Candle wax types – Which candle wax do I need?
Depending on what kind of candle you are making you will need a different wax type. There are many waxes to choose from. This is a list of most common waxes used in candle making and their melting points:
Soy wax 46°C – 52°C (115°F – 125°F)
Paraffin wax 54°C – 66°C ( 130°F – 150°F)
Beeswax 62°C – 64°C (144°F – 147°F)
Coconut wax 38°C – 46°C (100°F – 115°F)
Gel wax 93°C – 125°C (200°F – 257°F)
Palm wax 54-63°C (130-145°F)
Rapeseed wax 35°C – 50°C (95°F – 122°F)
Sunflower wax 74°C – 80°C (165°F – 176°F)
Wax blends such as soy paraffin blend
A general guide for pouring temperature and when to add fragrance oil:
Soy wax
add fragrance at 79-85°C (175-185°F)
pouring temperature: 57°C – 63°C (135°F – 145°F)
Paraffin
add fragrance at 77-90°C (170-195°F)
pouring temperature: 79°C – 85°C (175°F – 185°F)
Beeswax
add fragrance at 71-79°C (160-17°F)
pouring temperature: 74°C – 79°C (165°F – 175°F)
Coconut wax
add fragrance at 54-82°C (130-180°F)
pouring temperature: 49°C – 60°C (120°F – 140°F)
Gel wax
add fragrance at 71-76°C (160-170°F)
pouring temperature: 85-95°C (185-200°F)
Palm wax
add fragrance at 82-93°C (180-200°F)
pouring temperature: 88-99°C (190-210°F)
Rapeseed wax
add fragrance at 55-65°C (130-150°F)
pouring temperature: 45-60°C (113- 140°F)
Sunflower wax
add fragrance at 77-85°C (170-185°F)
pouring temperature: 76-79°C (170-175°F)
Depending on what product you are making you will need either:
container wax,
pillar wax
or wax for melts/melt wax
Container wax
Container wax is used when your final product is stays in a container. This is the most common type of candle. You choose your candle vessel/container such as glass jar, tin or ceramic cup and pour wax into the container. Container wax has lower melting point than pillar and melt wax. It is not suitable for usage with molds because it is too soft and it would be difficult to hold shape and ensure long burn. Container wax is also used when making whipped wax. Read more about how to make whipped wax here.
Pillar wax
Pillar wax is used for candles that you make with molds. It has higher melting point than container or melt wax. It is used for free-standing candles.
This is an example of combination of pillar wax used for flowers and container wax, used to fill the glass container.
Wax for melts
Melt wax is closer to pillar wax with its melting point and consistency of the final product. Melt wax can be poured into wax melt clamshells or molds such as these on the picture.
Some manufacturers sell the same wax for both pillar candles and wax melts. It is best to always check the manufacturers’ directions for intended usage.
