Are you wanting to start candle making and wonder what temperature the wax will melt at? In this article, we will discuss the different types of waxes and what temperature they need to be heated to in order to melt properly for candle making.
The temperature at which candle wax will melt will depend upon the type and the blend. Soy waxes will melt between 100°F -135°F, paraffin wax will melt between 120°F and 140°F, and beeswax will melt at 144°F. The lower the melting point, the easier and quicker the wax will melt compared to candle waxes with a high melting point.
Explore how to melt candle wax and how to ensure you are at the correct temperature to heat the type of wax you are using. Learn some important tips about melting candle wax and the candle-burning process.
Candle Wax Melting Point Temperature
Different candle waxes melt at different temperatures, therefore you need to know what wax you are using and what temperature it properly melts at so you can create a beautiful and efficient candle.
The end result of a candle will mainly depend upon how the candle wax was melted and what the temperature of the wax was when it was heated and poured, therefore you must know what temperature your wax needs to melt at to create a great final product.
The table below shows many different types of candle wax and their melting points. It shows natural waxes as well as blended waxes. We can see that there is a large variety of melting points even within the same type of wax used, and this is due to the type of candle that is being made.
Different Wax Melting Temperatures
| Wax Type | Melting Point °F |
| Natural Soy Wax: | |
| Golden Brands 464 Soy Wax | 113-119°F |
| Golden Brands 444 Soy Wax | 121-125°F |
| Golden Wax 415 Soy Wax | 121-125°F |
| Blended Waxes Pillar Soy Wax (BW-921) | 135°F |
| EcoSoya PB Pillar Soy Wax | 131°F |
| EcoSoya CB-Advanced Soy Wax | 100°F |
| EcoSoya CB 135 Soy Wax | 100°F |
| SoyMax M124B | 120°F |
| Soy Natural Wax Blends: | |
| Golden Brands 454 Coconut Soy Wax | 114-124°F |
| Paraffin Natural Wax Blends: | |
| IGI 6006 Paraffin/Soy Blend Wax | 133°F |
| IGI 6046 Coconut/Paraffin Blend Wax | 120°F |
| IGI 6028 Paraffin/ Soy Pillar Blend Wax | 133°F |
| Blended Waxes Paraffin/Soy Wax (BW-910) | 120°F |
| Paraffin Wax: | |
| IGI 4630 Harmony Blend Wax | 119°F |
| IGI 4627 Comfort Blend Wax | 125°F |
| IGI 4625 Pillar And Votive Blend Wax | 142°F |
| IGI 1239 A Paraffin Wax | 138°F |
| Paraffin Container Wax (MP-117) | 117°F |
| Paraffin Pillar Wax (MP-137) | 135-140°F |
| Beeswax: | |
| White Beeswax | 144°F |
| Yellow Beeswax | 144°F |
Soy wax has the lowest melting point at 100°F and beeswax has the highest melting point at 144°F. Although these are both natural waxes, we can see how their unique, natural make-up can affect the melting point of the wax.
By blending different waxes together, you can alter the melting point of the candle wax. Softer waxes such as soy tend to have a lower melting point and they can have strong scents and bright colors and are great for container candles.
Harder waxes such as paraffin and beeswax generally have high melting points and tend to burn for a long time and are great for pillar or stand-alone candles.
If you overheat a wax, it cannot be fixed. You will have to start again, so keep your eye on that thermometer and know what you should be doing and looking for when it comes to melting the candle wax.
What Candle Wax Should I Use
Candlescience.com recommends using Golden Brands 646 Soy Wax due to its ease of use and high performance, especially if you are a beginner candle maker.
The Golden Brands 646 Soy Wax comes available in a 1 or 10-pound bag, a 45-pound case, or a 36-case pallet. It comes packaged as wax flakes and looks smooth and creamy and is most commonly used in container candles or tea light candles.
You can buy a bag of Golden Brands 646 Soy Wax on Amazon and get it delivered to your home so you can get candle making.
Harder waxes can be more difficult to work with but if you want a particular type of candle such as a pillar, you want to ensure you use a hard wax with a high melting point to give you the long-lasting and durable structure that you need.
If you want a candle that has a strong scent, choose a wax that has a low melting point, but if you want a long-lasting candle, go for a wax that has a high melting point.
If you care about using a natural product, go for natural wax such as soy wax, coconut wax, beeswax, and palm wax. You may want to avoid waxes like paraffin and gel, which are not naturally occurring substances.
You can experiment with different waxes when candle making and pick the one you enjoy working with most. Just ensure you melt it at the correct temperature every time so you can make successful and efficient candles.
How To Melt Your Candle Wax
When candle making at home, you will something to melt your candle wax into to form the basis of your candle. Whether you are a candle-making newbie or have your own home-based candle business, this is the main piece of equipment you will need.
There are few methods to melt your candle wax, but whether you are using a wax melter or a homemade double boiler, you will place your candle wax in the vessel and let the heat begin to heat up and melt the wax.
You will stand there and monitor the candle wax at all times, watching the thermometer as the temperature rises. When your wax has fully melted, you can then adjust the heat depending on what temperature the wax needs to be when pouring it.
If you are a beginner candle maker, you most likely will not have a wax melter, therefore, would use the double boiler method for melting your candle wax. Use what you have and have fun with it. The more you do, you may decide to invest in a specialty-made wax melter use for your candle making.
Checking The Temperature Of Your Wax
You must always be checking the temperature of your candle wax. A thermometer is a vital piece of equipment you will need when candle making in order to get the correct temperature to melt and pour your candle.
If you do not heat the candle wax to the right temperature as well as pour it at the correct heat, there will be issues with your candle such as a bad texture, no scent, and more. So know that you must have a thermometer when you are candle making to create a great candle and also to keep you safe and prevent a hazardous situation.
If you underheat your candle wax, any dyes or fragrances added will not dissolve fully, therefore you need to ensure it heats up enough so you can have a great scented and colored candle. That is why getting the temperature just right is key in the candle-making process.
To get the temperature of your wax just right, you need to constantly supervise it and watch the thermometer as the heat increases. Know that metal bowls or containers will get hotter faster than glass, so be mindful of what you are using when heating up your wax and know what equipment you prefer to use.
Don’t rush the candle wax melting process and don’t get distracted from it either.
What To Look For In A Candle-Making Thermometer
As a candle maker, there will be a few things that will make reading your wax heat that much easier and a good quality thermometer is what you want to use. Let’s find out some key things that you would want for your thermometer when using it for candle making purposes.
- Have an adjustable clip on the thermometer so you can clip it onto the bowl or pitcher so you can have your hands free to stir the wax, add fragrance, and so on whilst also watching the temperature at the same time. It will allow you to see the temperature even when you are doing other things to the wax.
- Ensure the thermometer you are using is easy and clear to read. Ensure it allows you to read high temperatures and is very accurate. Ensure you understand if it is reading the temperature in celsius or Fahrenheit (or both) and you can see the exact temperature at any given moment.
Other thermometer types include a digital thermometer or an infrared thermometer that you can also use if you prefer.
Burning A Finished Candle
The burning of a final product you have made is exciting and you may be wondering about what exactly goes on when a candle is burning. How does it go from a solid wax candle and fade away from view?
When you use a candle that you have made, you will notice changes happening to the wax and its temperature of it as it burns. Let’s explore the candle-burning process in its different stages.
- Lighting Your Candle Begins To Melt The Wax
When you burn your candle, you begin to change the wax from a solid wax to a liquid wax and then into a gas due to the flame creating heat. The wax around the wick melts first, as it is closest to the flame and the increased heat. This small pool of melted wax gets bigger and bigger as more wax melts over time.
- The Flame Gets Fueled
As the candle wax melts, it gets drawn up by the wick which keeps the flame going and in turn continues to melt more wax. The candle wax becomes very hot and there is a continuous flow of heat, melted wax, and liquid going through the wick which keeps the candle steadily burning away.
- The Candle Wax Reaches Boiling Point And Vaporizes
Small amounts of wax in the candle begin to reach boiling point and so the wax vaporizes and therefore goes from a liquid into a gas. The hot gas then breaks down into hydrogen and carbon.
- Evaporation In The Air Surrounding The Candle
The air around the candle gets heated and water particles get released as the candle wax continues to melt. As the moisture from the candle evaporates, the air around the flame becomes dry. That causes the wax to seem as though it is disappearing as the candle burns.
There are certain things that can cause a candle to slow down vaporization and burn time, such as:
- The candle wax used. Using a slow burning wax will extend the burn time.
- The wick being too long or short and cannot burn efficiently.
- Fragrances and additives added to the candle wax can affect burn time and vaporization.
Tips For Melting Your Candle Wax
As melting your candle wax and getting it to the right temperature is the most pivotal thing when it comes to the success of your candle, here are some important tips to help you as you melt your candle wax to the best of your ability.
- Avoid melting candle wax in the microwave as you cannot keep an eye on the temperature and the melting of the wax will be uneven and hazardous
- Know what candle wax you are using and what temperature its melting point is
- Never melt candle wax in direct heat, e.g. don’t place a pot with the wax directly over the stove, instead use a double boiler.
- If you are using a wax melter to melt your candle wax, ensure you read the instructions before using it and set it up correctly
- Never walk away from melting candle wax
- Never add crayons to melting wax to replace using dye
- Do not overheat your wax
- Have oven mitts on your hands and wear goggles to protect your eyes from any hot wax that may splash up on you
- Never put out a candle wax fire with water, use a fire extinguisher
Do not rush through these tips or the candle melting process. Take your time with it and be present with what is happening in front of you so you can act quickly when needed.
Candles Melting From Hot Weather
Some candles may melt if they are left in direct sunlight and in intense heat. Candles with a lower melting point are more likely to be affected compared to candles with higher melting points, as they can withstand heat.
To keep your candles in great condition and safe, you would want to avoid keeping them in direct sunlight, in the car, hot water cupboard, and in any other areas that can get quite hot. Smaller candles are more likely to melt than bigger candles.
Keep your candles in a dry, shady, and cool location and treat them with love and care whether they are lit or not.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Temperature Is Too Hot For Candle Wax?
Wax can become flammable and ignite if its temperature rises too much. The temperature will vary due to the candle wax used, but ideally, you would never want to get over 200°F if you are using reasonably soft wax.
What Happens If You Overheat Candle Wax?
The candle will not be an efficient candle as it may have a poor scent throw, discoloration, cracks, frosting, and more. Overheating can cause a change to its chemical structure. The heat of the wax is the most important thing when candle making so uses your thermometer.
At What Temperature, Should Fragrance Be Added To Candle Wax?
You will need to find out the specific temperature for the type of candle wax you are using, but in general, you will add fragrance around 180°F-200°F. Adding fragrance is optional when candle making. You do not need to have a scented candle if you don’t want to.
Final Words
Overall, candle wax will melt at temperatures around 100°F – 144°F. Softer waxes have a lower melting point than harder waxes, so don’t think one size fits all! The temperature of the wax is the part you really want to focus on and get right during the candle-making process. Ensure you have a thermometer when you are candle making, be mindful, and have fun!
