Candles are one of the earliest sources of light. They're nothing new, but that doesn't mean they can't continue to improve. One of the recent changes in the world of candle making has been the development of soy candle wax.

For centuries, the main fuel for candles was tallow. While tallow did burn, tallow doesn't make a good candle. They create a lot of smoke when they burn and they also give off a stench . That is why paraffin took over once it became available.

These days, however, some people object to using paraffin because it is a petroleum product. Because of this, there's been so much interest in developing a "green" alternative to paraffin. Soy candle wax resulted from this search.

Soy beans are a good source of oil. However, soybean oil isn't solid so it's not suitable for making candles. But if you change the chemistry of an oil you can change the temperature at which it becomes solid.

Whether a fat is liquid or solid at room temperature depends on how many hydrogen molecules it contains. Fat molecules contain hydrogen atoms and a fat is "saturated" if it's holding the maximum possible. It's possible to saturate an unsaturated fat by adding hydrogen. That changes the oil from liquid to solid.

Now that description admittedly simplifies the situation, and the soybean oil is treated in different ways buy different manufactures, but all we need to know is the outcome: soy candle wax.

Pure soy wax is soft. this means it's great for making container candles but not so great for making pillars that need to stand on their own. You can compensate for that problem by blending soy wax with paraffin and hardening additives. If you do that, the resultant wax can be used for many more types of candles.

However, if you are going to use 100% soy wax you will probably get the best results if you use it to make container candles. You are probably familiar with container candles. These are candles in which the melted wax is poured into a nonflammable container with the wick positioned in the center. Other styles of candles are removed from the mold when the wax hardens. With container candles, the candle remains in its "mold".

Of course there is much more to learn about soy wax and how to use it. One the best places to get details on it is:

Soy Candle Wax

And of course if you're interested in soy candle wax you'll probably be interested in how to make a candle with. You can pick up some soy candle making tips at: How to Make Soy Candles.

Better yet, I suggest you take a look at the e-book Home Candle Making Made Easy.

That book reveals insider secrets on all aspects of candle making from selecting what type of wax to use for specific situations, what additives to use and when, the best way to scent candles, and so much more... Getting the information this book will guarantee your success.

Candle making is a wonderful hobby. Get Home Candle Making Made Easy today and get started.

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