How to Make a Soy Candle

This was an informative essay assignment that I wrote for my English Composition Class in Summer of 2022. I thought it would be nice to post it on my website for anyone who desires to make a soy candle. Please give credit where credit is due. Do not plagiarize, thank you! My content is copyrighted.

Please be safe when handling hot wax. Soylar Candles is not responsible for any accidents that may occur from this tutorial.

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How to Make a Scented Soy Wax Candle

.....If you enjoy the wonderful scents and ambient lighting of natural soy candles, you will really enjoy making your very own scented soy candles at home. Making your own soy wax candles is a fun craft that gives you many hours of enjoyment. Candles have always been a necessary item to provide light, and warmth, while also adding a lovely aroma to your home. They are a great item to have on hand in case of emergencies, such as power outages. As a beginner, you will learn how to make scented soy wax candles as gifts, or for yourself.

.....Soy wax is a pure vegetable wax made from soybeans that are grown on America`s soybean farms. The soybean oil goes through a hydrogenation process that turns the liquid oil into solid flakes. Soy wax burns clean without emitting toxic chemicals into the air you breath compared to paraffin. Soy wax is also a natural and renewable resource that supports America`s farmers, not big oil companies and foreign investors. It is easy to clean with warm soapy water, and is completely biodegradable. I will explain the equipment and supplies you`ll need, and how to melt down the solid wax flakes into a pourable liquid. By following these six steps, you`ll be able to make a candle that you can enjoy, and feel proud that you made it yourself.

.....First, in order to make a soy candle, you will need to gather the supplies and equipment that can be used for at-home candlemaking. The best place to make your candle is on your kitchen countertop. You will need one pound of pure soy container wax, one ounce of candle fragrance oil with a flashpoint of 170°F or higher, liquid candle dye color, a seven-inch HTP-126 (high temperature paper) cotton wick with metal wick pin, a double stick wick sticker, a pen barrel (the long hallowed out part of a pen), a 32-ounce microwavable glass Pyrex pouring pot, a microwave, a candy thermometer, a stirring stick, a pot holder, paper napkins, a 16-ounce mason jar, and a cheap heat gun. Some of the items listed can be purchased at a local craft store, supermarket, or at an online candle supply company.

.....Second, prepare your Pyrex pouring pot and mason jar by wiping away any dust or debris. Pour the soy wax flakes into the pouring pot and place it in the microwave uncovered for three minutes. Give it a check to see how much is melted. If it`s not fully melted, put it back in the microwave for another minute, and keep checking in one minute increments. Once the wax is fully melted, use your pot holder to remove the hot wax from the microwave. CAUTION! The wax will be very hot! Please be very careful not to spill it on yourself. Move slowly while placing the hot pot on the kitchen countertop. Slowly stir the wax with the stirring stick for about five seconds, and place the tip of the candy thermometer into the hot wax. Clip the thermometer to the edge of the pouring pot. While the thermometer is heating up, it is a good time to add the candle dye color. Add one drop at a time, then stir the wax. Place a small drop of wax from the stirring stick onto a non-porous surface, such as a plate or tile. Allow the wax drop to harden to see what the color of the wax will be once it hardens. If you want a darker color, add more dye color. Keep adding drops until you have reached your desired color.

.....Third, check the thermometer often to see what the temperature is. Most candle fragrances have a flash point over 170°F. But be sure to check your fragrance`s flash point, because you wouldn`t want the hot wax to burn off the beautiful fragrance notes before the candle is made. Let`s assume your fragrance has a 200°F flash point. Add one ounce of fragrance oil when the wax reaches a temperature of 170°F. Begin to stir for two minutes to ensure that the wax molecules properly bind with the fragrance molecules.

.....Fourth, while you`re waiting for the soy wax to cool off, this is the time to wick the jar. Place the double sided wick sticker onto the metal wick pin on the end of the cotton wick. Peel off the sticker backing and place the wick into the jar by placing the wick inside the pen barrel. Stick the wick firmly inside the center of the bottom of the jar. Now your jar is ready and prepped to be filled with wax. Give the wax another stir.

.....Fifth, as you wait for the wax to cool down, while stirring occasionally, it could take thirty minutes or more for the wax to reach the ideal pouring temperature of 100°F-105°F. It is important that you do not pour the wax while it is hot. This will cause air holes to form around the wick. The surface of the candle will develop craters and will look unattractive. Soy wax does not behave the same way as other candle waxes. One thing to remember, is that soy wax is a natural vegetable wax that will have its own properties and natural characteristics. Once the wax reaches a temperature of 100°F-105°F, it should look a bit thick and cloudy, almost like runny apple sauce. This is the best time to pour the wax. You will get maximum results by pouring at a cool temperature or right before the wax begins to set up to its solid state.

.....Sixth, carefully and slowly pour the wax into your mason jar. Try not to let the wax splash or spill to avoid having to clean up later. Do not over fill the jar. Leave half an inch to an inch of space at the top of the jar. Centered the wick by placing the stirring stick on top of the jar, laying across the diameter of the opening. The stirring stick is used to keep the wick from moving around, or falling to the side. Once the wax hardens, remove the stirring stick and trim the wick to 1/4" inch. The top surface of the candle might have a bumpy surface. Use the heat gun to remelt the surface wax to smooth it out. Clean your equipment with the paper napkins, and do not pour any left over wax down your drains. It will clog your drains. Pour the left over wax into another candle container, or in the trash. Allow the candle to cure for one week or more before lighting for the best scent throw. The throw is the distance the scent travels in a room.

.....Last, if you are giving the candle as a gift, be sure to place a candle safety warning label on the bottom of the jar. If you follow these six steps, you can make a beautiful soy wax candle of your own, or to give as a gift. Your candle will give you many hours of beautiful ambient lighting, and it will give your home a warm cozy feel. You will feel proud that you made it yourself, while using one of earth`s natural and renewable resources.

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