Make Your First Candle A Soy Candle

If you're new to candle making and looking at various how-to guides, you'll probably find that the general recommendation for your first foray into candle making should involve paraffin wax. There is no doubt that this is the most readily available, most commonly used and most affordable wax option, but technically there really is no reason why your first candle shouldn't be a soy candle.

Soy wax is a relative new comer to the candle making arena and it is gaining popularity for a number of reasons. It was developed in the late 1990s as a natural alternative to the petroleum based paraffin wax and as a more affordable option to beeswax. It is more environmentally friendly than paraffin wax as its production is sustainable, and it is often argued that it is easier to use and easier to clean up after.

This type of wax is a very versatile in its various blends, but in its pure form it is a very soft wax with a low melting temperature. When purchasing your soy wax you should be aware that a supplier can label his product as a soy wax blend as long as it contains at least 51% soy wax. The other ingredients could be paraffin wax or a blend of other waxes, so if you are concerned about what is in your wax, you will need to read the label or ask your supplier.

When buying your soy wax you will be able to choose a blend appropriate to the type of candle you wish to make. If you are making container candles you will be able to use pure soy wax as the soft nature of the wax and low melting temperature is not so much an issue with this type of candle. If you wish to make rigid candles such as pillar or votive, then you will need blended wax which also has additives to increase the melt point of the wax and enable it to be used in these applications.

Once you have decided what sort of candle you are going to make and sorted out the appropriate blend of soy wax, you will need to decide on your wick. Whatever type of candle you are making, the easiest type of wick to use will be a zinc core wick. This type of wick has a certain rigidity which makes it easier to locate centrally and remain erect as you pour your wax. If you can get hold of pre-tabbed wicks so much the better as the pre-attached metal bases can be easily glued to the base of your container or mold to hold them in place. Finally, the wicks you use will ideally be primed, ie already coated with wax to give improved lighting and burning qualities. If you are not using a supplier who specifically offers soy wax primed wicks, then you will need to be aware that wicks will be primed with paraffin wax as standard. This will only really be an issue if you are specifically trying to create natural soy-only candles.

By: Julie Sinclair

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Julie Sinclair is a candle making enthusiast who enjoys helping others to get started in this amazing hobby. For more great information on how to make soy candles, visit www.candlemakingtoptips.com