Chloe Adams
Candles are made from wax, a wick, and oil. The wax can be paraffin, soy, beeswax, coconut, apricot, or a combination of waxes. Paraffin wax is the most common type of wax used to make candles due to its inexpensiveness and ability to hold fragrance oils and colorants. However, it is neither biodegradable nor natural, releasing soot and toxins into the air. As a result, soy wax, a vegetable wax made from extracted soybean oils, has become a popular alternative. Beeswax, one of the oldest wax types, is another natural alternative to paraffin but comes with a heftier price tag. Wicks are typically made from cotton, wood, or zinc, with cotton being the most common material due to its self-combusting property.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Basic Ingredients | Wax, wick, oil |
| Wax Types | Paraffin wax, beeswax, soy wax, palm wax, gels, synthetic waxes, coconut wax, microcrystalline wax, plant waxes, whale fat, tallow, colza oil, rapeseed oil, spermaceti |
| Wick Types | Wood, cotton, zinc, metal-core |
| Oil Types | Fragrance oils, essential oils, aniline-based dye |
| Other Additives | Colorants, solvents |
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What You'll Learn
Wicks: made from cotton, wood, or zinc
Wicks play a crucial role in candles, absorbing the melted wax to keep the flame burning. The size of the wick significantly influences the rate of burning, with larger wicks leading to faster melting and smaller wicks causing "tunneling", where only the centre of the candle burns. Wicks can be made from cotton, wood, or zinc, each with its own characteristics.
Cotton wicks, unlike wooden wicks or those with zinc cores, require wick holders to remain upright. Cotton wicks are also known for their slow and even burning, making them a longer-lasting option. They are commonly used in candles due to their ability to absorb wax effectively and provide a consistent burn.
Wooden wicks offer a unique, rustic charm to candles and have the advantage of staying upright without additional support. They are often favoured by candle makers for their ease of use and distinctive appearance.
Zinc wicks, or metal-core wicks, are commonly found in container candles and votives. The zinc core ensures that the wick remains upright even as the surrounding wax liquefies during burning. These wicks have been scientifically proven to be safe and non-toxic, providing a reliable option for candle makers.
The type of wick selected depends on various factors, including the desired burn rate, ease of manufacturing, and aesthetic appeal. Each type of wick has its own advantages and considerations, contributing to the overall experience and functionality of the candle.
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Wax: paraffin, soy, beeswax, or microcrystalline
Candles are made from wax, wick and oil. The wax used can be paraffin, soy, beeswax, microcrystalline, coconut, colza, rapeseed, spermaceti, palm, gel, stearin, synthetic, synthesized, vegetable-based, tallow or plant-based.
Paraffin wax is the most commonly used candle wax today. It is derived from the refining of crude oil, specifically from petroleum, the same source as gasoline. It is inexpensive and works well with fragrance and colourants. However, it burns faster and can give off soot. Paraffin is a non-renewable resource.
Soy wax is becoming increasingly popular. It is a vegetable wax made from oil produced by soybeans. It is a renewable resource, burns cleaner and slower than paraffin, and is more affordable. However, soybeans are often grown in monoculture systems, which can lead to soil erosion and deforestation.
Beeswax is a natural wax that comes from the honeycomb of honeybees and other bees. It is usually more expensive than soy wax and comes in yellow or white varieties. It can be used with or without containers and is either aromatic (yellow) or non-aromatic (white). Beeswax candles were historically used by the wealthy and in churches.
Coconut wax is made by extracting oil from coconut meat and hydrogenating it. It is highly sustainable, non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and burns cleanly, producing little to no soot. However, it is more expensive than soy or paraffin wax and softens easily in warm temperatures.
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History: from animal fat to vegetable wax
The history of candles dates back thousands of years, with the Ancient Egyptians and Romans relying on animal fat for their candles. In the early periods, candles were likely made from plant materials dipped in animal fat, such as tallow rendered from cows or sheep. These early candles often emitted an unpleasant smell due to the presence of glycerine.
Beeswax candles were also used in ancient times, but their production was more costly, limiting their use to the wealthy, churches, and royal events. Beeswax was preferred for its pleasant smell and pure, clean burn without the smoky flame produced by animal-based tallow. The introduction of beeswax candles in Europe during the Middle Ages marked a significant improvement in candlemaking.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, spermaceti, derived from sperm whales, emerged as a popular alternative to tallow and beeswax. Spermaceti candles burned longer, brighter, and without the offensive smell associated with tallow. However, the growth of the whaling industry and the increasing demand for whale products led to the exploration of other options.
Colza oil and rapeseed oil emerged as cheaper substitutes, but they could not rival the performance of spermaceti. In the 19th century, French chemist Michel Eugene Chevreul discovered how to extract stearic acid from animal fatty acids, leading to the development of stearin wax. Stearin candles burned cleanly and were durable, making them a popular choice in Europe.
The late 1990s saw the development of vegetable-based waxes, such as soy wax and palm wax, which were created by hydrogenating soybean and palm oils, respectively. These vegetable waxes offered a more sustainable alternative to the non-renewable resources used in paraffin wax production, such as petroleum and coal. Today, soy wax is valued for its renewability, affordability, and ability to burn cleanly and slowly, making it a preferred choice for many consumers.
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Health: paraffin releases soot and toxins
Paraffin wax is the most commonly used candle wax today. It is derived from the refining of crude oil and is popular due to its affordability and ease of use. However, paraffin wax candles can release harmful chemicals into the air when burned. These toxins include substances like benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, and naphthalene, which are linked to various health issues.
Burning paraffin candles can result in elevated levels of airborne particulate matter, including soot. Soot is the solid particle that results from the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels, primarily petroleum-based fuels. This is called petro-carbon soot, which is not found in soy wax. Soy wax is completely petro-carbon soot-free.
Independent tests have demonstrated that some candles generate 100 times the quantity of soot than others. Synthetic scents and other additives that manufacturers use can result in candles that produce a lot of soot. These additives also add to the toxicity of the candles.
The toxins in paraffin wax candles can aggravate asthma or allergies and negatively impact those with respiratory issues. Burning petro-soot-free candles contributes to a safer home environment. Natural waxes like coconut and soy produce little to no soot and are free of harmful chemicals. They are also biodegradable and made from renewable resources, reducing their environmental footprint.
For these reasons, it is recommended to switch to natural, sustainable waxes like coconut or soy wax to reduce potential health risks and promote cleaner indoor air.
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Fragrance: scented candles are increasingly popular
The type of wax used for scented candles is important as it affects the fragrance release, known as "hot throw". Coconut wax has a great hot throw, meaning that the fragrance of the candle is strong when burned. However, coconut wax is expensive and softens easily in warm temperatures. Paraffin wax is another option, but it is derived from non-renewable resources such as petroleum and coal, and it burns faster and gives off soot.
Soy wax is a popular choice for scented candles as it is versatile, burns cleaner and slower than paraffin wax, and is more affordable than coconut wax. It is also a renewable resource, with the only limit to the soy supply being how much we choose to grow. However, soybeans are often grown in monoculture systems, leading to soil erosion and deforestation.
Beeswax is another option for scented candles and can be used with or without containers. It usually comes in yellow or white varieties and is either aromatic (yellow) or non-aromatic (white).
It is important to note that there is a maximum amount of fragrance that can be added to a candle before it no longer burns cleanly or properly. A well-made candle will create virtually no smoke when burning properly.
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Frequently asked questions
Candles are made of wax, a wick, and oil. The wax can be paraffin, soy, beeswax, coconut wax, apricot wax, or a combination of these waxes. The wick is usually made of cotton, but can also be made of wood or zinc. Oils used include fragrance oils and essential oils.
Candle wicks are usually made from cotton, but can also be made from wood or zinc. Cotton wicks need a wick holder to stay upright, whereas wooden wicks and wicks with zinc wires stay upright on their own.
Besides paraffin wax, candles can be made from soy wax, beeswax, coconut wax, apricot wax, gel wax, microcrystalline wax, or plant waxes such as palm wax, carnauba wax, bayberry wax, or soybean wax.
The first candles were made of tallow (animal fat) or beeswax. Ancient Egyptians made candles by dipping reeds in melted animal fat, while the Romans used papyrus. In China, candles were made from whale fat and wax from seeds and insects.
