How Many Candles Can You Make With 1 Pound Of Wax?
Making homemade candles can be a fun and creative hobby or even a great small business opportunity. Learning how to calculate how much candle wax is needed and how many candles you can make from a certain amount of wax is an important part of candle making. This article explains how to figure out candle wax requirements and predict candle yields based on the type of wax, wick and candle container used. Understanding wax density, melting points, and proper wick sizing will allow you to efficiently plan your candle making projects and budget expenses. Whether you want to make candles as gifts, for your own home décor, or to sell, knowing how to translate pounds of wax into finished candles will ensure you have the right supplies and don’t waste materials. Read on to learn thecandle yield formula and calculations you need for turning wax into beautiful, high-quality candles.
Types of Wax
There are several types of wax that can be used to make candles, each with their own properties and characteristics. The main types of candle wax include:
- Paraffin wax – This is the most common candle making wax. It is derived from petroleum and is relatively inexpensive. Paraffin wax has a high melting point and makes hard candles with a smooth finish (https://www.marthastewart.com/8061950/candle-wax-type-guide).
- Soy wax – Made from hydrogenated soybean oil, soy wax is a renewable and environmentally-friendly option. It has a lower melting point than paraffin so soy candles burn slower and cooler (https://shoparchipelago.com/blogs/blog/types-of-candle-wax).
- Beeswax – This natural wax is produced by honey bees. Beeswax candles have a lovely honey aroma and burn brighter than other waxes. However, beeswax is expensive and can be tricky to work with (https://www.weekdaycandles.com/blogs/news/types-of-candle-wax).
Other waxes like coconut, palm, and gel wax are also used in candle making, sometimes blended with the main types above.
Wax Density
The density of wax is an important factor in determining how many candles can be made from one pound. Density refers to the mass of the wax per unit volume, typically measured in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm3). Different types of wax have different densities based on their chemical composition.
Paraffin wax, which is derived from petroleum, has a density around 0.9 g/cm3. Soy wax, made from soybean oil, is less dense at around 0.8 g/cm3. Beeswax has the highest density at around 0.96 g/cm3 (https://www.candleers.com/how-much-candle-wax-do-i-need/).
The more dense the wax, the more candles can be produced per pound. For example, one pound of paraffin wax which has a higher density, will make more candles than one pound of soy wax which is less dense. Knowing the density allows you to accurately calculate the candle wax to fragrance oil ratio and how much wax is needed for the candle container.
Wick Selection
Choosing the proper wick thickness is crucial for candle making. Thicker wicks have a faster wax melt rate and use more wax, while thinner wicks have a slower melt rate and use less wax. According to the CandleScience Wick Guide, wick thickness greatly impacts capillary action, which is the candle’s ability to draw wax up the wick.
Thicker wicks above 1/0 thickness have large diameters and quickly pull molten wax. This rapid wax flow means more wax gets burned, and the candle extinguishes faster. Conversely, thinner wicks below 1/0 have small diameters, slowing the capillary action and wax flow. Less wax gets burned over time, extending the candle’s burn life. However, wicks that are too thin may struggle to remain lit.
When making candles, carefully evaluate your wax type, vessel size, and desired burn time. Then select an optimal wick thickness to sustain an even burn without wasting excess wax. Referring to a wick thickness chart can guide your selection.
Candle Sizing
The amount of wax needed for a candle depends on the size and shape of the candle. Here are some general guidelines for average wax amounts for common candle sizes:
Tapers:
– A 12″ taper candle requires around 1.5-2 ounces of wax.
– A 6″ taper needs 0.5-0.75 ounces.
Votives/Tealights:
– Standard votive candles and tealight candles require approximately 0.5-1 ounce of wax.
Pillars:
– A 3″ pillar uses around 3-4 ounces of wax.
– A 6″ pillar uses about 12-16 ounces.
– A 3″ x 6″ pillar pillar requires around 9-12 ounces.
Containers:
– A 4 oz tin or jar needs 3-4 ounces of wax.
– An 8 oz container uses around 7-8 ounces.
– A 16 oz jar requires 14-16 ounces of wax.
In general, pillar candles require around 1 ounce of wax per inch of candle height. Container candles need approximately 1 ounce per fluid ounce of the container size.
The type of wax used can also impact the amount needed. Some waxes like soy wax are denser and may require more wax per candle. Testing different candle sizes with your preferred wax can help determine exact amounts.
Wax Melting
Properly melting wax is an important step in candle making. Wax should be melted slowly and evenly to prevent overheating. There are a few common methods for melting wax (How to Melt Candle Wax | Step by Step Guide).
On the stove, wax should be placed in a double boiler or metal pitcher to melt indirectly. The water in the double boiler should never boil or get above 185°F. Melting wax directly on a stove or burner risks overheating and fire. When melting in the microwave, wax should be heated in short 30 second bursts, stirring in between to prevent hot spots. Again, temperature should not exceed 185°F (How to Melt Candle Wax | Step by Step Guide).
Getting the wax to the proper pouring temperature is also key. Different types of wax require specific temperatures. Paraffin wax should be 130-150°F. Beeswax and soy wax pour best around 115-130°F. Cooling the wax 5-10 degrees below the target temperature allows some cooling time before pouring into containers. Proper wax melting helps ensure even burn, full scent throw, and optimal appearance in finished candles.
Color and Scent
Candles can be colored and scented using various additives like dye and fragrance oil. These additives are mixed into the melted wax before pouring the candles. The type and amount of dye or fragrance used will impact the candle’s properties.
Adding too much dye or fragrance oil can reduce the volume of wax available for candle making. Most experts recommend using dye at 0.5-1% by weight and fragrance oil at 6-8% by weight at most. Exceeding these amounts can thin the wax significantly.
For example, if making candles with 1 pound of wax, using 1% dye would be about 0.45 ounces, and 8% fragrance would be about 3.2 ounces. This dye and fragrance would displace about 3.65 ounces of wax that could have been made into candles. So the more additives used, the less wax remains for candles. Candle makers need to account for this volume loss when calculating expected candle yields.
Sources:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-kind-pigments-can-used-candle-colorants-meng-wang
Candle Making Process
Making candles is a multi-step process that requires patience and care. Here are the basic steps:
1. Prepare the wax. Pour wax flakes or blocks into a melting pot and heat until completely melted. The wax should be heated to 185-200°F to ensure proper melting.
2. Add color and fragrance. Once the wax is melted, you can stir in candle dyes and essential oils or fragrance oils as desired. Use 0.5-1 ounce of dye per pound of wax. For fragrance, follow manufacturer recommended usage rates.
3. Prepare wick and pour into containers. Cut the wick to size based on the candle diameter, leaving extra wick at the base. Place wick in the bottom of the candle container. Carefully pour the melted wax into the container, being careful not to disturb the wick placement.
4. Allow candles to fully set and cure. Let candles sit undisturbed as they cool and harden completely. This may take up to 48 hours. Allow candles to cure for 1-2 weeks before burning to maximize scent throw and burn time.
Proper preparation, high quality ingredients, and patience in the process will result in great homemade candles you’ll be proud of.
Yield Calculations
The yield from one pound of wax can vary based on the type of wax, wick size, candle container size, and other factors. Here are some general guidelines and formulas for estimating candle yield per pound of wax:
Most standard candle waxes like paraffin, soy, or beeswax will yield approximately 20-24 ounces of candles per pound. So one pound of wax will make about 10-12 standard 8 ounce jar candles. According to Lone Star Candle Supply, “Per pound of wax, you will get about 20 ounces of volume.” [1]
To calculate how much wax is needed for a certain number of candles:
(Ounces of wax needed per container) x (Number of containers) = Total ounces of wax needed
Total ounces needed ÷ 16 ounces per pound = Pounds of wax needed
For example, if making 24 standard 8 ounce jar candles:
8 oz per jar x 24 jars = 192 ounces
192 ounces ÷ 16 oz/lb = 12 pounds of wax needed
The formula can be adjusted based on different container sizes. According to CandleScience, “Larger candles require more wax and smaller candles require less wax.” [2]
Factors like wick size, wax density, fragrance load, and additional design elements may slightly reduce the yield per pound. But the above formulas provide a good starting estimate.
Conclusion
The key factors that determine the yield for candle making using 1 pound of wax are the type of wax used, its density, the wick size, the diameter of the candle container, how much fragrance oil is added, and the cooling process. The purpose of this article was to provide a comprehensive overview of how to calculate the number of candles that can be made with 1 pound of wax based on these factors. We covered that lower density waxes like paraffin allow for more candles from 1 pound, while higher density waxes like soy and beeswax produce fewer candles. Smaller candle diameters also result in more candles. Adding excessive fragrance oil reduces yield. Proper wick sizing relative to diameter is crucial. Allowing candles to cool properly before removing from molds maximizes yield. While exact yield will vary based on your materials and process, this article should give you the key knowledge needed to determine approximate candle yields when working with 1 pound batches.
