Tips and tricks for making candles with Cargill™ NatureWax™
Better candle waxes for a brighter world
For more than 25 years, Cargill pioneered the use of plant-based waxes in candles. Today, we supply some of the most well-known brands in the world.
With Cargill™ NatureWax™, you'll get so much more, including the finest wax derived from renewable, plant-based resources, deep technical expertise and industry-leading product solutions. Not to mention more people aglow over the smooth appearance, longer burn time and exceptional fragrance throw of your candles.
Watch & learn
In these videos we'll share how to create professional looking candles with tips from Cargill and our candle making experts.
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Get started with NatureWax
Step 1: Prep your wax
Heat your NatureWax soy flakes to 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celcius). This is the optimal pouring temperature to ensure beautiful, even candles.
Step 2: Blend in fragrance oil
If using fragrance, Cargill recommends a fragrance load (the percentage of fragrance added to the wax) of between 6 and 9 percent. For lighter scents, try blends at the higher end of that range. Pour the fragrance oil into your mixing container and slowly start to fold in the heated wax, mixing or stirring throughout the blending process to ensure the fragrance is bonded fully and completely to the wax. This can take about 5 minutes for a smaller batch of candles.
If you aren't getting the wax appearance you want, try lowering the fragrance load and test at different amounts to find the perfect combination. Or try to fold in the wax over a longer or shorter period of time. Remember, this is art, not science!
Step 3: Master the pouring curve
Temperature matters: The perfect pouring temperature depends on your room temperature. Here's a guide:
Room temperature 70-80 degrees F (21-27 degrees C): Pour at 155-170 degrees F (68-77 degrees C)
Room temperature 80-90 degrees F (27-32 degrees C): Lower pouring temperature by 5-10 degrees F (2-5 degrees C)
Room temperature 60-70 degrees F (16-21 degrees C): Increase pouring temperature by 5-10 degrees F (2-5 degrees C)
Consider Candle size: Larger candles take longer to cool, so adjust your pouring temperature accordingly. For example, pour a 4-inch candle at 155 degrees F and a 3-inch candle at 160 degrees F.
Humidity matters: if you can't control the humidity in your workspace, adjust your pouring temperature during testing to find the optimal point. Change the temperature by 5 degrees F at a time to isolate the effect.
Step 4: Select the right wick
Wick selection is important because if you don't get it right, you may see issues with burn time, flame height and fragrance throw. There are many different wicks to choose from. Consider the diameter of the candle, if you are using fragrance or not, and the type of wax you are using when selecting a wick. And test, test, test until you find the wick that's perfect for your candles.
Step 5: Preheat your containers
Put your containers in a warm bath of water to get them slightly above room temperature, but not hot. This helps prevent cracking and the wax pulling away from the container as it cools.
Step 6: Pour with confidence
Now you're ready to pour! Remember, this is just a starting point. Candle making is an art form with many different variables that impact the final candle, so experiment with different temperatures and test different techniques to find what works best for your candles.
Step 7: Let the candles cool
It usually takes at least 12 hours for candles to cure. Make sure the containers are spaced at least 2 inches apart to help them cool evenly. Also ensure that the ambient temperature and humidity of your room doesn't change during the cooling process. Cooling too fast or too slow can create problems with the appearance of the wax.