Waxy Wicks — Getting to Know Your Wax
So what is wax?
In a straight to the point manner, wax is solid that contains carbon that turns to liquid when heated usually with a wick however this is not always the case. The wax is essentially fuel that when lit is vaporises and combusts. This is how the heat and light is produced. There are a lot of different types of wax out there. Beeswax has been used to produce candles for thousands of years however more modern types such as coconut, petroleum and hybrids such as rapeseed and coconut (what we use at Waxy Wicks) are becoming more popular.
Properties for different wax vary which is why there are so many different waxes are available on the market. Some are better at producing strong scent throws (what you smell when burning) and others are better at lasting longer.
Which wax is best?
Well there is no clear cut answer to this question. Each wax has its own pros and cons so it really depends on what you are looking for in a candle. This is why there are so many different types of wax and blends on the market.
Which candle wax burns the longest?
Soy and beeswax are considered to be the longest burning waxes on the market. However due to ethical and sustainability reasons we chose not to use this wax. Our rapeseed and coconut wax candles and melts still burn for a significant time and not too dissimilar to soy.
There are also many factors to consider when burning candles and gaining the longest burn time possible. Yes wax plays a role however certain conditions also need to be met. You should burn your candle in an area without draughts, consider the temperature of the room i.e. if its very hot the candle will likely burn quicker, the containers used, if the wick has been trimmed before each burn, this list could go on. You will never have a guaranteed burn time as there are so many factors that could change this.
What wax gives the best scent throw?
Paraffin wax has always taken lead in this category which is why most leading brands use this wax. Paraffin has also been found to release harmful chemicals into the air when being burnt which is why we chose not to use this type of wax. Waxes like soy and rapeseed and coconut are certainly giving paraffin wax a run for its money when it comes to scent throw. Give our candles a go to see!
Are candles toxic?
Some waxes, such as paraffin, used to make candles have been suggested to release harmful chemicals into the air. Most the time the amount of harmful chemicals released by these waxes when burning is no cause for alarm but there are plenty of other wax options out there should this be something you are concerned about.
Natural waxes such as soy, rapeseed, coconut and beeswax are becoming more widely used as people want a clean burning candle with the reassurance that no nasties are being released into the air in their home. Some research goes as far to suggest that beeswax can purify air.
Fragrances in candles are often harmful before they have been processed into a candle, however once they have been made into a candle they are usually no need for concern. Some people and pets however can have allergies to some of the ingredients used so should seek medical attention should this happen.
What is rapeseed and coconut wax?
Rapeseed and coconut wax (RCX) is what we use at Waxy Wicks. Our reasoning for this is that it is currently the most sustainable wax on the market as well as being great at making candles and melts. RCX is a blend of rapeseed and coconut so that the properties of both can be combined.
Rapeseed wax is one of the oldest waxes used in candle making however, is fairly knew on the scene for making scented candles. It has great fragrance retention, hot and cold scent throw as well as extended burn times. It also burns at a low temperature which means the fragrance oil evaporates slowly so you can get the most fragrance from your candle throughout its life.
Coconut wax is a relatively new wax being used in candle making but arguably has some of the best properties. It sustainable as it is renewable and has a high yield crop which means less coconuts are needed to get a decent about of product. Like rapeseed it burns slowly and has an amazing scent throw. Its smokeless and soot free unlike paraffin wax. Meaning no nasty chemicals released or black marks your walls. Coconuts are one of the only fruits and vegetables left that are not genetically modified so its is literally just coconut.
The rapeseed and coconut wax blend we use is blended in Europe and is made from rapeseed oil and coconut oil and nothing else. It is completely free from paraffin, soy, palm, beeswax and synthetic additives.
Visit our website to have a look at what products we have avaliable: www.waxywicks.co.uk
Originally published at https://waxywicks.co.uk on March 25, 2021.
