Soy wax candles are known for their relaxing qualities. The comforting glow they add to a room has people in many groups seeking them out. They are so popular chances are you have heard of or seen soy wax candles. There are many people who have even picked up the trade of making soy wax candles themselves!
Soy wax candles are a great option; they burn longer than standard candles and are more environmentally friendly. Unfortunately if you don’t correctly create them they can crack. If this has happened to you here are a couple of reasons this may have happened.
A common reason your soy wax candles may have cracked is that during the creation process the candle wax was poured at a temperature that was too low. Which can cause tiny air bubbles to get stuck at the bottom of the container and create cracks and other surface issues.
Some tips to avoid cracking in your soy wax candle is to gently tap the container against a surface in order to help release any air bubbles. Another tip is to pour your wax at a temperature five degrees below or above your pouring temperature. It may help your wax cool more evenly. Which would lower your chances of experiencing cracking.
Why Candle Crack And Fix It
Soy wax candle cracking also happens if it cools on a solid surface. The solid surface can cool the heat in the bottom of the container too quickly. If the container’s temperature lowers too quickly at the bottom of the surface this can also result in cracks. This can be avoided by placing the container on a cooling rack. The increased air flow will help make the cooling process better.
If you want to correct your surface you can melt extra wax until it is the same temperature as your pouring temperature. Then you can pour until you have a smooth top, about ⅛ of an inch. You can layer it over cracks in order to smooth them out. Be sure to poke any sunken areas with a skewer to remove any air bubbles.
If you are out of wax that’s not a problem. You can use a heat gun to melt the surface of your candle and use a skewer to poke out the air bubbles. Achieving a smooth surface may take a few tries. Even if it takes some time your hard work will pay off!
Soy Wax Options
Soy wax is a great option for candle making, but not all soy wax is made equal. Here is a short list of some of the best soy wax for candle making. This should help you stay away from any avoidable errors.
- Hearts and Crafts (Best Overall)
- The Candlemaker’s Store (Best Budget)
- Wild Herb (Best Premium)
- Golden Brands
- Akosoy
- Candlewic
- CandleScience
For the best scent and quality Candlewic Natural Soy Wax is a great choice. It has a low melting point that makes it ideal for container candles. Candlewic is also combined with a soy base to prevent bubbling. This is a great addition considering most cracks are a result of air bubbles in the soy wax.
Hopefully these suggestions help you to make your best soy wax candles in no time!
Keeping Water Out
Water can lead to cracking and rough tops. You want to make sure in your melting and mixing process that you keep water completely out of the picture. This can be tricky for you if you live in a humid environment. If you live in a humid environment you might want to think about using a dehumidifier in the room where you make your candles.
A dehumidifier will keep the moisture in the air from potentially affecting the wax and creating cracks and rough tops.
Rough Tops
A similar issue that happens is rough tops. Rough tops are indents in the top of a soy wax candle. This usually happens as a result of over stirring. In your creation process be careful not to stir your wax too much, even while adding ingredients in.
If you have already stirred strongly you can solve this by tapping your container on a surface. You can also cover the surface with an additional layer of wax. Make sure your additional layer is ⅛ of an inch, and that you remove any air that may collect itself in the indents.
To minimize rough tops in your soy wax candle you can also adjust your pour temperature 5 degrees below or above your first pouring temperature.
Lastly, you can use a heat gun to repair indents by melting the top layer of wax in order to help you repair the rough places.
Glass Containers
Another concern facing soy wax candle makers is the one of a glass container cracking. A glass container may crack is there is not enough wax left to absorb the heat of the flame. Which can make the glass hot and crack over a period of time. To make sure this does not happen you want to make sure to use a soft melt wax like the ones mentioned above
Another reason your glass container could be cracked is your wick is off center which could cause the wax to burn on one side of the glass. Some tips to making sure this does not happen is to use a wick bar to help you center your wick. You should also use a softer lower melt point wax to ensure it all melts appropriately with the wick.
You also want to be sure to choose the right container. Glass is ideal for soy wax candles. If you choose glass you should select a heat resistant glass that is not porous.
Also check out your wick size and ensure the wick is the correct for the diameter of the container.
Wick Sizes to Prevent Cracking
You may be a bit uncertain about the measurements of a wick for a container. It is easy to get confused. A popular wick type is an Eco wick which is made specifically for natural wax candles. Eco wicks also reduce smoke and soot. You can purchase them at Amazon.
These are a few of our recommended wick and container sizes.
- ECO-1 Votives & Small Containers ( 1.25″ – 1.5″ )
- ECO-8 Pillars & Medium Containers ( 2.75″ – 3.0″ )
- ECO-14 Pillars & Large Containers ( 3.5″ – 3.75″ )
These wick examples should be enough to get you started on your journey to proper soy wax candle making.
Soy wax can require work in order to gain a candle that looks and melts the way you would like but the advantages of these candles pay off. Enjoy your smooth and beautiful candles!
Related Questions
Are Soy Wax Candles Hard to Make?
Soy Candle wax is a form of vegetable wax derived from soybeans and while it is more environmentally friendly, it is harder to work with.
Are There Easier Alternatives?
Paraffin wax is a product of petroleum coal and is the most generally used wax due to its cost. It is also the easiest to work with. But it may cause some health problems.
How Can I Make My Soy Wax Candles Better?
Mix in drops of essential oil before wax solidifies in order to improve the overall scent of the candles.
What Temperature Should I Pour My Soy Wax Candles?
Every brand of soy wax may have its own components and add ins that may affect the pouring temperature. The standard, however, is 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Some wax can be poured as high as 160 -175 degrees Fahrenheit. You want to wait until your wax starts to become hard to see through.