Facts on Candle Wax
Candle wax quite frequently refers to either pure beeswax or manmade paraffin wax. Both varieties are used for the manufacture of candles, yet it is the beeswax that is prized not only for its pleasant smell but also for the labor-intensive process that turns the natural product into a ready-to-use candle. This makes beeswax candles more expensive, and subsequently they are used for special occasions and at special venues, such as in religious ceremonies or during holiday festivities.
-
History
-
Candles made from beeswax were used beginning in ancient China. In the Middle Ages, they were used in religious ceremonies in the churches of Europe, but private individuals could not afford the costly substance. Paraffin wax became the common man's candle wax in the late 1800s, when it was first separated from petroleum.
Types
-
Beeswax is derived from honey bees. As they build the honeycomb cells, the insects seal them off with the help of wax. When the honey is harvested, it is the sealing cap that is cut off and then collected for the manufacture of beeswax. Paraffin wax is a petroleum product that has a variety of uses in industry and candle making.
-
Function
-
Beeswax may be used for candle making but also for the use in cosmetic products and even household cleaners, such as furniture polish. Paraffin wax is also used for candle making, but also finds use as an insulator in electrical wiring work as well as industrial applications.
Features
-
Beeswax candles are extremely clean burning and release little smoke. They do not drip as they burn, because beeswax is known to have a high melting point. Paraffin does not have its own odor or color. This makes it a perfect substance for dyeing and also the infusion of scents. Although beeswax candles have a natural scent that is highly desired, it is the paraffin candle wax that is preferred for use as room-freshening candles.
Considerations
-
Paraffin wax is the substance used most often by hobbyists who make their own candles. Beginners enjoy the ease with which already existing candles can be melted down into a new product or the simplicity of using paraffin chips to turn into homemade candles. Beeswax is not used as often, in part because beginners lack the knowledge of how to work with this substance.
-
Resources
- Photo Credit Steve Jurvetson/Wikimedia Commons
