Soy Candle Making
By Udh Ris

All Natural Soy Candle Making

Soy candle making has been gaining popularity in recent years.  There are a few reasons that people are finding soy a great alternative to paraffin in the candle making process.  Soy wax is all natural, made from soy, as its name suggests.  Some candle making companies boast that their soy candles could be melted down and used to cook up veggies for the dinner table; they are that pure!

In addition, soy candles tend to burn more purely than paraffin was candles.  Soy advocates propose that the candles are safer around children and pets for this reason.  In addition, the farming industry benefits from the use of soy wax as it adds to their market.  Soy is a renewable resource, unlike paraffin, which is another reason nature enthusiasts are passionate about the product.

The Process

The soy candle making process is almost identical to making paraffin candles.  The first step is to decide what type of candle to make: votive, pillar, container, or dipped.  Depending on the choice, there is a specific soy wax to fit the purpose.  Votive wax is the middle ground between soft and firm wax.  Votive and pillar wax is made specifically to release from the molds that the candles are formed in.  Pillar wax is made to be more firm so that when the pillar candle burns, the sides of the candle hold up and do not 'spring a leak,' leaking wax all over furniture, carpet, or anything in the vicinity.  Container wax is the softest since it is held in a container and does not have to release from a mold.

Once the choice of candle is made and the specific type of soy wax is bought, then the soy candle making process can begin, provided the other candle making supplies are on hand, such as the wax melter, wicks, dyes and fragrances.  All of these supplies can be bought at craft shops either in kits or separately.

The soy candle making process begins by measuring out the proper amount of wax for the number and type of candles to be made.  Once the wax is melted, not allowing the temperature to get above 170 degrees, then the dyes and fragrances can be added.  There are many candle making ideas that can be found on-line or in candle making books.  Once those have been stirred in and allowed to bond with the wax for a couple of minutes, then the heat is reduced to 150 degrees so that the wax is ready to pour into the molds.  Depending on the type of candle, the wax may need to cool until there is a skin over the top in order to put in the wicks.  Last, the candles have to cool for at least five hours, again depending on the type of soy candle made.