Candle Making With Soy Wax
Soyabeans are vegetables which may be processed for creating candle wax.
The oil is extracted from the soybean flakes and hydrogenated.
Most individuals reckon wax made from soyabeans to be of high quality with desirable characteristics such as burning cleanly and smoothly.
The soot produced by soy candles is white compared to the black soot from paraffin candles.
Neither soy or paraffin candles produce soot that is unsafe to human beings.
Soy candles and paraffin candles are made by very similar processes.
The only real divergence is the wax.
Both types of candles can be make using the same equipment and technology.
To melt the wax, both use a double boiler which involves placing the wax in a small pot which is then put into a larger pot filled with water.
Heat is applied to the larger pot so that the soya wax becomes liquid with a temperature of around 150 - 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
Should the melted wax be heated for too long when the temperature is in the region of 150 degrees, the wax could take on a yellowish appearance.
After the wax has melted, slowly add a coloring agent.
Remove the pot from the heat and add the fragrance.
Set the proportion of fragrance to wax at about 7%.
That's equivalent to 1.
12 ounces of fragrance oil to one pound of soy wax.
When too much fragrance is added, it can seep out of the candle.
Let the wax cool to about 140 - 150 degrees, then decant the wax into a mold and leave it for further cooling.
Make sure the temperature of the wax is not too low as this could lead to the candle cracking.
Allow the wax to cool naturally.
Accelerating the cooling through for example putting the mold in cold water could harm the candle.
Wax at room temperature takes up less space than hot wax in a mold.
As the wax cools, holes may appear at the top of the candle.
More wax can be added to eliminate the holes.
Soy and paraffin candles have some differences.
The softness of soy wax means it is not appropriate for certain types of candles, such as novelty, pillar and taper candles.
However, floating soy candles can be made if they are up to 3 inches in diameter.
Scented soy candles produce a pure and crisp scent which makes this type of candle especially good for aromatherapy.
Compared to paraffin candles, soy candles can burn for nearly 50% longer and are cheaper to create.
It is important to choose a wick for a soy candle that is recommended for both soy wax and the container being used for shaping the candle.
Wicks such as paper cored, cotton cored or metal cored should be avoided as they tend to cause sooting and carbon build up.
Making soy candles is like trying out a new food recipe; always experiment to see what you like best.
Color and fragrance are two of the attributes that can be explored with both soy and paraffin candles.
Soy candles are growing in popularity.
Despite the fact that soy wax costs more than paraffin wax, many candlemakers continue to make their creations out of soy wax.
The oil is extracted from the soybean flakes and hydrogenated.
Most individuals reckon wax made from soyabeans to be of high quality with desirable characteristics such as burning cleanly and smoothly.
The soot produced by soy candles is white compared to the black soot from paraffin candles.
Neither soy or paraffin candles produce soot that is unsafe to human beings.
Soy candles and paraffin candles are made by very similar processes.
The only real divergence is the wax.
Both types of candles can be make using the same equipment and technology.
To melt the wax, both use a double boiler which involves placing the wax in a small pot which is then put into a larger pot filled with water.
Heat is applied to the larger pot so that the soya wax becomes liquid with a temperature of around 150 - 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
Should the melted wax be heated for too long when the temperature is in the region of 150 degrees, the wax could take on a yellowish appearance.
After the wax has melted, slowly add a coloring agent.
Remove the pot from the heat and add the fragrance.
Set the proportion of fragrance to wax at about 7%.
That's equivalent to 1.
12 ounces of fragrance oil to one pound of soy wax.
When too much fragrance is added, it can seep out of the candle.
Let the wax cool to about 140 - 150 degrees, then decant the wax into a mold and leave it for further cooling.
Make sure the temperature of the wax is not too low as this could lead to the candle cracking.
Allow the wax to cool naturally.
Accelerating the cooling through for example putting the mold in cold water could harm the candle.
Wax at room temperature takes up less space than hot wax in a mold.
As the wax cools, holes may appear at the top of the candle.
More wax can be added to eliminate the holes.
Soy and paraffin candles have some differences.
The softness of soy wax means it is not appropriate for certain types of candles, such as novelty, pillar and taper candles.
However, floating soy candles can be made if they are up to 3 inches in diameter.
Scented soy candles produce a pure and crisp scent which makes this type of candle especially good for aromatherapy.
Compared to paraffin candles, soy candles can burn for nearly 50% longer and are cheaper to create.
It is important to choose a wick for a soy candle that is recommended for both soy wax and the container being used for shaping the candle.
Wicks such as paper cored, cotton cored or metal cored should be avoided as they tend to cause sooting and carbon build up.
Making soy candles is like trying out a new food recipe; always experiment to see what you like best.
Color and fragrance are two of the attributes that can be explored with both soy and paraffin candles.
Soy candles are growing in popularity.
Despite the fact that soy wax costs more than paraffin wax, many candlemakers continue to make their creations out of soy wax.
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