Making customized candles is one of life’s greatest joys. There are almost too many options when selecting candle wax for your silicone molds! With so many choices, it can be overwhelming to figure out which type of wax will give you the best results, good scents, and brightest colors.
If you are a beginner, the best candle wax for silicone molds is paraffin wax because it is the cheapest and easiest to work with. However, if you are looking for the most eco-friendly one, then soy wax is.
Which one is for you? Let’s learn!
Silicone Molds and Candle Making
Silicone molds are an excellent tool for candle making because they’re easy to use and versatile. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes so that you can make candles in different shapes and sizes.
One of the best things about silicone molds for candle making is that they’re non-stick, so you don’t have to worry about the wax sticking to the mold or being difficult to remove. This makes the candle-making process a lot less frustrating and messy.
Best Candle Wax for Silicone Molds
Paraffin Wax
Paraffin wax is the most commonly used type of candle wax because:
- It’s cheap and easy to work with.
- It has a high melting point, which means it will hold its shape well and not melt too quickly.
- It is commonly used in different types of candles due to its wide melting point range.
- It also has good scent retention, holding fragrance oils well.
- Paraffin wax is easy to clean and remove from silicone molds, so it’s a great option if you start candle making.
- It burns cleanly and evenly, which means less soot and a longer burn time.
- Paraffin wax is versatile; you can add color and scent to make different variations of candles. Also, you can use different wick sizes depending on the size of your candle.
However, it has several disadvantages:
- It can produce soot when burning, which can be a bit of a mess if not appropriately contained in larger containers like jars or tins.
- It also doesn’t hold fragrance or other types of waxes.
Soy Wax
Soy wax has become increasingly popular in recent years due to several reasons:
- It’s environmentally friendly qualities since it is made from hydrogenated soybean oil.
- It has a low melting point, meaning soy candles melt evenly and don’t emit harmful toxins like paraffin-based candles.
- It can hold fragrance better than paraffin and its natural flame retardant properties.
- Soy wax also burns longer than other waxes, making it ideal if you plan on selling your products commercially or want your candles to last longer.
The downside of soy wax are:
- It’s not as easy to work with as some other types of wax, so beginners may find it tricky when first starting out
- It doesn’t hold scents very well and doesn’t throw an aroma well, either.
- It’s too soft to produce functional pillars and other molded candles effectively.
- It doesn’t take colors too well.
Which One is the Best for You?
- Paraffin wax is a lot more cost-effective than most waxes on the market.
- Due to its capacity to hold fragrances, paraffin wax is highly suitable for making scented candles.
- It is ideal for various candles, namely pillars, containers, tealights, and votives.
- You can also produce a range of colorful candles.
If you are an expert that wants to make quality homemade candles at home, choose soy wax because:
- It is arguably the most eco-friendly wax on the market.
- It has a much slower burn time than paraffin which makes it last longer. It is recommended for people with fragrance allergies.
How to Use Silicone Molds for Candle Making
Using a silicone mold is the simplest way to make candles, requiring minimal materials and effort. All you need to do is melt your wax, pour it into the molds, and let them cool and set.
Here are the steps:
- Preparing the molds: Clean and dry the molds before use.
- Melting the wax: Use a double boiler or a wax melter to melt the wax.
- Pouring the wax: Carefully pour the melted wax into the mold, leaving a little bit of room at the top to allow for slight shrinkage as the wax cools.
- Cooling and removing the candle: Allow the wax to cool and solidify entirely before removing the candle from the mold.
- Cleaning the molds: Clean the molds with warm soapy water or rubbing alcohol to remove any leftover wax residue.
Other Types of Wax for Candle Making
Apart from paraffin and soy wax, there are also other types of wax that you can use for candle makings, such as beeswax, palm wax, and granulated wax.
Beeswax
Beeswax is one of the more luxurious types of candle wax out there due to its natural, honey-like scent that adds an extra element to a candle’s aroma.
It’s naturally hypoallergenic, non-toxic, and biodegradable – meaning that it won’t harm the environment even after being discarded in landfills – which makes it perfect for those who are conscious about their environmental footprint.
Beeswax is also relatively easy to work with compared to other waxes. However, it does need quite a bit of preparation before being poured into molds – including bleaching the pellets before melting them down!
Palm Wax
Candle makers are increasingly selecting palm wax for their creations due to its sustainability and renewable nature. This wax is extracted from the oil palm fruit’s oil, making it a much more environmentally friendly choice than traditional paraffin-based candles.
One of the main advantages of palm wax is that it produces a beautiful, unique crystalline pattern on the candle’s surface, which can make for a fascinating and eye-catching design. It also has a high melting point, so it will hold its shape well and not melt too quickly.
However, it’s worth noting that palm wax can be trickier than other waxes. Due to its high melting point, it can be difficult to pour into molds and demanding to clean up and removal from them.
Another thing to consider is that palm wax may not hold fragrance oils as well as some other types of waxes, so if you’re planning on adding scent to your candles, you may want to use a different kind of wax.
Granulated Wax
Granulated wax, also known as flake or pellet wax, has been processed into small pellets or flakes, making it easy to measure and pour.
Granulated wax is ideal for candle-making because it’s incredibly simple to measure the perfect amount of wax each time.
An added benefit of granulated wax over a block is it’s faster and more even melting time, allowing for simpler pouring into molds with fewer air bubbles.
It may not be suitable for all types of candle making, like container candles or those with unique shapes.
FAQs
What are silicone molds?
Silicone molds are kitchen tools used to create shapes out of food. They come in various shapes and sizes and can be used for everything from pancakes to Jell-O.
Many people also use silicone molds for baking because the material distributes heat evenly, which results in a more consistent texture. And since they’re dishwasher safe, they’re also easy to clean!
What are some benefits of using silicone molds?
- Silicone molds are non-stick, so they’re effortless to use. You can pop your food out of the mold after it’s cooked, and there’s no need for extra oils or cooking sprays.
- They’re also effortless to clean. Just a quick rinse under some warm water is usually enough to make them look like new again. Most importantly, silicone molds are safe to use. They’re heat resistant up to 446 degrees Fahrenheit so you can use them in the oven, microwave, or even on the stovetop.
What types of things can be made with silicone molds?
There are so many different things that can be made with silicone molds! Here are five of our favorites:
- Chocolate: Silicone molds make the perfect chocolate mold because they are non-stick and heat-resistant.
- Soap: Melt down some soap base and pour it into your silicone mold to create custom soaps in any shape or color you want!
- Jello: Pour your favorite gelatin flavors into silicone molds for a fun and festive treat!
- Candles: Melt down some wax and pour it into your silicone mold to create beautiful candles in any scent or color you desire.
- Ice cubes: freeze water or juice in your silicone mold to create fun ice cubes
Can silicone molds be used to make food items?
Yes, silicone molds can be used to make food items. They are often used to make baked goods such as cakes and cupcakes.
How do I care for my silicone molds?
To care for your silicone molds, wash them in the dishwasher or hand wash them with soap and water.
You should avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners on them, as this could damage the silicone material.
