Chloe Adams
Candles are made up of two main components: the wick and the wax. The wick is the candle's tiny highway, allowing fuel to travel from the wax reservoir to the flame zone. The size and material of the wick directly impact the candle's burn rate, stability, and appearance. The wax, or other combustible material, provides the energy to sustain the flame. It is drawn up the wick by capillary action and vaporizes to create heat, light, and water vapour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Two main components | Wick and wax or other fuel source |
| Wax type | Paraffin wax, soy wax, beeswax, apricot wax, vegetable wax, microcrystalline wax, gel wax, plant waxes (palm, carnauba, bayberry, soybean wax), stearin, tallow |
| Wick type | Cotton wicks, plaited wicks soaked with mineral salts, lead wicks |
| Other components | Heat, light, combustion, oxygen, fragrance |
| Colour | Ivory, pastels, jewel tones, metallics, chromatic layers |
| Fragrance | Cinnamon, mountain breeze |
| Use | Lighting, heat, timekeeping, religious and ceremonial purposes, aesthetics, scent, birthday cakes, political action, remembrance |
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What You'll Learn
The two main components are wick and wax
The two main components of a candle are wick and wax.
The Wick
The wick is a vital component of a candle. It acts as a capillary highway, drawing the liquid wax up and through the wick to the flame. The size and material of the wick directly impact the candle's burn rate, stability, and appearance. For example, a thicker wick will result in a larger flame and faster burn time. The wick should be made from a naturally absorbent material, such as organic cotton, to ensure the wax is easily drawn up.
The Wax
The wax is the fuel that feeds the flame, providing the energy for the candle's glow. It is typically made from paraffin, soy, or beeswax, though there are many other types, including coconut, apricot, and vegetable wax. The wax is solid at room temperature but melts when heated by the flame, turning into a hot gas. This gas then reacts with oxygen in the air to create heat, light, and water vapour.
Other Components
While the wick and wax are the two main components, other elements are often added to candles, such as fragrance, which is commonly added in the United States, with an estimated 75-80% of candles sold in the US being scented. Candles also require oxygen to burn, which reacts with the wax to create energy and form the flame.
Historical Wicks and Wax
Throughout history, candles have been made with a variety of wicks and waxes. Early candles may have been made with beeswax, though this was expensive and limited to the elite and churches. Tallow, rendered from beef or mutton fat, was a cheaper alternative, though less aesthetically pleasing. In the 19th century, improvements were made to wicks, with the introduction of self-trimming or self-consuming wicks.
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Wicks can be made from cotton, metal, or plaited with mineral salts
A candle consists of a wick embedded in wax or another flammable solid substance, such as tallow. The wick is an essential component of a candle, connecting the fuel to the flame. Wicks can be made from a variety of materials, including cotton, metal, or plaited with mineral salts.
Cotton wicks are a popular choice for those seeking an all-natural, clean burn. Organic cotton wicks are naturally absorbent, allowing them to easily draw the wax and fragrance up and through the wick to the flame. This type of wick is free of any metals that may be harmful or affect the burn quality.
Metal wicks are also used in candle-making, although they may not be as commonly found in modern candles. Metal wicks are often used as an economical way to keep wicks straight during the manufacturing process. It is important to ensure that there are no metals in the centre of the wick, as this can be dangerous.
Another type of wick is the plaited wick soaked with mineral salts, introduced in 1825 by a French man named M. Cambacérès. These wicks are self-trimming or self-consuming, curling towards the outer edge of the flame and incinerating themselves. This innovation solved the problem of chared wicks that produced black smoke and needed constant trimming or "snuffing".
The choice of wick material directly impacts the candle's burn rate, stability, and appearance. A well-centred and trimmed wick can also extend the life of a candle. Therefore, it is important to consider the type of wick when crafting or purchasing a candle to ensure the desired burning experience.
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Wax types include paraffin, soy, beeswax, and coconut
Candles are made up of three essential components: the wick, wax, and fragrance. The wax is considered the "fuel" of the candle. There are many different types of candle wax, including paraffin, soy, beeswax, and coconut.
Paraffin wax is a petroleum-based wax that has been used for candle-making since the 1800s. It is the most common type of candle wax and is usually the least expensive option. Paraffin wax holds onto fragrance and colour well, and it is available in various melting points, making it suitable for creating container candles or thick pillars. However, it is not considered eco-friendly as it is derived from the oil industry's by-products.
Soy wax is derived from soybeans, which are a natural, renewable, and eco-friendly resource. It is a more environmentally friendly option compared to paraffin wax. However, there are some concerns about deforestation, fertilisers, and pesticides within the soybean industry. Soy wax has a slower burn time than paraffin wax and a lower melting point, making it less likely to burn too hot. It also produces little to no soot, resulting in a cleaner-burning candle. However, soy wax doesn't hold fragrance as well as some other waxes and can be more difficult to work with due to its temperature sensitivity.
Beeswax is one of the oldest forms of candle wax and is made by bees during the honey-making process. It has a subtly sweet natural scent and a tougher, more solid nature, making it ideal for crafting unscented pillar candles. Beeswax is not vegan, and it is used in smaller quantities than other waxes due to its poor availability.
Coconut wax is derived from coconut oil and has a creamy white appearance. It burns at a cooler temperature than soy wax, resulting in a more even and slower burn. Coconut wax can hold more fragrance than soy wax and has natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It is often blended with other waxes, such as soy wax, to enhance its performance. Coconut wax is a natural, renewable, and eco-friendly option that has gained popularity in recent years. However, pure coconut wax can be challenging to work with due to its delicate structure and inconsistent texture.
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Wicks absorb wax and fragrance, drawing them into the flame
A candle is composed of a wick embedded in wax, or another flammable solid substance, and sometimes, a fragrance. The wick, wax, and fragrance are the three essential components of a candle. The wick, which is naturally absorbent, pulls the liquid wax and fragrance upwards and through it as it touches the flame. This process is known as capillary action.
The size and material of the wick directly impact the candle's burn rate, stability, and appearance. For example, a thicker wick will result in a larger flame and faster burn rate. Different materials also have different absorbency levels, which will affect how much wax and fragrance are drawn into the flame. Organic cotton wicks, for instance, are recommended for a clean burn.
The wax, or fuel, is the energy source that sustains the flame. It is drawn up through the wick and vaporized in the flame, producing heat, light, water vapour, and carbon dioxide. The wax can be made from various substances, including paraffin, soy, beeswax, coconut, and vegetable wax.
The fragrance is an important component that enhances the experience of burning a candle. As the molecules of the fragrance are heated, they emit an aroma. The scent will grow stronger as more wax melts, so larger candles will release more scent. The colour of a scented candle is also important, as consumers expect the colour to match their psychological perception of the fragrance.
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Oxygen is essential for combustion and the creation of light and heat
A candle is an ignitable wick embedded in wax or another flammable solid substance. The two components of a candle are its wax and wick. The wax or other combustible material provides the energy to sustain the flame. The wick is the pipeline that allows the fuel to reach the flame.
The blue area at the base of a candle flame is oxygen-rich. This is where hydrocarbon molecules vaporise and break apart into hydrogen and carbon atoms. The hydrogen is the first to separate and reacts with the oxygen to form water vapour. Some of the carbon burns here to form carbon dioxide. The dark orange-brown region has relatively little oxygen. This is where the various forms of carbon continue to break down and small, hardened carbon particles start to form.
The oxygen-fuel-wick reaction releases energy and creates a mesmerising flame. This is the combustion reaction, where fuel and oxygen come together, releasing energy and forming new products, including the candle's glow. The presence of carbon in the fuel gives the candle flame its yellow colour.
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Frequently asked questions
A candle has two main components: the wick and the wax. The wick connects the wax to the flame, allowing the wax to travel up to the flame through capillary action.
A candle wick is the thin piece of string that runs through the centre of a candle. The wick should be naturally absorbent so it can easily draw the wax and fragrance.
Candle wax is the fuel that feeds the flame. It is a solid substance, usually made from paraffin wax, that melts when it touches the flame.
Besides paraffin wax, other materials used to make candles include beeswax, soy, palm, rapeseed, gels, spermaceti, stearin, and synthesized fuels.
