How Long Does It Take For Freedom Soy Wax To Cure?
What is Freedom Soy Wax?
Freedom Soy Wax is a type of soy wax made specifically for candle making. It is manufactured by American Soy Organics and is popular among professional and hobbyist candle makers.
Freedom Soy Wax is made from hydrogenated soybean oil. It has a low melting point of around 115°F, allowing the wax to melt at lower temperatures. This makes it easy to work with during candle making processes like pouring and mixing in fragrance oils and colorants. The low melting point also provides good scent throw and allows candles to burn evenly without issues like tunneling.
Some of the main benefits of Freedom Soy Wax include:
- Smooth, premium finish on candles
- Excellent adhesion properties to hold fragrance oils
- Minimal frosting and sweating
- Easy to mix and disperse color
- Clean burn with minimal soot
Freedom Soy Wax is regarded as a high quality wax that produces excellent results for container candles, votives, pillars, and more. Its versatility and ease of use make it a popular choice among professional candle makers and crafters.
How Soy Wax is Made
Soy wax is made from hydrogenated soybean oil. The main ingredients are:
- Soybean oil – This is extracted from soybeans and is the main component of soy wax.
- Additives – Other ingredients like fragrance oils, dyes, and hardeners may be added to customize the wax properties.
The manufacturing process involves several key steps:
- Cleaning – Soybeans are thoroughly cleaned to remove any dirt or debris.
- Cracking – The soybeans are cracked open to separate the soybean oil from the meal.
- Extracting – The oil is extracted from the cracked soybeans using a solvent like hexane.
- Refining – Impurities are removed from the crude soybean oil through processes like neutralization, bleaching, and deodorizing.
- Hydrogenation – The refined oil undergoes partial hydrogenation which converts some unsaturated fats to saturated fats, making it solid at room temperature.
- Additives – Other ingredients may be incorporated at this stage to achieve desired properties.
- Cooling and Flaking – The wax is cooled and made into flakes for packaging and shipping.
The entire manufacturing process follows food-grade standards to produce a high quality, cosmetic grade soy wax (Source).
What is ‘Curing’ With Regards to Soy Wax?
Curing refers to the process of allowing newly poured soy wax melts or candles to rest undisturbed as the wax fully hardens and the fragrance oil molecules properly infuse into the wax. During this curing period, which typically lasts 24-48 hours, the melted wax undergoes important chemical changes as it cools and hardens into a solid state.
When soy wax is first poured into molds, the fragrance oil floats on top until the wax starts to harden. As the wax cools and solidifies, the fragrance oil molecules start migrating and infusing into the wax, binding tightly within the wax’s crystalline structure. The cooler the temperature, the tighter the fragrance oil binds with the crystals. This infusion process allows the fragrance to be released slowly and evenly when the cured wax melt or candle is burned, creating an optimal hot throw.
Curing is therefore a critical step that allows enough time for the soy wax and fragrance oil to fully integrate on a molecular level. Rushing this process can prevent proper fragrance binding and lead to an uneven, weak scent when the candle or wax melt is used. Soy wax specifically requires sufficient cure time due to its crystalline nature. Taking the time to properly cure soy wax results in strongly scented, high quality products.
Ideal Curing Conditions for Soy Wax
Proper temperature and humidity levels are crucial for soy wax to cure correctly. According to research by candlemakers, the ideal temperature range is 68-74°F (20-23°C) (Candlescience). Curing soy wax at temperatures lower than this range can result in frosting or sweating on the candle surface. Conversely, curing at higher temperatures may lead to sinkholes or an uneven top. Reddit users concur that 70°F (21°C) is a good average temperature for curing most waxes, including soy (Reddit).
In terms of humidity, aim for 35-50% relative humidity in the curing area (New Directions Aromatics). Low humidity below 30% can cause candles to cure too quickly, leading to cracks or tunnels. High humidity above 60% slows curing and may create wet spots on the candle surface. The ideal humidity range allows the soy wax to cure evenly without defects.
Curing Times for Soy Wax
The curing time for soy wax can vary based on a few factors. Generally, 100% soy wax blends require longer cure times compared to soy wax blends mixed with other waxes like paraffin. Pure soy wax needs a minimum of 1-2 weeks to fully cure, while soy/paraffin blends only require about 1 week of curing (Source 1).
Other factors like the fragrance oil used, candle vessel, and burn temperature can also affect cure time. Fragrances with a higher concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may need more time to fully bind with the wax. Containers that allow more air exposure like jars will cure faster than candles in tin containers. And soy wax candles designed to be burned at lower temperatures tend to need longer cure times.
In general, pure soy wax candles should be allowed to cure for 1-2 weeks before burning, while soy blend candles can often be burned after 5-7 days of curing. Testing for full cure is recommended instead of relying on a set timeline. But these typical time ranges provide a good starting point when working with soy wax (Source 2). Proper soy wax curing results in an even burn, optimal hot throw, and reduced risk of issues like frosting or tunneling.
Testing Soy Wax for Complete Curing
Once soy wax has cured for the recommended amount of time, there are a couple tests you can conduct to ensure it is fully cured before using it to make candles.
Appearance Test
A simple visual inspection of the soy wax can reveal if it is properly cured. Fully cured soy wax will be smooth and have a matte finish. It should not look wet or oily on the surface. If the wax still appears glossy or greasy, it needs more time to cure (source).
Melt Point Test
You can test the melt point of cured soy wax by using a thermometer. To do this, heat a small sample of the wax to 185°F and then allow it to cool completely. Once cooled, begin heating again and note the temperature when the wax starts to melt. The melt point of properly cured soy wax is generally between 125-135°F (source). If the melt point is lower, the wax needs more time to finish curing.
Tips for Proper Curing
Proper curing is essential for soy candles to achieve their best burn performance. Here are some tips for ensuring your soy candles cure optimally:
Store candles in a dark, dry, temperature-controlled room between 60-80°F during the curing process. Exposure to light, heat, or humidity can negatively impact curing. Keep candles away from drafts, vents, windows, or direct sunlight.1
Consider adding wax additives like vybar or parasoy to increase the hardness and opacity of soy wax, leading to better cure results. Additives give the wax more stability as it cures. Use additive amounts recommended by the manufacturer.
Allow candles to cure with lids off in a dust-free environment. This prevents wax sweating or condensation that can form under the lid. Wicks should be trimmed before curing.
Test burn a sample candle periodically to check cure progress. The burn pool should be complete and walls sturdy. If not, continue curing under proper conditions.
Avoid moving or disturbing candles as they cure. Vibrations and movement can disrupt the wax structure as it hardens and lead to issues like sinkholes forming.
Effects of Improper Curing
When the curing process is rushed or handled incorrectly, soy wax can develop issues that negatively impact performance.
For example, curing too quickly by applying excess heat can lead to air bubbles in the wax. As the wax cools and solidifies rapidly, air pockets may become trapped, resulting in a bumpy or crystallized wax surface that can have poor adhesion and texture (source).
Candles made with improperly cured soy wax may also tunnel or form sink holes as they burn. This happens when the wax cools too fast, creating an uneven crystalline structure with pockets that melt faster and lead to uneven melt pools (source).
Wax that cures too slowly may turn cloudy or opaque. The wax molecules don’t align properly, creating hazy wax that can reduce hot and cold scent throw in candles (source).
Other issues like frosting, wet spots, crumbling, diminished scent throw, and poor adhesion can also stem from improper curing. Troubleshooting these problems involves assessing curing time, temperature, and method.
Curing Alternative Waxes
Besides soy wax, two other common candle waxes are beeswax and paraffin wax. Each has its own ideal curing time.
Beeswax candles need 1-2 weeks to properly cure before burning. According to Armatage Candle Company https://armatagecandlecompany.com/blog/candle-curing/, beeswax contains more oil than soy wax, so it takes longer to fully harden and cure. Allowing beeswax candles to cure for the full 2 weeks results in a better burn and ensures the wax does not soften or bend while burning.
Paraffin wax generally has a faster cure time than soy or beeswax. As Storables notes https://storables.com/articles/how-long-for-candles-to-cure/, paraffin wax candles only need 24-48 hours to properly cure. The curing process allows all components of the wax to fully bind together. Insufficient curing can lead to issues like wet spots, poor adhesion, or cracking.
So in summary, beeswax requires the longest cure time at 1-2 weeks, while paraffin wax needs just 24-48 hours. Soy wax falls in the middle at 1-2 weeks. Properly curing each type of wax ensures optimal performance and burn quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some common questions about curing soy wax:
How long does it take soy wax to cure?
Soy wax will typically cure in 24-48 hours when left undisturbed in a temperature controlled environment between 65°F to 80°F. Colder temperatures can increase cure time. Allowing the candle to cure with the lid off can help speed up the process. (Source: https://www.candlescience.com/wax/soy-wax-trouble-shooting-guide/)
Does curing soy wax with the lid on or off make a difference?
Curing soy wax with the lid off allows the wax to release any remaining moisture and fragrance more quickly, which can cut down on cure time. However, leaving the lid on helps retain more fragrance. Many manufacturers recommend curing with the lid off for the first 12 hours, then replacing the lid for the remainder of the cure time. (Source: https://lonestarcandlesupply.com/candle-wax-faq/)
What happens if you don’t let soy wax cure properly?
Insufficient curing can lead to issues like frosting, weeping, poor hot and cold throw, and tunnels/holes forming in the wax. Allowing soy wax enough time to fully cure results in a stronger, higher quality candle.
Can anything be done to speed up soy wax curing?
Using an ideal curing temperature between 65°F to 80°F, keeping the lid off for the first 12 hours, and avoiding drafts or vibration that could disturb the wax will help soy wax cure as quickly as possible. But the full 24-48 hour cure time is still recommended for best results.
