Do Homemade Candles Need To Cure?

What is Curing?

Curing is the process of allowing homemade candles to rest after they have been poured and cooled. According to The Spruce Crafts, curing refers to the “chemical process that takes place as the wax and fragrance oil bind and incorporates into each other.”

When making candles, the wax is heated to a liquid state to allow mixing in the fragrance oils. As the candle cools, the wax begins to solidify again. During the curing process, the cooling wax molecules intertwine with the fragrance oil molecules evenly throughout the candle. This allows the fragrance to bind with the wax so it can be released evenly when the candle is burned.

Curing is an important final step when making candles. It helps strengthen the scent throw and burn properties. Without curing, the candle may tunnel or have an uneven scent when burned. Properly curing a candle before use allows the wax and fragrance mix to set up properly (Armatage Candle Company).

Benefits of curing candles

Curing homemade candles provides several key benefits that improve the overall quality and performance of the candle. According to Armatage Candle Company, the main benefits include:

Improves burn quality – Curing hardens the wax, which allows the wax pool to burn evenly without tunneling (a hole in the center of the candle). Harder wax also promotes full melt pool burns.

Makes wax harder – As the candle cures, micro-crystallization occurs which helps harden and strengthen the wax. This makes the candle more rigid and less likely to bend or slump.

Enhances fragrance – Curing allows fragrance oils to fully bind with wax molecules leading to better cold and hot scent throw when burned. It also prevents wet spots which can alter fragrance.

According to https://armatagecandlecompany.com/blog/candle-curing/, curing is a critical part of candle making that dramatically improves the overall quality, performance and scent throw.

How long to cure candles

The recommended curing time for homemade candles varies based on the type of wax used. For soy wax candles, it’s best to cure for 1-2 weeks. Paraffin wax candles need 3-5 days of curing. Beeswax and coconut wax candles fall in the middle, needing 7-10 days to fully cure before use. Curing allows time for the crystals in the wax to completely align, helping the candle burn evenly and preventing issues like tunneling. Rushing the curing process can lead to poor performance. According to The Spruce Crafts, most experts recommend at least 24-48 hours of curing for paraffin candles and up to a full week for soy candles[1]. While it may be tempting to start burning a candle right away, allowing the full 1-2 weeks leads to the best results.

Curing Process Step-by-Step

Properly curing candles is crucial for optimal performance. Here are the key steps in the candle curing process:

1. Leave the candle undisturbed for at least 24 hours after pouring to allow the wax to fully set up. Do not move or handle the candle during this time.

2. After 24 hours, turn the candle over so the bottom becomes the top. This allows the wax to pool evenly as it cures (source: https://sojourncompany.com/blog/how-long-should-soy-candles-cure/).

3. Leave the candle undisturbed in the flipped position for at least 1-2 weeks. This extended cure time allows the wax to fully stabilize.

4. After 1-2 weeks, do a test burn of the candle for a few hours. Check that the wax pool is even and the candle burns cleanly.

5. If the test burn is successful, the curing process is complete and the candle is ready to use. If not, allow the candle to cure for longer.

Proper curing takes patience but is important for optimal candle performance. Allowing 1-2 weeks undisturbed cure time is generally recommended for high quality homemade candles.

Signs your candle is cured

There are a few key signs that indicate your homemade candle is fully cured and ready to use:

The top layer of wax should be completely hardened. When a candle is freshly poured, the top layer remains soft as the wax continues to cool and solidify. Once cured, the wax will be hard with no indentations.

Properly cured candles should have no signs of frosting. Frosting is a whitish film that can develop on the surface of candle wax. It’s typically caused by fragrance oils migrating through uncured wax. If a cured candle has no frosting, it means the wax has set up correctly.

You should notice a strong, consistent fragrance. As a candle cures, the scent becomes stronger and more evenly distributed. An uncured candle may have weak or inconsistent aroma. When cured, the fragrance should smell robust throughout the entire candle.

Source: https://sojourncompany.com/blog/how-long-should-soy-candles-cure/

Storing cured candles

Proper storage is important for maintaining your cured candles. According to the Harlem Candle Company, you’ll want to store finished candles in a cool, dark place away from excess heat and moisture.

The ideal storage temperature is below 80°F. Heat can cause the candle wax to soften, losing its shape or becoming misshapen. Excessive warmth may also cause the fragrance oils to become more volatile. As noted in Wikihow, sealing scented candles in sealed plastic bags can help them retain their scents for longer.

Moisture is another concern. Water can damage wicks and distort wax. Make sure storage areas are dry. Covering candles or using bags is one way to protect them. Basements, garages and attics are often too damp. A closet, cabinet or drawer works well. You can also store candles in the fridge for short periods.

In addition to moderate temperatures and low humidity, keep candles away from direct sunlight. UV rays may accelerate fading of colors and fragrances. It’s best to store candles in a dark, enclosed space for maximum preservation.

Troubleshooting Curing Issues

Some common curing issues include frosting, sinking, and poor scent throw. If you notice frosting on the top of your candle, this is caused by the wax cooling too quickly. To fix this, try heating the candle gently with a heat gun to re-melt the surface and slow the cooling process. According to Village Craft and Candle, “Turn the heat gun on low and hold it fairly close to the container to warm the wax slowly without scorching it.”

Sinking or concaving of the candle surface happens when the outer wax cools faster than the inner wax. This contracts the outer wax layer, creating a dip in the center. To prevent sinking, cool candles slowly and evenly. You can place candles in the refrigerator during curing to help control the temperature. CandleScience recommends letting candles cure for 24-48 hours minimum to allow for even cooling and maximum scent throw.

Poor scent throw may be the result of not allowing enough cure time. Curing helps scent molecules fully release and disperse throughout the wax. Give candles at least 1-2 weeks cure time and make sure to store in a temperature controlled environment. Check for other issues like incorrect wick size if scent remains weak after proper curing.

Do all homemade candles need curing?

Not all homemade candle recipes require curing. According to the Late Harvest Candle Co., candles made from soy wax generally need a minimum 2-week cure time before lighting [1]. Beeswax candles also need curing time, typically 1-2 weeks [2]. However, there are some candle wax blends and recipes that do not require curing at all.

Paraffin wax candles, for example, do not need to cure and can be burned immediately after making. Vegetable-based container candles also often do not require curing. Gel wax candles are ready to burn as soon as they harden fully. If a candle recipe calls for mixing soy wax with paraffin or other waxes, the cure time may be reduced or eliminated altogether.

It’s important to follow the specific recipe instructions. While many homemade candles benefit from curing first, some recipes are designed to be used right away. As long as you stick to the recipe, you’ll know whether curing is an essential step or whether your homemade candles are ready to enjoy after cooling.

Safety tips for curing candles

When curing homemade candles, there are some important safety tips to keep in mind. Proper wick length is crucial – wicks that are too long can cause big flames and sooting when the candle is burned. Make sure to trim your wicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting cured candles.

It’s also critical to be aware of flash points when working with candle wax and fragrance oils. The flash point is the lowest temperature at which the wax or oil’s vapor can ignite. Heating wax or oil above the flash point can cause fire, so always check the flash point and never exceed it. When adding fragrance oil, remove your mixture from heat first.

According to Northwood Candle Supply (source), some other safety tips include:

• Work in a well-ventilated area.
• Keep a fire extinguisher on hand.
• Avoid distraction and take your time.

Following basic safety precautions will help ensure your homemade candles cure properly without any dangerous mishaps.

Cured vs uncured candle comparison

One of the main differences between cured and uncured candles is burn time. According to this video, cured candles tend to burn longer – around 15-20% longer on average. This is because during the curing process, the wax molecules have time to fully align, resulting in a denser, more stable candle. An uncured candle may burn faster since the wax is still settling and adjusting.

Cured candles also tend to have better hot and cold throw than uncured candles. As explained by this article, curing allows the fragrance oil to fully bind with the wax. This produces a stronger scent both when burning and when unlit. With an uncured candle, the fragrance may not have had time to properly infuse.

Finally, cure time affects the texture and appearance of the candle. According to discussions on this forum, cured candles have a smoother surface and tend to hold their shape better. Uncured candles may develop wet spots, sink holes, or rough textures. Proper curing results in a smooth, flawless finish.