What Are The Different Kinds Of Candles And Also What Are They Made Of?

Candles are for sure made mainly of wax, but there are many different kinds of wax available. Each wax type contains its own features and advantages, and each has a very slightly different look and consistency. Most candles on the market right now are made of paraffin, which is a petroleum product. However when paraffin candles are burnt they give off hazardous toxins. Nowadays a new candle wax is becoming popular and that is soy candles. Scented soy candles when glowed do not give off dangerous toxins. Soy wax and paraffin wax can be prepared in many different consistencies, including a soft wax for container candles and harder waxes for hurricane candles. Most candles fall somewhere in the middle, with a mid-density paraffin that can be utilized in molded candles of all kinds. It can also be used for taper candles, although there is also an unique formula specifically for tapers.

Other forms of wax are soy wax, as mentioned earlier, bees wax and a new unique palm wax. All of these types are celebrated as being more natural, and are better for the surroundings. Soy wax, made from soy beans, is a clean-burning wax with an equivalent consistency to the mid-range paraffin waxes. Bees wax is a softer wax, and is prized for its pliability. Beeswax is often formed into sheets with a honeycomb design. Someone purchasing these sheets can then make a quick taper candle by wrapping the malleable sheet around a wick and pressing it tightly. One drawback of beeswax however is that it is very expensive. As you can find, soy candles are your best option to paraffin wax candles.

Candle wicks are available in different sizes that stand for the diameter of the candle. Larger candles, often candles more than six inches in diameter, need more than one wick. Wicks are made of cotton treated with chemicals that holds up their burn rate. A wick may contain only the treated cotton, or it may have a firm core to allow it to stay straighter as it burns. The cores are generally made of either a stiffened piece of cotton, a tightly rolled strip of paper, or zinc. Lead candle wicks are not any longer made because of the health dangers associated with lead.

Candle wax is treated with several chemicals to give it the color, stiffness and smell desired. Color usually comes in pigment blocks that can be liquefied into the wax. Fragrance comes in either liquid or solid block form. To produce more solid candles, Stearine or Vybar is often mixed to increase the burning time of the candle. Additional effects can be formed with other additives that can make the wax dappled, translucent or give it a snowflake pattern. Changing the wax's additive recipe can greatly change the look of the wax, providing candles the wide range of colors and effects that found on the market at present.