What Is the Difference Between Candle Scent Blocks & Candle Scent Oils?

Scented Candles

Craft stores often offer both liquid and solid scents for candle making. While both will work to some degree, professional candle makers tend to stick with oils rather than solid blocks.

Application

Most solid scent blocks have a paraffin wax base and may not bind properly with beeswax or soy wax. Fragrance oils will generally work well with any wax.

Concentration

Solid scents are typically very weak, so it may take much more to achieve the same scent throw as fragrance oil. This is why many professionals reject solid scents.

Handling

Solid scents are easier to store and cleaner to use than scent oils. Scent oils require bottles for storage, which take up much more space than the solid scents.

Dissipation

Fragrance oils that are properly stored can maintain their scent concentration for months to years, depending on the oil. Solid scents begin dissipating from the wax as soon as the block is made and continues to rapidly dissipate from then on.

Cost & Availability

Most candle supply stores--wholesalers--only sell fragrance oils and many have a large variety available. Solid scent is most often available only in retail outlets and only in limited scents.

References

• "The Candlemaker's Companion"; Betty Oppenheimer; 2001
• "The Book of Candlemaking"; Chris Larkin; 1998

Resources

• National Candle Association