What Is The Best Wax For Candle Making?

One of the most frequently asked questions that we get at Scents Soaps and Candles is “What wax should I use for candle making?” To come up with the correct answer you will need to consider many different things. These include what sort of candles do you want to make, what type of wax do you want to use, how strong do you want the candle to smell, how complicated do you want the candle making to be and also what sort of finish do you want on your finished candle. By working your way through all of these questions will lead you down the path to discovering what is the best wax for candle making for you.

What Type Of Candle Do You Want To Make?

The first thing that you will have to decide is what type of candle you want to make as there are several different types.

Container Candles

One of the most popular candles to make is a container candle. Container candles are exactly as they sound - they are a candle that is made inside of a container. Scents Soaps and Candles have many different containers for you to use ranging from various sizes and colours of candle glasses as well as candle tins. You can find all of these in our candle making supplies section.

Container candles do not have to support themselves as they are supported by the container that they are in and as a result you can use various different waxes to make container candles. These include soy wax, paraffin wax, vegetable waxes and also blended waxes.

Pillar Candles

A pillar candle is a candle that can stand up on its own - it does not need a container. There are various different types of waxes for pillar candles with paraffin and vegetable waxes very popular. It is IMPORTANT to select a wax that is recommended for pillar candles as container wax will not work for pillar candles. One of the most common mistakes we find is that customers buy the wrong wax. All of our waxes at Scents Soaps and Candles clearly state what they can be used for.

Votive Candles

Votive candles are usually small candles that are around 6cm tall and are made to fit in small glass containers. Like container candles, because they are not free standing you can use various different waxes to make them ranging from vegetable waxes to paraffin waxes. 

Tealight Candles

Tealights are very small candles, usually around 3.5cm wide and 1cm high. They are made in a small thin metal container and can be made from vegetable or paraffin wax.

Wax Melts

Wax melts are extremely popular as they are so easy to make. They are a candle without a wick! People burn them in a wax melt burner and use them to give off fragrances. Wax melts can be made from vegetable and paraffin waxes. You should never use a container wax for melts, but always stick to pillar or wax melt wax.

IMPORTANT - Most types of candles can be made from vegetable and paraffin wax, but it is critical to buy the wax that is recommended for the type of candle that you are making. Scents Soaps and Candles sell different types of waxes for different candle making applications. Each wax CLEARLY states what they should be used for. Make sure that you buy the correct wax.