Brooke Martin
Calculating the size of a candle is important for both candlemakers and traders. For candlemakers, it is crucial to determine the amount of wax and fragrance oil needed to fill a container, ensuring the candle burns safely and efficiently. This involves understanding the relationship between wax and water, as well as calculating the fragrance load, or the percentage of fragrance the wax can hold. Traders, on the other hand, use different indicators and calculations to determine candle size, such as average true range (ATR) and moving averages, which help them make informed trading decisions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total Weight | Wax Weight + Fragrance Weight |
| Wax Weight | Total Weight x (1 - Fragrance Load) |
| Fragrance Weight | Total Weight x Fragrance Load |
| Wax Weight | Water Weight x Specific Gravity |
| Specific Gravity | 0.86 (Global Average) |
| Total Weight | Water Weight x Specific Gravity x Total Candles |
| Water Weight | Weight of Container + Water - Weight of Empty Container |
| Fragrance Load | Percentage of Fragrance Wax Can Hold |
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What You'll Learn
Water weight conversion
To calculate the amount of wax per candle, you need to measure the weight of water in the container. This is your water weight. Then, multiply this number by 0.8, 0.86, or your calculated value for Specific Gravity, to get the wax weight for that container. Wax weighs 80% to 86% of what water weighs, depending on the type of wax.
For example, if you have a container that holds 100g of water, the wax weight for that container would be 80g to 86g.
You can then multiply this wax weight by the total number of candles you will make from the batch to find the actual total weight of wax needed.
If you are using fragrance oil in your candles, you will need to subtract the weight of the fragrance oil from the total water weight to get the water weight for one candle. The fragrance load is typically 6% to 10% by weight, but this can vary depending on the type of wax and the manufacturer's recommendations.
For example, if you are making six candles with a fragrance load of 10%, you would need to subtract 10g from the total water weight of 100g to get a water weight of 90g for one candle. Multiplying this by 0.8 to 0.86 gives you a wax weight of 72g to 77.4g per candle. Multiplying this by six candles gives you a total wax weight of 432g to 464.4g for the batch.
Therefore, to convert water weight to wax weight, you need to know the specific gravity or relative density of the wax, which is typically around 0.8 to 0.86 for most types of wax.
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Total weight calculation
To calculate the total weight of a candle, you need to consider the weight of the wax and the fragrance oil. The weight of the wax and fragrance oil is referred to as the "total weight" and is different from the "wax weight", which only accounts for the weight of the wax.
The first step in calculating the total weight is to determine the specific gravity or density of the wax. This value represents the relationship between wax and water and is necessary to convert water weight into wax weight. The global average specific gravity for wax is 0.86, but this may vary depending on the type of wax used. Therefore, it is recommended to refer to the supplier or manufacturer's specifications for the specific gravity or density of the wax.
Once you have the specific gravity or density value, you can calculate the total weight using the following formula:
Total Weight = Water Weight x Specific Gravity x Total Candles
Here's a step-by-step guide to calculating the total weight:
- Fill the container with water to your desired height, ensuring you subtract the weight of the container itself.
- Record the water weight in ounces or grams (not fluid ounces).
- Multiply the water weight by the specific gravity (or relative density) of the wax.
- If you are making multiple candles, multiply the value from step 3 by the total number of candles.
- Divide the result of step 4 by the sum of 1 plus the fragrance load percentage. The fragrance load percentage refers to the amount of fragrance your chosen wax can hold. This value can typically be found through the supplier or manufacturer's specifications.
- The final result will give you the total weight required for your desired number of candles, including both the wax and fragrance oil.
It is important to note that fragrance load plays a crucial role in the quality of your candles. Using too much fragrance can result in candles with dry or lumpy wax or even those that do not hold a flame. Therefore, accurate measurements and calculations are essential to ensure optimal candle-making outcomes.
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Wax weight calculation
Wax weight is a crucial calculation in candlemaking. It ensures that your candle containers are properly filled and that your candles burn correctly. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to calculate wax weight:
Step 1: Determine the Volume of Your Candle Container
The volume of your candle container is typically provided in fluid ounces (fl oz) or milliliters (ml). This indicates the amount of space available for the wax. For example, if your candle container has a volume of 16 fl oz, this will be the maximum space you can fill with wax.
Step 2: Understand the Relationship Between Wax and Water
Water is denser than wax, meaning it takes up less space than wax. A common misconception is that the volume of the container is equal to the amount of wax needed. However, this would result in using too much wax. To illustrate this, think of a jar filled with glass marbles representing water and cotton balls representing wax. The cotton balls (wax) take up more space with less weight.
Step 3: Convert Water Weight to Wax Weight
To convert water weight into wax weight, you can use the concept of specific gravity or relative density. Wax weighs approximately 86% of the weight of an equal volume of water. So, as a rule of thumb, you can multiply your water weight by 0.86 to get the estimated wax weight. For example, if you have 9 fl oz of water, the estimated wax weight would be 7.74 oz (9 x 0.86 = 7.74).
Step 4: Account for Additives
If you're adding fragrance oils, dyes, or other additives, you need to account for their weight as well. Fragrance oils are typically added at 6-10% of the total wax weight. To calculate the fragrance oil weight, multiply the wax weight by the percentage of fragrance oil. For example, if you have 8.6 oz of wax and are using 10% fragrance oil, the fragrance oil weight would be 0.86 oz (8.6 x 0.10 = 0.86).
Step 5: Weigh the Container and Wax
For the most precise measurement, weigh the empty container first, then fill it with wax and weigh it again. The difference between these two weights represents the wax weight. This method ensures an accurate calculation of the wax weight needed for your container.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your candles have the correct amount of wax and that your materials are used efficiently, reducing waste and maintaining quality.
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Average candle size
There is no single average candle size, as candles come in a variety of sizes and configurations.
Some common sizes for one-wick candles are 6, 8, 10, and 12 oz. In the EU, candle sizes are usually between 200 and 350 ml. The "easiest" container candles to single-wick are 2.5 to 3 inches in diameter, or 6.5 to 7.5 cm. Candles with a diameter of 4 inches or 10 cm often have double wicks.
Taper candles are often sold in sizes such as 12", 10", 8", and 6". Smaller taper candles may be 10", 6", or 4.5" long. Pillar candles may be 3"x3", 3"x6", or 3"x9". Votive candles are typically smaller, around 2" tall.
The size of a candle depends on its intended use. For example, a votive candle is ideal for travel, gifts, or small settings. A midi-sized candle is suitable for larger settings, and a large candle can be used in open-plan or large rooms.
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Fragrance load
The fragrance load of a candle is an important consideration when making candles, as it can affect the scent throw and the overall quality of the product. The fragrance load refers to the amount of fragrance oil added to the wax as a percentage. This percentage can vary, but typically ranges from 3% to 12% by weight. It is important to note that the maximum fragrance load depends on the type of wax being used, as different waxes have different allowable fragrance loads. This information is usually provided by the supplier or manufacturer.
To calculate the fragrance load, one must first determine the desired percentage of fragrance oil to use. This can vary depending on the desired scent strength and other factors. Once the desired percentage is known, the weight of the wax can be multiplied by the fragrance load (expressed as a decimal) to find the weight of the fragrance oil needed. For example, if one is using two pounds (32 oz/908 grams) of wax and wants to use a 6% fragrance load, the calculation would be as follows:
32 oz/908 grams x 0.06 = 1.92 oz/17.28 grams of fragrance oil needed
Alternatively, the fragrance load can be calculated relative to the total container mass, which includes the weight of the wax and the oil combined. This method is often preferred as it takes into account the total amount of wax and oil required for the batch. Using the previous example, if one is using 32 oz/908 grams of wax and wants to achieve a 6% fragrance load, the calculation would be as follows:
32 oz/908 grams + 1.92 oz/17.28 grams) x 0.06 = 1.92 oz/20.16 grams of fragrance oil needed
It is important to remain consistent in the calculations and to be transparent about the method used on product labels or packaging. Additionally, it is crucial to consider the hot throw of the candle, as adding too much fragrance oil can result in an unpleasant smell. Testing the candles after curing is essential to ensure the desired fragrance load and craftsmanship have come together harmoniously.
There are also fragrance load calculators available online that can simplify the process. These calculators typically require information such as the number of candles being produced, the container size, the fragrance load percentage, and the wax gravity. By inputting this data, one can easily determine the required amount of wax and fragrance oil needed to achieve the desired fragrance load.
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Frequently asked questions
The average candle size can be calculated by taking the average of the last few candles/bars. For example, to get the average candle size for the last hour, you would use the last price in the last 60 candles/bars and divide it by 60.
First, fill the container with water to your desired height. Subtract the container weight from the water weight. Multiply the value by 0.86 (or use a different specific gravity if you have it). Divide the total weight by the sum of 1 plus the fragrance load.
Fragrance load is the percentage of fragrance that your chosen wax can hold. This percentage can vary depending on the type of wax used. Using too much fragrance can result in candles with dry or lumpy wax or even produce candles that do not hold a flame.
The total weight of a candle is the sum of the weight of the wax and the fragrance oil. To calculate the total weight, multiply the water weight by the specific gravity, then multiply this value by the total number of candles in the batch.
You can use indicators such as Average True Range (ATR) or custom indicators. For example, you can set an indicator to alert you when the current candle is a certain percentage larger than the previous X number of candles.
