Jessie Taylor
Candles are made from wax, a wick, and oil. Over the centuries, candle waxes have been developed from a variety of fats, oils, and waxy substances derived from animals, insects, plants, and rocks. The most common type of candle wax today is paraffin, a byproduct of the petroleum industry. Other types of candle wax include beeswax, soy wax, palm wax, gels, and synthesized waxes. Wicks can be made from wood, cotton, or zinc, and oils can be either fragrance or essential oil.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wax Type | Paraffin, Soy, Palm, Beeswax, Gels, Synthetic waxes, Synthesized waxes, Coconut wax, Microcrystalline wax, Stearin, Spermaceti |
| Wick Type | Wood, Cotton, Zinc, Paper |
| Oil Type | Fragrance oils, Essential oils |
| Other Ingredients | Dyes, Scents |
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What You'll Learn
- Paraffin wax: a by-product of the petroleum industry, it's the most common candle wax
- Soy wax: a plant-based alternative to paraffin wax, it's eco-friendly and burns slowly
- Beeswax: one of the oldest forms of candle wax, it's natural but not vegan
- Spermaceti: a waxy substance derived from the sperm whale, it was widely used in the 18th century
- Tallow: made from animal fats, it was the standard material for European candles
Paraffin wax: a by-product of the petroleum industry, it's the most common candle wax
Wax is the key ingredient in candles. Over the centuries, candle waxes have been developed from a variety of fats, oils, and waxy substances derived from animals, insects, plants, and rocks.
Paraffin wax is a by-product of the petroleum industry, created using waxy substances from crude oil. It is the most common type of candle wax and the least expensive in most cases. It is inexpensive and works well with fragrance oils and colorants. It is also the cheapest and most widely available wax type on the market. Most commercially produced candles use paraffin wax as their base, thanks to its ability to hold both dyes and scents very well for a minimal cost.
Paraffin wax was developed after chemists found a way to remove the naturally occurring waxy substance from petroleum during refining. It became the standard candle wax in the Western Hemisphere. However, it is less eco-friendly, burns faster, and produces more soot than some other types of wax.
In addition to paraffin wax, other common types of candle wax include soy wax, beeswax, and palm wax.
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Soy wax: a plant-based alternative to paraffin wax, it's eco-friendly and burns slowly
Candles have been used for over two millennia and were once a significant form of indoor lighting. They are now used for functional, symbolic and aesthetic purposes and in specific cultural and religious settings.
Candles are made up of wax, a wick, and oil. Over the centuries, candle waxes have been developed from a variety of fats, oils, and waxy-like substances derived from animals, insects, plants, and rocks. Today, most candles are made from paraffin wax, a by-product of petroleum refining. However, there are other types of wax that can be used, including soy wax, a plant-based alternative to paraffin wax.
Soy wax is a vegetable wax made from soybean oil. It is a renewable and eco-friendly resource that is commonly used for those seeking high-performing alternatives to traditional waxes. Soy wax is a perfect choice for those seeking a long-lasting burn. When lit, soy wax shines and provides the perfect ambiance and scent. Because of its density, the fragrance throw of soy wax is efficient in distributing scent. With the addition of essential oils, soy wax is a great choice for a fragrance experience.
Soy wax is also a healthier alternative to paraffin wax. Paraffin wax burns quickly and can produce soot, leading to air quality concerns and potential health issues. Soy wax burns clean and has a longer burn time than paraffin wax. It may be more susceptible to frosting or wet spots, but it is still a better option for those seeking a slow-burning candle with a moderate scent throw.
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Beeswax: one of the oldest forms of candle wax, it's natural but not vegan
Beeswax is one of the oldest forms of candle wax. It is produced by bees during the honey-making process. While beeswax is natural, it is not vegan.
Beeswax has been used to make candles for over two millennia. In ancient times, beeswax candles were expensive and their use was limited to the wealthy and churches. The ancient Egyptians and Romans used beeswax for their candles, as did the Chinese. Beeswax was also the preferred substance for candle production in medieval Europe.
Beeswax candles do not create an unpleasant odour when burned and produce a bright light. They also have a subtly sweet natural scent and a tougher, more solid nature. This makes beeswax ideal for crafting unscented pillar candles, as well as scented candles. Harder wax also makes beeswax suitable for pillar and container candles.
Beeswax is available in yellow or white varieties. Yellow beeswax is aromatic, while white beeswax is non-aromatic. Beeswax can be used with or without containers.
Today, beeswax is still used to make candles, although in significantly smaller quantities than paraffin wax, which is the most commonly used candle wax today.
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Spermaceti: a waxy substance derived from the sperm whale, it was widely used in the 18th century
Candles have been used for over two millennia and were the primary form of indoor lighting until the invention of other light sources. They are typically made from wax, a wick, and oil. Over the centuries, candle waxes have been developed from a variety of fats, oils, and waxy substances derived from animals, insects, plants, and rocks.
In the 18th century, a new type of candle wax emerged: spermaceti. Spermaceti is a waxy substance derived from the head cavities of the sperm whale. It was widely used in the 18th century for candle-making and other purposes. The whaling industry in the 17th and 18th centuries was largely focused on finding, harvesting, and refining the contents of the head of the sperm whale. Spermaceti was used in candles, cosmetics, textiles, and ointments. It was highly desirable for candle-making due to its unique properties: it burned brighter and cleaner than other candles, and it had no offensive smell.
Spermaceti is created in the spermaceti organ inside the whale's head, which can contain up to 1,900 liters of the substance. Theories suggest that the primary function of this organ is to control the whale's buoyancy and enhance its sense of echolocation. After a sperm whale was killed, whalers would remove its head, bail out the raw spermaceti with a bucket, and store it in casks to be processed back on land.
The production and sale of spermaceti candles were directly linked to the whaling industry, which had devastating consequences for sperm whale populations. As people became more aware of the negative environmental impact of whaling and raised ethical concerns, the demand for these candles decreased, and alternative materials for candle-making, such as paraffin and stearin, became popular. By the 19th century, the spermaceti candle market was in decline.
Today, most candles are made from paraffin wax, a byproduct of petroleum refining, although a variety of other substances, including beeswax, soy wax, palm wax, gels, and synthesized waxes, are also commonly used.
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Tallow: made from animal fats, it was the standard material for European candles
Tallow is a substance derived from animal fats, such as cows or sheep. It was used to make candles in ancient times, with the first dipped candles being made by the Romans from tallow. Tallow candles were cheap and easily available, and so they were the most widely used type of candle for centuries. They were the standard household candle for Europeans, with tallow chandler companies being formed in London in the 1300s. By the 15th century, tallow candles were being used for street lighting.
Tallow candles were considered inferior to beeswax candles, which burned brighter and longer, with less smoke and a sweeter smell. However, beeswax was more difficult to obtain, and so tallow remained the standard material for candles in Europe. Beeswax candles were largely restricted to use by the upper classes, the church, and for royal events.
The unpleasant smell of tallow candles is due to the glycerine they contain. The manufacturing process was so noxious that it was banned in several European cities. In the 18th and 19th centuries, spermaceti, a waxy substance derived from sperm whales, was used to produce superior candles that burned longer, brighter, and without an offensive smell. This brought about the first major change in candlemaking since the Middle Ages.
In the 19th century, several improvements were made to candle production, including the introduction of self-trimming or self-consuming wicks, and the development of stearin wax, which was harder and more durable than tallow or beeswax. Today, most candles are made from paraffin wax, a byproduct of petroleum refining, although tallow candles are still in use.
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Frequently asked questions
Candles are made of wax, a wick, and sometimes oil. The wax is the fuel, and the wick absorbs the melted wax to keep the candle burning.
The most common type of candle wax is paraffin wax, a byproduct of the petroleum industry. Other types of wax used for candles include soy wax, beeswax, palm wax, gels, stearin, and microcrystalline wax.
Paraffin wax is the cheapest and most widely available type of candle wax. It holds dyes and scents very well, but it may not be the most eco-friendly option as it tends to produce more soot and is derived from the oil industry.
Soy wax is a plant-based alternative to paraffin wax that burns cleaner and slower. It is more eco-friendly but may have issues with deforestation, fertilizers, and pesticides. Soy wax is also more difficult to work with and doesn't hold fragrance as well as paraffin wax.
Beeswax is one of the oldest forms of candle wax and has a subtly sweet natural scent. It is harder and more solid, making it ideal for crafting freestanding pillar candles, but it is usually more expensive than other types of wax. Beeswax is also not vegan, as it is made by bees during the honey-making process.
