Should You Add Coconut Oil to Beeswax Candles?

Throughout all seasons of the year, candles add to the mood of our homes. Whether indoors or outdoors, all types of candles can provide beautiful functionality. A mix of waxes and oils allow candle makers a plethora of options to create incredible candles.

Adding coconut oil to beeswax candles lets candle makers bring out the best properties of both raw materials. Using different oils and waxes to create unique blends of waxes is artistic and enjoyable.

There are so many waxes and oils on the market today. Varying the percentages of each type of wax and/or oils along with candles’ shapes and scents, lets you create unique and artful designs. Keep reading for information on waxes and oils for candle making.

Coconut Oil and Coconut Wax- What Is the Difference?

Candle wax is a solid that will melt when the wick is ignited. At room temperature, without a lit wick, candle wax remains in its solid state, whether it is chucks or wax or a formed candle. Coconut oil is a saturated fat, which is solid at cool room temperature. However, as the room temperature increases, coconut oil softens and can melt depending upon how warm the room is.

Pure coconut wax is a softer wax with a low melting point. This wax will melt at around one hundred degrees Fahrenheit. Using just coconut wax in candles will not produce long-lasting candles. Waxes can be sold as coconut wax when they contain just 51 percent coconut. Be sure to find out the purity of the wax you purchase.

Coconut oil has an even lower melting point than coconut wax. This saturated fat will begin melting to a more liquified form at 78 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes it useful for many other applications than candle making. While it can be mixed with other waxes and used in the candle making process, it may separate from the other waxes that you mix with it. Be sure to experiment in small batches.

What’s the difference between coconut wax and soy wax?

Adding Coconut Oil to Beeswax Candles

Pure beeswax creates a very solid candle. Because of the hardness of the wax, beeswax is an excellent selection for pillar and taper candles. Adding coconut oil to beeswax can be effective in producing a more pliable wax. You will need to experiment with different percentages to obtain a blend that works for you.

The hardness of the beeswax makes it burn at a hot temperature. This can make it a challenge to melt the candle. Adding in coconut oil can lower the temperature at which the candle melts. The addition of the coconut oil also produces a more even burn, so your candles melt consistently and do not collapse in on itself.

Since beeswax is so hard, when it burns, a small hole is created around the wick. In addition to working through trials of the percentage of each, the size of your wick will impact the successful burning of your candle. A thicker wick will lessen the chance of your candle tunneling. The wider wick broadens the size of the flame which helps create a more even burn.

If you are seeking to enhance the natural scent of beeswax with coconut oil, that might be a challenge. Both beeswax and coconut oil have subtle scents. Adding sufficient coconut oil to your wax for scenting will change the burn properties of your candles. There are additives that you can use, but if you are seeking to only use natural products, this combination will not throw a strong scent.

What are Wax Blends?

Without waxes, there are no candles. Wax is the solid of the candle that melts when the wick is ignited. The candle’s flame provides combustion and produces heat. Waxes can be made from plants and animals.

Many candles are blends of waxes. This is done for cost, burn time, scent throw, and ease of production. Creating your own blends needs to start with a review of the main waxes used for candles. Knowing the composition of the waxes and details about how they burn and hold scents will be key components to determining your blends. The use of the candle, its shape, and container are also elements to consider.

Keep track of the mixes you create. Take notes on how wax was to work with, the burning of the candle, and the scents it created. Approach this as you would any recipe. Track your experiments in a notebook – paper or digital – either will work.

• Paraffin Wax

A by-product of the production of gasoline, this is a low-cost wax. This wax throws a strong scent for your room and creates a solid candle. It is not a sustainable wax, but it would be landfilled if not used for candles. It burns more quickly than other waxes.

• Coconut Wax

This wax has a lower melting point, so these candles burn more rapidly. This can create soot around your candle’s container. It is considered a sustainable wax when it is harvested in an eco-friendly manner.

• Beeswax

With a high melting point, beeswax creates sturdy candles. Beeswax emits a gentle scent without the addition of any fragrances. It is a renewable wax, but it is costly since bees are expensive to raise. Beeswax is a by-product of honey making.

• Palm Wax

Another wax that creates solid and sturdy candles, palm wax has similar attributes to paraffin wax. With a high melting point, it works well in the formation of pillar candles. It is a renewable resource when harvested for sustainability.

• Soy Wax

Soy wax is softer than some of the other waxes, which can make it more difficult to use. It holds scents well. While it can be considered a sustainable source, there are concerns with the deforestation that has occurred to produce soy. Chemicals and pesticides are also used in the growing of soy.

Types of Candles and Containers

There are many types of candles. Most frequently candles come in containers, or they are made as pillars, tapers, votives, or tealights.

• Container Candles

You will find these candles in many homes. They are easy to transport; there is no need for any special candle holders. These candles are inside a glass, metal, or other material jar or container. Since the shape of the candle is held by the vessel the candle is in, many waxes can be used to produce these candles.

This might be a good place to start your experimental recipe blends. You can use small jars, something like thoroughly cleaned jelly jars, to begin blending all types of wax. Try different fragrances and wicks to complement the blends you create.

• Pillar Candles

These container-less candles must hold their shape and stand on their own. When formulating your blends, start with a high percentage of the more solid and sturdy waxes, such as palm wax, paraffin, and/or beeswax. Then you can experiment adding other waxes.

• Votive and Tealight Candles

Both are small in diameter and short. Votives and tealight candles are made in containers. Most waxes or wax blends will work well creating these candles. Since these are smaller candles that use less wax, these are a great size for some experimentation.

• Taper Candles

Since these are not in containers, taper candles must hold their shape. Waxes that create solid candles, such as paraffin or beeswax, are your best materials.

Related Questions

What is Gel Candle Wax?
Gel candle wax is a misnomer. This ‘wax’ is made from mineral oil and resin. Gel wax can be used to create beautiful candles. These candles have a high melting point, so they burn without difficulty. Additionally, gel candles can be transparent or easily dyed to produce a range of colors.

What is Apricot Wax?
Apricot wax is extracted from apricot kernels. Through the process of hydrogenation, apricot oil is produced and turned to wax. Apricot wax is a softer wax, so it is often mixed with other waxes. The type of candle being formed will determine the best wax or waxes to blend.

What is Bayberry Wax?
Bayberry wax is made from cooking bayberries. In the process of boiling the berries, wax is released from the bayberries. This wax rises to the top of the water and is collected. The method has been used since colonial times. Wax from this process has an earthy scent.

What are naturally made candles?
Naturally made candles are those produced free from contaminants. When making your own nontoxic candles, consider using organic waxes, wicks that are free of chemicals, and naturally created oils.

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