Do Coconut Wax Candles Burn Longer?
When it comes to candles, we all want them to burn as long as possible to get the most out of our investment. But not all candle waxes are created equal when it comes to burn times. Coconut wax in particular has become a popular choice due to claims that it burns longer than more traditional waxes like soy and paraffin.
But how much truth is there to the claim that coconut wax candles burn the longest? According to expert estimates, the average candle’s burn time is between 55-75 hours if properly maintained by keeping the wick trimmed (Source:https://www.dixoncandleandbath.com/coquito-scented-soy-wax-candle.aspx). This means a candle could last for months with regular use. But coconut wax may burn even longer thanks to its unique properties.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into why coconut wax candles burn longer than other types, examine factors that affect burn times, highlight specific extra long-burning coconut wax candles, and provide tips on how to get the most burn time out of your candles.
What Is Coconut Wax?
Coconut wax is a natural wax made from coconuts. It is produced by blending hydogenated coconut oil with other natural vegetable waxes, resulting in a wax that is solid at room temperature with a high melting point (1). Unlike paraffin wax, which is a petroleum byproduct, coconut wax comes from a renewable and sustainable source.
Coconut wax gets its name from its main ingredient – coconut oil. The oil comes from pressed coconut meat, also sometimes called copra. The coconut oil is hydrogenated, a process which transforms the normally liquid oil into a solid wax at average room temperatures. Most coconut waxes also contain a blend of other natural waxes like soy wax, palm wax, or beeswax (2).
The result is an all-natural, clean burning wax. It is odorless and white or cream colored in appearance. When used to make candles, coconut wax produces minimal smoke and melts at a lower temperature than paraffin, making it safer. It also contains natural antioxidants (3).
How Coconut Wax Candles Are Made
Coconut wax is made from coconut oil that has been refined and hydrogenated. The process starts with extracting oil from the meat of the coconut. The oil then goes through a refining process to remove any scent and impurities. Refining produces a clear, odorless oil. After refining, the coconut oil goes through a hydrogenation process. This increases the melting point and hardens the wax, improving the color stability.1
The hydrogenated coconut oil is now considered coconut wax. From here, fragrance and dye can be added to make scented, colored coconut wax candles. The wax is heated to a liquid state and poured into containers with wicks. As the wax cools and hardens, it forms a solid candle around the wick. Proper wicking is important so that the melted wax can travel up the wick when lit to release aroma and provide light.
Burn Rate of Coconut Wax vs Other Waxes
Coconut wax has a slower burn rate than paraffin wax, burning about 50% longer overall. Paraffin wax is made from petroleum, while coconut wax comes from a sustainable vegetable source. The natural structure of coconut wax allows the wax to melt slower as the candle burns, extending the life span. According to Creative Candles, coconut wax candles can burn 35-50 hours compared to paraffin’s 20-30 hours [1].
Coconut wax also tends to burn longer than soy wax. Soy wax comes from soybean oil and is another popular natural wax for candles. But soy wax burns more quickly, with a life span of 20-40 hours according to Nomad Noe [2]. The higher melting point and density of coconut wax gives it a slower, longer burn.
Beeswax has one of the longest burn times among natural waxes. Beeswax candles can burn 35-80 hours. But coconut wax comes close to rivaling beeswax in many cases. And coconut wax often holds its scent better over the full burn time.
Factors That Affect Burn Time
There are several key factors that impact how long a coconut wax candle will burn:
Wick Type
The wick is crucial in determining burn time. Larger wicks will burn faster and consume more wax, while smaller wicks burn slower. Most manufacturers recommend cotton or paper wicks for coconut wax to maximize burn time.
Candle Size
In general, the larger the candle, the longer the burn time. This is because more wax equals more fuel. Size is one of the most important factors determining burn time. Small candles may only burn for 4-6 hours, while large candles can burn 80 hours or more.
Additives
Some candle makers add supplemental oils or ingredients to coconut wax to enhance certain properties like scent throw or appearance. However, additives can sometimes decrease burn time slightly. The purest coconut wax candles without additives tend to burn the longest.
Testing Burn Times
There are a few common methods used to test the burn time of candles:
The full burn test involves burning a candle continuously in 2-3 hour intervals until it burns out completely. The total time is recorded as the burn time. This gives an accurate measure of how long a candle will burn, but is time consuming (Source: https://www.theflamingcandle.com/how-do-i-calculate-my-candle-burn-rate/).
The standard burn test from the National Candle Association involves burning a candle for 4 hours per day, tracking the burn rate each time. The total burn time is calculated by adding up the individual burns. This is a relatively quick method that simulates normal usage (Source: https://www.candlescience.com/learning/how-to-conduct-a-burn-test/).
There are also Burn Time Rating formulas that some manufacturers use, based on the candle’s dimensions and wax type. These offer a theoretical maximum burn time, but may not match real-world results.
Longest Burning Coconut Wax Candles
When searching for the longest burning coconut wax candles, there are a few top picks to consider:
Nectar Bath Treats offers a 14oz coconut wax candle that provides around 50 hours of burn time. Their candles use 100% coconut wax and feature long-lasting cotton wicks (Nectar Bath Treats).
CNFN makes 100% coconut wax candles scented with essential oils that provide a clean, long burn. Their 14oz jar candles boast an impressive 60-80 hours of burn time (Amazon).
Hemlock Park handcrafts artisanal coconut wax candles with wood wicks that provide 50-60 hours of burn time per 8oz candle. Scents include cedar, sage, and more (Hemlock Park).
When looking for the longest lasting coconut wax candles, focus on larger candles around 14oz with pure coconut wax and high-quality wicks. Expect approximately 50-80 hours of total burn time.
Caring for Coconut Wax Candles
To get the longest burn times from your coconut wax candles, follow these tips:
Trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch before lighting. This prevents excess sooting and uneven burning (Candle Care Tips, 2022). Trim the wick after each use to maintain the proper height.
Allow the wax to melt all the way to the edge of the container before blowing out the flame. This helps prevent tunneling down the center (Candle Care 101: How to Care For Your Coconut Wax Candles, 2022).
Keep the candle away from drafts caused by windows, vents or fans. Drafts can cause the flame to smoke and soot.
Pay attention to recommended burn times and extinguish the flame if you reach the maximum. Don’t let it burn for overly long periods.
Allow the wax to solidify completely between burns. This helps the candle burn evenly next time.
With proper care, you can maximize burn time and enjoy your coconut wax candle to the very last drop!
Other Benefits of Coconut Wax
In addition to burning slowly and evenly, coconut wax candles have some other notable benefits that make them a popular choice over other waxes:
Coconut wax is natural and derived from coconuts, a renewable resource. Many consumers prefer natural ingredients over synthetic ones. Coconut wax does not contain any petroleum byproducts, unlike paraffin wax.
The natural properties of coconut wax allow it to burn cleanly with very little soot or smoke. This makes coconut candles ideal for indoor use as they don’t coat surfaces with black soot like paraffin can. The lack of soot also makes cleanup easier.
Coconut wax is considered non-toxic and does not release harmful chemicals, making it safer to burn around children and pets compared to paraffin. Those with asthma or allergies may find coconut wax candles easier to tolerate.
With its natural origins and clean-burning properties, coconut wax is an excellent choice for those looking for candles made from ecologically friendly and non-toxic ingredients.
Conclusion
In summary, coconut wax candles tend to burn longer than paraffin candles due to the higher melting point of coconut wax. Pure coconut wax candles can burn for up to 120 hours, while paraffin candles may only burn for 20-30 hours.
Factors like wick size, candle diameter, and room temperature can all impact burn times. Larger wicks, wider diameters, and warmer temperatures can increase burn times. Proper candle care like trimming wicks and allowing the wax pool to fully liquefy can also maximize burn times.
While paraffin wax is cheaper, coconut wax is a more natural option that produces less soot. Coconut wax candles are clean burning and environmentally friendly. The natural fragrances also remain strong throughout the entire burn.
If you want long lasting, aromatic candles, coconut wax is an excellent choice that outperforms standard paraffin candles. With proper care and high quality wicks, coconut wax candles can provide 120+ hours of beautiful ambiance and fragrance.
