Can You Mix Soy And Beeswax For Candles?
Soy and beeswax candles have both become popular options for homemade and commercial candlemaking. Soy candles are made from soybean wax, while beeswax candles are made from beeswax produced by honey bees. Both waxes have their own unique properties and benefits as candle waxes.
Soy wax is a vegetable-based wax that came into popularity in the 1990s as an alternative to paraffin wax. It is made from hydrogenated soybean oil. Soy wax burns clean, is biodegradable and renewable, and blends well with essential oils for fragrance (https://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/31099/home_accessories/soy_wax_candles___why_they_are_becoming_so_popular.html).
Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honey bees. It has been used for candlemaking for thousands of years. Beeswax burns brighter than other waxes, releases a honey-like scent when burning, and can be used on its own or blended with other waxes. It is also biodegradable and renewable (https://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/31099/home_accessories/soy_wax_candles___why_they_are_becoming_so_popular.html).
Many candlemakers choose to blend soy and beeswax together to create candles that utilize the benefits of both waxes. This article will provide an overview of making soy-beeswax blend candles.
Pros and Cons of Soy vs Beeswax
There are both advantages and disadvantages to using soy wax versus beeswax for candle making.
Pros of Soy Wax
Soy wax is made from soybeans. Some key benefits of soy wax include:
- Vegan and made from a renewable resource
- Affordable compared to beeswax
- Customizable – can blend with other waxes
- Good scent throw
- Clean burn with no soot
- Long burn time, up to 90 hours
Cons of Soy Wax
Some potential drawbacks of soy wax are:
- Can be prone to frosting
- Not as natural as beeswax
- May not adhere as well to containers
- Can be brittle after curing
Pros of Beeswax
Beeswax is made by honeybees. Some benefits of beeswax include:
- 100% natural product made by bees
- Lovely honey aroma
- Naturally glossy appearance
- Excellent scent throw
- Adheres well to glass and metal
- Burns clean without releasing toxins
Cons of Beeswax
Some potential cons of beeswax are:
- More expensive than other waxes
- Limited supply and availability
- Not vegan
- Shorter burn time than soy, up to 30 hours
- Can be brittle and crack over time
Overall, both soy and beeswax have their own sets of pros and cons for candle making. Many candle makers opt to blend the two waxes to get the best properties of each in their candles.
Making Soy-Beeswax Blend Candles
Making candles with a soy and beeswax blend is easy with just a few basic instructions and tips.
Start by measuring out the ratio of soy wax to beeswax you want to use. Many candle makers recommend 75% soy wax to 25% beeswax as a good starting blend. This provides the great scent throw and smooth appearance of soy with the natural hardness and burn qualities of beeswax (source).
Melt the wax blend together in a double boiler over medium heat until fully liquid. Avoid overheating as this can scorch the wax. Once melted, remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before adding candle dye and essential oils if using.
Prepare candle jars or molds while the wax cools. Make sure wicks are centered before pouring in the wax. For best results, pour at 110-120°F. This is the ideal temperature for a smooth surface with few bubbles.
Allow candles to cure 24-48 hours before burning. Trimming the wick to 1⁄4 inch before lighting will provide the best burn.
Making soy and beeswax candles does take some trial and error to master the technique. But with some practice, you can make beautiful clean burning candles with your own custom scents.
Ideal Soy to Beeswax Ratios
When making soy-beeswax blended candles, one of the most important factors is determining the ideal ratio of soy wax to beeswax. There are a few common blend ratios that are often recommended:
A 25/75 ratio – This blend uses 25% beeswax and 75% soy wax. The higher amount of soy helps the candles burn cleaner and hold scent better. The beeswax provides some added stability and hardness. This is a good starting point for experimenting with soy-beeswax blends.
A 50/50 ratio – An even 1:1 ratio of soy wax to beeswax. This provides a good balance of the benefits of both waxes – soy for scent and beeswax for stability. The candles will have a nice smooth texture and burn well. This is a popular blend ratio choice.
A 75/25 ratio – For this blend, 75% of the wax is beeswax and 25% is soy wax. The higher beeswax content adds hardness and allows the candles to retain scent and shape better. However, too much beeswax can cause issues with sinking or frosting. This ratio requires more testing and care.
In general, a 25-50% beeswax content is recommended for soy-beeswax candles. Going beyond 50% beeswax starts to reduce the benefits of the soy wax. Testing different ratios will allow you to find your optimal blend.
How to Mix and Melt Soy and Beeswax
When mixing soy wax and beeswax to make candles, it’s important to understand the different melting points of each ingredient. Soy wax typically has a melting point between 115-135°F, while beeswax melts around 143-170°F (1). This means the beeswax will take longer to completely melt than the soy wax.
To properly combine these two waxes, you’ll need a double boiler or makeshift double boiler setup. A double boiler uses the steam from heated water to gently melt ingredients in a separate container suspended above the water. This allows you to heat the waxes at the right temperature without scorching them (2).
Start by putting water in the bottom pot of your double boiler and bringing it to a simmer. As it heats up, add your soy wax and beeswax to the top container. Slowly melt the waxes together, stirring frequently. The soy wax will likely melt first. Keep heating and stirring until the beeswax is fully melted and incorporated.
Remove the wax blend from the heat once fully liquid. Make sure to avoid overheating the wax, as this can alter the aroma and performance. The wax blend can then be used for candles, tarts, melts or other wax crafts.
(1) https://soapdelinews.com/2013/12/diy-soy-and-beeswax-candle-making-tutorial.html
(2) https://www.peoniesandpears.com/blog/diy-scented-soybeeswax-wax-melts
Adding Fragrances and Dyes
One of the great things about making your own soy-beeswax candles is being able to customize them with different fragrances and colors. When adding fragrances and dyes, it’s important to do so at the proper point in the process so they blend and incorporate evenly into the wax blend.
For fragrances, most candle makers recommend adding the essential oils or fragrance oils after the soy and beeswax have fully melted and blended together. The liquid fragrances can then be stirred thoroughly into the soy-beeswax mixture before pouring the candles. A good guideline is to use 1-2 ounces of fragrance oil per pound of wax blend. Start with less and increase if desired. Essential oils like lemon or lavender can provide nice natural scents. Just avoid strong citrus oils that may inhibit proper curing. Refer to supplier recommendations for usage rates.
As for dyes, these are also typically added after melting the wax. Liquid dyes are easy to mix in. Or you can use dye blocks and shave/grate little bits into the melted wax. Use toothpicks to stir and combine until the desired color is reached. Start with just a small amount of dye and add more as needed. Too much dye may negatively affect how the candle burns. Wear gloves when working with dyes to avoid staining hands.
By adding scents and colors at the right time, you can customize soy-beeswax candles that smell and look just the way you want. Experiment and have fun putting your personal touches on your homemade candles!
Wick Selection for Soy-Beeswax
Choosing the right wick is crucial for soy-beeswax candles to burn properly. The wick must be large enough to hold a flame and withstand the higher melting point of beeswax, which is around 145°F to 147°F. However, if the wick is too large, it can lead to excessive sooting and a large, smoky flame.
According to sources like Why does the type of Wick matter for pure beeswax candles?, the best wicks for beeswax or soy-beeswax blends are typically square braided cotton wicks. Cotton can withstand the high heat and provides a cleaner burn. Square braids have a flat shape that helps hold a central wick, preventing clogging.
When selecting a wick size, How to Choose the Right Wick for Beeswax Pillar Candles recommends starting in the middle of the manufacturer’s size range for the candle diameter. Adjust up or down based on testing to achieve the proper melt pool size and flame height for an even burn.
Making a few test candles is the best way to dial in the right wick choice before making large batches of soy-beeswax candles. With quality wicking and the right wick selection, soy-beeswax blends can provide excellent performance.
Pouring and Curing Soy-Beeswax Candles
Proper pouring and curing are important steps for achieving quality soy-beeswax blended candles. When pouring the candles, work at warmer temperatures around 135-145°F to ensure proper pouring viscosity and even settling of the wax. Pour the wax slowly and evenly into each candle vessel, leaving at least 1/4″ wax-free at the top as room for the melt pool. Allow candles to cool and harden completely undisturbed for at least 12 hours before moving them at all.
Curing is the process of allowing the candles to settle and stabilize over time, which improves burn properties. Industry standards recommend curing soy-beeswax candles for 1-2 weeks before burning, with closer to 2 weeks being ideal. During the curing period, keep lids off the candles in a dry, room temperature area out of direct sunlight. The curing process allows any trapped bubbles to rise and surface imperfections to settle, producing a smoother burn when the candle is lit. Testing the candle after 2 weeks will ensure it has fully cured and is ready for the best possible performance.
Proper pouring and extended curing produces the highest quality soy-beeswax candles, giving you the best results for your efforts.
Troubleshooting Soy-Beeswax Candles
Soy-beeswax blends can be tricky to work with. Here are some common issues and solutions for troubleshooting soy-beeswax candles:
Sinking Holes: This is caused by the wax cooling too quickly. Try pouring at a slightly higher temperature or preheating the candle vessel so the wax cools slower. According to the Top 10 Candle Making Problems and How to Solve Them article, you can fix holes by remelting and repouring the wax.
Cracking: This happens if the wax cools too quickly or if there is too much beeswax in the blend. Try adding more soy wax or slow the cooling process. The Soy Wax Troubleshooting Guide recommends pouring at 135-140°F to prevent cracking.
Frosting: This white film occurs when soy wax gets too cold. Warm the jar in your hands, a water bath, or blow dryer to remelt. Pour at a higher temp next time.
Bumpy Texture: Overheating wax causes wax crystals to form. Melt the wax more slowly and gently. Cool wax completely between pours.
Sooting: Trim wicks to 1⁄4” length before each burn to prevent mushrooming and soot. Soy-beeswax needs a smaller wick than pure soy or beeswax.
Poor Scent Throw: Use more fragrance oil, up to 12% in soy-beeswax blends. Cure candles 2 weeks minimum for maximum hot scent throw.
Conclusion
In summary, blending soy wax and beeswax can provide the benefits of both waxes for candle making. Soy wax is a clean burning, renewable wax that is cost effective and easy to work with. Beeswax provides natural scents, texturing, and creamy finishes. By combining the two, you can customize the burn time, scent throw, surface finish, and more. The ideal ratio depends on your preferences, but stay within 60-90% soy wax for best results. Properly preparing the wax blend, wick selection, pouring, and curing are also key for high quality soy-beeswax candles. With some testing and adjustments, soy and beeswax can be blended to create sustainable, natural candles with excellent performance.
