Candlemaking
Practical Action
Beeswax
Beeswax is a very highly regarded candle making material. It is excellent for making dipped and
poured candles which are usually marketed as a premium product. The wax burns slowly and tends
to give off a pleasant natural aroma. Beeswax is obtained by melting the honeycomb of the bee in
hot water, straining it and allowing it to cool. At this stage it is a brownish-yellow colour but it can
be lightened by bleaching. The wax has a melting point of about 64°C, and is a relatively soft and
sticky substance with means that it is difficult to mould in rigid moulds. Beeswax can be mixed
with paraffin wax in quantities of about 5% to improve both the burning time and appearance of
the candles.
Vegetable waxes
Many plants, shrubs and trees yield waxes which can be extracted and processed for use in the
manufacture of candles. In some cases it may be possible to use these waxes as the main source
of fuel for the candle; in others it may only be possible to use them in small quantities to improve
the qualities of another wax. Some vegetable waxes (such as soya) are marketed as sustainable and
healthy alternatives to paraffin wax because they are derived from renewable sources and often
burn more cleanly than paraffin wax.
Other waxes and additives
A variety of specialist waxes and additives are available from specialist candlemaking suppliers but
none of these are essential to begin with. They include:
Dip and carve wax which is soft enough to carve and model at low temperatures.
Microcrystalline waxes which can be added to paraffin wax to reduce or increase hardness.
Overdipping wax which gives a high gloss coating to a candle.
Wick
The wick is a very important component of a candle and should be selected with care.
Most modern wick is made from braided cotton strands (not cotton thread). A flat braid is
adequate for most candles but square and round braided wick is also produced. Some wicks also
include a paper or wire stiffener which helps when making container candles (lead core wicks
should be avoided). In countries with established candlemaking industries, wicks may be obtained
directly from wholesalers or craft suppliers. It is also possible to make wicks by hand if necessary.
When the wick is lit, the flame should radiate sufficient heat to melt a small pool of wax at the top
of the candle. The liquid wax is then drawn up towards the flame by capillary action where it
vaporises and is burnt. When lit, a correctly proportioned wick will curl into the hottest (outer) part
of the flame and burn away at its tip, to give a clean bright flame (figure 1).
The basic principle in selecting a wick is: the
larger diameter the candle, the thicker the wick.
If the wick used is too thick, a large flame will
melt the wax too fast and cause dripping on the
outer edge of the candle. Conversely, if the wick
used is too thin, the flame will be unable to
generate enough heat to vapourise sufficient
wax and will probably ‘drown’ in its own wax
pool. Substances such as beeswax which are
viscous when liquid require a thicker wick than
substances with a lower viscosity. In general,
the more viscous the liquid fuel, the thicker the
wick required. Some trial and error testing is
usually necessary.
Dyes and scents
Figure 1: Wicks
Where candles are being sold as decorative items rather than as a source of light, colour and scent
can be used to increase the attractiveness of the product.
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