How Many Candles Does 1lb of Beeswax Make?

How Many Candles Does 1lb of Beeswax Make?

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Beeswax, wicks, containers, and other supplies are lined up on your craft table prepped for an afternoon of fun. Then you stop. You realize that you did not calculate how many candles you can make from your beeswax.

A pound of beeswax will usually equal twenty ounces of liquid wax. From the twenty ounces of melted wax, you can make five candles that are four ounces each. The number of candles you can form from your beeswax will depend upon the size and type of candle.

Natural beeswax creates beautiful candles. Different shapes and sizes of candles can be formed from beeswax. Since beeswax comes from the hard work of bees, you do not want to waste any of it. Continue reading for information on planning the creation of your beeswax candles.

Beeswax Candle Making Calculations

Pure beeswax is part of the bees’ honey making process. Since it is a natural wax, it is not manufactured to precision specifications. Therefore, the density of beeswax may vary. This could affect your ability to get an exact weight. However, for most candles, this will not negatively impact your candles. Over your journey of making many candles, it may change the amount of extra wax you have.

Often, candle makers, especially those just starting out, are uncertain about how to calculate the amount of candle wax needed. Many think that you add up how much each candle jar can hold. So, if you were making six candles in 6-ounce containers, you would multiply those two numbers. However, this is not the correct way to calculate how much wax you need.

To begin calculating how many candles you can make from beeswax, grab your calculator and paper and pencil. On the average, when you melt one pound of wax, you will end up with twenty ounces of liquefied wax. The twenty ounces is the volume of beeswax you have from the weight of one pound of solid wax.

The next step is to decide which jars or molds you want to use to create your beeswax candles. Measure how many ounces of liquid each of the containers can hold. Here is one example. In this scenario, the candle maker wants to use 5-ounce molds or containers for their candles. They have four molds to use.

How Many Candles Does 1lb of Beeswax Make?

Here is how to calculate the math for our first example.

Multiply 5 (your container size) X 4 (the number of candles you want to make) = 20.

The answer of twenty is the volume of melted wax that you need. Now, you need to convert the twenty ounces to pounds or your solid weight.

The next step of the equation is –

20 total ounces / (divided by) 20 (the volume of one pound of solid wax) = 1 pound

Here is a different example that does not equal one pound of beeswax. In this scenario, you are using 8-ounce containers, and you want to make five candles. Your equation is –

Multiply 8 (your container size) X 5 (the number of candles you want to make) = 40

You need forty ounces of melted beeswax. To determine how many pounds of beeswax you need, there is one more step.

40 total ounces / (divided by) 20 (the volume of one pound of solid wax) = 2 pounds.

And we will do one more example with 16-ounce candle molds, which are one of the most commonly made sizes.

Multiply 16 (your container size) X 4 (the number of candles you want to make) = 64

Sixty-four ounces of melted beeswax is needed. The last step is to calculate the number of pounds of beeswax you need.

64 ounces / (divided by) 20 (the volume of one pound of solid wax) = 3.2 pounds

Not all of your calculations will result in an even number of pounds. For this example, you should round up the 3.2 pounds to 3.5 or 4.0 pounds.

Here is the calculation without any numbers, so you can use it for any size of candle and number of candles.

Container size X number of candles = ounces of melted beeswax

Ounces of melted beeswax / (divided by) 20 = the pounds of solid beeswax needed.

Do not let the math discourage you from making candles. Once you plug in the size of candles you are looking to make and the number of candles, all the numbers will make sense. It is always better to have more beeswax than your calculations call for. That ‘extra’ wax can always be used for more candles.

Learn about the fragrance load of beeswax!

Fragrance and Candle Making Calculations

How Many Candles Does 1lb of Beeswax Make?

Beeswax has a gentle clean scent of its own. Many people do not want to add any fragrance to the natural honey fragrance of the beeswax. However, in case you do want to enhance the aroma of your candles, there are some other calculations for your candle making. Before purchasing fragrance or essential oils, you need to know how much to purchase.

Our calculations will begin with determining how much wax is needed. Decide how many candles that you want to make. Multiply that number by the size of each container. Take that answer and divide by twenty, which is the volume of one pound of solid wax. That answer tells you how many pounds of wax are needed.

To add scents to your candles, think about the fragrance load that you are seeking. Twelve percent is the maximum that would typically be added. Starting at 6 percent is often recommended. The math needed to calculate the amount of fragrance is done after you figured out how much solid wax to purchase. Take the number of pounds of wax and multiply that by the fragrance load. That will provide you the pounds of fragrance to buy.

Here is an example.

10 (containers or molds) X 8 (ounces or size of container) = 80 ounces

80 ounces / (divided by) 20 (volume of one pound of solid wax) = 4 pounds of wax

4 (pounds of wax) X 6% (fragrance load or .06) = 0.24 pounds of fragrance

Many vendors sell fragrance by the ounce. To perform the calculation to determine the ounces of fragrance to purchase, use this example as your guide.

4 (pounds of wax) X 16 (oz in a pound) = 64 oz

64 ounces X 6% (fragrance load or .06) = 3.84 oz of fragrance

The percentage of fragrance can be adjusted to your preference.

Types of Candles

There are several different types of candle containers that you can use in your candle making. You do need to know how many ounces of liquid each container can hold. If you can, having a variety of size containers on hand will offer you flexibility. You do not want to waste any of the beeswax that you purchased and prepared for your candle making.

With some extra beeswax, you can make some extra smaller candles. Two options of smaller candles to consider making are tealights and votives. Tealight candles are usually made in plastic or aluminum containers. These very small candles are about one inch in height and 1.5 inches wide.

Another candle to make with leftover wax or to try your formulations is votives. Like tealight candles, votives are small round candles. They range in height between 2 and 3 inches. Their diameter is around one and a half inches.

Related Questions

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What is rolled beeswax?
Rolled beeswax are sheets of beeswax When they are produced, the sheets of beeswax are embossed with the honeycomb pattern that imitates the design created by bees in beehives. These can be purchased in a variety of sizes.

Can I make my own sheets of beeswax?
Yes, beeswax sheets can be made by home crafters. Some candle makers prefer to make their own sheets of beeswax because it can be less expensive than purchasing pre-made sheets of wax.

What are candle molds?
Candle molds are forms in which you pour your melted wax to create various shaped candles. Pre-made molds offer a seemingly endless supply of ideas for your candle making. Many are made from silicon, so they are easy to clean and remove the wax.

What are the benefits of using candle molds?
Some benefits of candle molds include the ease of use and variety of shapes that they offer. These shapes are decorative and will enhance your living areas. In addition, candles made in molds can be denser and offer a longer burning time.

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