What Temperature Should Wax Be To Add Fragrance?

Adding fragrance oils to wax is a common practice in candle making, wax melts, and other wax-based products. The fragrance oils provide the scents that make candles, melts, etc. smell good. By adding fragrance oils to wax, manufacturers can create products that both look good with the wax and smell great from the fragrance.

Ideal Wax Temperature for Adding Fragrance

The wax needs to be heated to a liquified state in order to properly blend with fragrance oils. When wax is in solid form, the fragrance oil will simply sit on top rather than incorporating throughout the wax. Heating the wax allows the fragrance oil to fully combine and bind with the wax so that it can provide an even, consistent scent when the candle is burned.

According to candle making experts, the ideal temperature to add fragrance oil is when the wax is completely melted and in liquid form, but is not too hot (source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOkTMofm6RA). The wax needs to be hot enough to be fluid, but not so hot that some of the fragrance evaporates off. This allows the maximum amount of fragrance to bind to the wax for full scent throw in the final candle.

Not Too Hot

When making candles, it’s important not to add fragrance oil when the wax is too hot. According to The Flaming Candle, wax that is over 200°F can cause the fragrance oil to burn off or evaporate. This results in a loss of scent in the finished candle.

Adding fragrance oil at high temperatures causes the essential oils and chemicals that create the scent to break down. As The Flaming Candle explains, “When the wax is too hot, the fragrance doesn’t have time to bind properly with the wax and alcohol molecules before the high heat burns them off.”

For soy wax in particular, Armatage Candle Company recommends adding fragrance between 185°F and 200°F. Temperatures over 200°F can cause the fragrance scent to become fainter. Keeping the wax under 200°F helps allow more fragrance to bind to the wax for stronger scent throw.

In summary, allowing wax to cool down before adding fragrance helps prevent the essential oils from burning off. Aim for a wax temperature under 200°F to maximize fragrance retention and scent throw.

Not Too Cold

Wax that is too cold will not properly blend with the fragrance oil. If you add fragrance oil when the wax is below 185°F (85°C), the fragrance oil will simply sit on top of the wax rather than bonding with it (source). This can lead to an uneven fragrance throw, oil slickness on top of the cooled candle, and the fragrance separating from the wax over time.

Cool wax does not allow fragrance oils to fully incorporate because the wax molecules are moving too slowly. Proper bonding requires the wax to be in a liquid state so the fragrance oil can fully blend in. At temperatures below 185°F (85°C), the wax is not hot enough to mix properly.

For best results, the wax needs to be fully melted into a liquid state before adding the fragrance oil. Avoid adding oils when the wax is starting to thicken and solidify as it cools. The optimal temperature window is when the wax is completely liquid but not so hot that the fragrance oils start to evaporate.

Recommended Temperature Range

The ideal temperature range for adding fragrance oil to wax is between 185-200°F (85-93°C) according to experts (https://armatagecandlecompany.com/blog/what-temperature-should-you-add-fragrance-oil-to-your-candle/). Adding fragrance when the wax is within this temperature window allows the oil to fully incorporate into the wax for even fragrance dispersal and burn. The wax needs to be hot enough to be fully liquid, but not so hot that the fragrance components start to evaporate.

Measuring Wax Temperature

Measuring the wax temperature accurately is one of the most important steps when adding fragrance to candle wax. There are a few different methods that can be used:

Digital thermometer – This is the most accurate way to measure wax temperature. Use a digital thermometer with a probe designed for liquids. Make sure the probe is fully submerged in the wax to get an accurate reading.

Infrared thermometer – An infrared thermometer can also be used to measure the surface temperature of melted wax. Just point and shoot the laser at the top of the wax to get a reading. This method may be slightly less accurate than a probe thermometer.

Wax thermometer strips – Simple wax strips are available with various temperature color ranges printed on them. These can provide a ballpark estimate but are less precise than digital thermometers. Dip the strip in the wax and match the color to the range.

Test with finger – An experienced candle maker can carefully touch the wax to estimate the temperature range. This should be done carefully to avoid burns. Use this method along with another more precise thermometer.

It’s recommended to use a digital thermometer with a probe for the most accuracy when adding fragrance to melted wax. Measure in multiple areas and stir well to ensure an even temperature throughout.

Heating the Wax

The ideal temperature range to add fragrance oil to wax is 180-185°F [1]. Heating the wax properly to reach this temperature range is crucial for allowing the fragrance oil to fully incorporate.

Use a double boiler or makeshift double boiler setup to gently heat up the wax. Direct stovetop heat can scorch wax. The double boiler allows the wax to heat gradually and evenly. Fill the bottom pot with a few inches of water and place your wax container inside the water bath. Heat the water to a simmer, stirring the wax regularly as it melts. Use a thermometer to monitor the wax temperature.

Maintain the temperature right around 180-185°F. If wax gets too hot, remove it from the heat source and let it cool down before adding fragrance. Adding fragrance at the right temperature gives it the best chance to bind properly within the wax for maximum hot and cold scent throw in the final candle.

Adding the Fragrance Oil

Once the wax has reached the proper temperature range, you can add the fragrance oil. It’s important not to add the oil when the wax is too hot, as high temperatures can cause the fragrance to evaporate or morph in scent. Here are the key steps for properly adding and stirring fragrance oil into melted wax:

Measure out the amount of fragrance oil you want to use. The standard ratio is 1 ounce of fragrance per pound of wax. Adjust as needed based on your preference and wax type.

Turn off the heat source to allow the wax to cool slightly before adding the fragrance. The wax should be around 175-185°F for soy and paraffin waxes.

Slowly pour the fragrance oil into the wax, avoiding drops directly onto the wax surface, which can cause scent loss.

Gently stir the wax and oil together. Stirring helps incorporate the oil throughout the wax evenly. Be careful not to splash the wax or stir too vigorously.

Allow the fragrance to meld into the wax for 1-2 minutes before stirring again. Stirring too frequently can cause some fragrance loss.

Make sure to stir well to fully blend the fragrance oil. All the oil should be fully mixed in.

Allow the wax to cool further before pouring candles or molding wax shapes. Cool to about 135°F for soy wax.

Properly adding and stirring fragrance oil prevents scent loss and ensures even fragrance distribution in your final candle products.

Cooling and Curing

After adding the fragrance oil, it is important to allow the wax adequate time to cool and cure before using the finished product. Cooling allows the wax to solidify and curing gives time for the fragrance oil to completely blend with the wax.

According to candlemaking experts, cooling the wax down to room temperature can take 1-2 hours depending on the volume (Armatage Candle Company). As the wax cools, the fragrance oil molecules become trapped within the solidifying wax structure. The fragrance molecules have more space to spread out uniformly as the wax hardens.

Curing time allows for the chemical bonding process between wax and fragrance to fully complete. The curing process can take 1-2 days before the candle is ready to use (Fragrance Oils Direct). During curing, it’s recommended to leave the candle uncovered so any remaining volatile fragrance compounds can evaporate. This helps ensure an even fragrance throw once the candle is burned.

Allowing adequate cooling and curing time makes for a better quality finished candle with an ideal fragrance profile. Rushing the process can lead to an uneven scent throw or fading of the fragrance over time.

Conclusion

When adding fragrance oils to wax for candle making, the temperature of the wax is crucial. If the wax is too hot, over 185°F, the fragrance oils may burn off or evaporate. If the wax is too cold, under 175°F, the fragrance oil may not properly bind with the wax. The ideal temperature range is between 175-185°F. This allows the fragrance oil to fully incorporate into the melted wax without damaging the fragrance. It’s recommended to heat the wax to 185°F, then let it slightly cool before adding the fragrance oil. After adding the oil, the wax can be poured into containers at around 135°F. As the candle cools and cures over the next 24-48 hours, the fragrance oil will fully bind to the wax. Following these wax temperature guidelines will help candle makers create well-scented, long-lasting candles.