting in cleaner burning.
Lastly, always refer to wick size charts and recommendations as a starting point, but don't be afraid to experiment and conduct your own development testing. By testing different wicks, you can fine-tune your soy candle's performance, ensuring optimal burning characteristics, fragrance release, and a pleasant overall experience.
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Frequently asked questions
It is not recommended to add objects to your candles due to safety concerns. However, wax embeds are a safe option to add to your candles.
Pour your wax into moulds, and use those moulded pieces as decorations for your candles.
You can make various shapes with wax embeds, such as hearts or flowers.
You can use pillar soy wax for wax embeds. However, since it is not meant for containers, you might need to adjust the number of embeds and wick length.
Yes, you can add fragrance oils or candle-approved essential oils to your soy candles.
