| The diminutive little soy bean is a prodigious provider | | | | includes a good quality thermometer, a metal stirrer |
| of good things for mankind. They supply such things | | | | and molds. |
| as: oil, meal, flour, infant formula, meat, dairy | | | | Supplies needed include wax, wicks, colors and |
| substitutes, cattle feed and other products. One of | | | | scents. The type wax used will depend on the type |
| those other products is a soy wax that is ideal for | | | | candle being made. Pure soy wax is excellent for |
| use in making candles. It is a partially-hydrogenated | | | | container candles. Since it is soft it will easily pour into |
| form of soybean oil and is less rigid than other candle | | | | the container and it will adhere to the sides of the |
| making waxes. This makes it a very good wax for | | | | container better because it is softer. This |
| container candles but it requires modification for use | | | | characteristic also enables soy wax to absorb colors |
| in other type candles such as pillar or votive. | | | | better. |
| Soy wax can be stiffened by mixing it with other | | | | If you are making pillar or votive candles different |
| waxes such as palm wax, beeswax or paraffin. Other | | | | soy waxes are required. Pillar candles are the tall and |
| additions to soy wax comprise: stearic acid, ultraviolet | | | | slender ones that go in candle holders. They must be |
| absorbers, vybar, luster crystals, petrolatum. mineral | | | | stiff enough to remain standing straight while burning |
| oil and bht crystals. Unfortunately there are no | | | | and when in the path of direct sunlight. When buying |
| enforced labeling standards so it is difficult to know | | | | wax it should be specified what type candle is to be |
| exactly what you are getting when candles labelled | | | | made to insure that the properly modified wax is |
| as soy are purchased in stores. | | | | obtained. |
| This situation builds the case for making your own | | | | The same is true with votive candles that are thicker |
| soy candles in addition to the fact that soy wax is a | | | | than the pillar type. These are generally used in |
| natural product that is widely produced domestically. | | | | religious ceremonies and are burned on a plate, tray |
| It is also a very clean burning naturally aromatic wax. | | | | or other supporting surface. They don't have to be |
| Making your own soy candles is a fun, easy and | | | | as rigid as pillars but the softer pure soy wax would |
| rewarding hobby craft. The equipment and supplies | | | | not work. Both the pillar and votive candle are |
| required for making soy candles are very similar to | | | | formed in molds and must be demolded. Pure soy |
| that of paraffin candles, the most common candle in | | | | wax would stick to the mold and prove to be difficult |
| use today. | | | | to work with in the demolding process. So be sure to |
| The primary piece of equipment needed to make | | | | specify the correct wax for the type candle being |
| soy candles is a wax heater that incorporates the | | | | made. |
| feature of indirect heat utilizing a double burner. | | | | Wicks are another important item needed in making |
| There are commercially available devices that are | | | | soy candles. Here too it is important to match the |
| adequate for the task but it can also be | | | | right wick with the right candle. They will vary in size |
| accomplished with the use of two pots of varying | | | | and preparation. It may take a little experimentation |
| size. The larger one is used to heat water and the | | | | to get the right wick. Ideally you are looking for a |
| smaller pot with the wax is placed in the heated | | | | burn pool with a depth of one quarter to one half |
| water so the it will be melted with indirect heat. | | | | inch. Another option is no wick. A wickless soy candle |
| Direct heat will spoil the wax and cause the finished | | | | heated on an electric candle warmer will produce the |
| product candle to be unacceptable. Other equipment | | | | same delightful fragrance as one with a lit wick. |