How to Choose the Best Soy Wax for Candle Making

With so many products to choose from, finding the best soy wax for candles can be difficult, especially if you are new to candle making.

Each type of wax is designed for use in a specific way, whether it’s as a pillar candle, container, tealight or wax melt.

The trick is to know which one is suitable for each application.

Here we look how to choose the best soy wax for candle making, giving you some examples that should make it to narrow down your options.

What is the best soy wax for candle making?

Tealights and containers

When it comes to tea light and container candles, look for soy wax that is specifically designed for these types of containers.

The best soy wax for these candles tend to be:

• Nature Wax C3 soy wax: This wax offers a clean burn with very low shrinkage, whilst also producing a longer burn time because it has a lower melting point. The formation Nature Wax C3 also ensures strong adhesion to the sides of containers, which displays a clean finish that is pleasing to the eye.
• Golden Wax 464: Golden Wax 464 has a lower melting point that creates a smooth, creamy appearance, enhancing their aesthetic whilst also reducing frosting. It is formulated for tea lights and container candles as it adheres well to the sides of containers.

Wax melts and tarts

You won’t need a wick to make a wax melt or tart but to get the most out of your creation you will need good quality wax.

It also needs to be a little bit harder and have a lower melting point than container waxes, so they retain their shape.

The best soy wax for wax melts and candles like these is:

• Golden Wax 494: Not only does Golden Wax 494 meet the criteria needed to make a long-lasting wax melt or tart but it should also give your creation a wonderful natural soy sheen. Whilst this wax is not designed for pillar candles, tea lights or containers, as it is not able to hold a wick, it does provide a strong scent throw and reliable mould stability which helps to simplify the pouring and unmoulding parts of the process.
• Blended Waxes Pillar Soy Wax (BW-921): This is a soybean oil wax that also includes soy-based additives. BW-921 is intended for smooth, creamy structural candles that are not prone to frosting. The wax is packaged in pastille form to make it easier to measure and scoop.

Pillar candles

The biggest challenge for any candle maker is tackling a pillar candle, as there are a few more steps involved in the creation process.

The best soy wax for making candles in a pillar shape should have a melting point of at least 135°F (57 °C) as this allows them to be freestanding and able to withstand exposure to external heat sources.

• KeraSoy Pillar KW4120: You can use KeraSoy Pillar KW4120 for pillar candles and wax melts, with its fully biodegradable formula creating a smooth, professional-looking finish. It is 100% natural and offers fantastic rigidity and mould release qualities that allow you to create high quality free standing pillar candles that look and feel they are shop bought.
• Ecosoya PB Pillar Soy Wax: Like KeraSoy Pillar wax, this can also be used to make pillar candles and wax melts. It is also a fully natural wax that shrinks as it cools, which can cause sunken sections and dips, but can make it easier to release from moulds.

Final thoughts

The best soy wax for candles depends on the type of candle you want to make.

Beginners tend to start with tealights, containers and wax melts, as the creation process is less complicated.

Once you build up enough confidence, making pillar candles is the next logical step to take.

Also remember to bear in mind scent throw and the melting point to ensure the finished candle can meet your initial expectations.

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