Coconut wax candles are extremely popular and for good reason, coconut wax is one of the best types of wax to use for making candles. Not only is it all-natural, but they are well known for their smooth and creamy appearance and excellent scent throw.
For the most part, making coconut wax scented candles is not that much different than any other type of wax, but coconut wax does have its unique problems.
Let’s dive in and see what makes making coconut wax candles different.
Can you make 100% coconut wax candles? Coconut wax is extremely soft, you cannot use it on its own to create a solid candle; you will normally have to blend it with another wax, like soy, palm, or paraffin. So, you cannot make 100% coconut wax candles, but you can choose a commercial coconut wax with the highest coconut content.
Making Coconut Wax Candles
Benefits of Coconut Wax Candles
- Appearance– Coconut wax candles are amazingly beautiful. Their color range from pure white to cream and you will not need to dye the was in order to enhance aesthetics.
- Odorless– Even if you are not a great fan of how coconuts smell, you’ll not have to worry about your wax candles since they will be completely odorless. No trace of burning coconut!
- Excellent jar adhesion– Coconut wax candles have the greatest jar adhesion, and unlike beeswax or soy candles, you will not have to worry about pre-heating your jar.
- Slow-burning– Those candles burn really slow and provide owners with a powerful scent that can last for hours.
- Easy to use– Coconut wax candles don’t have any frosting or bloom and exhibit soft tops at any pouring temperature. You will not have to worry about doing re-pours even if the tops appear a bit uneven.
- Environmentally friendly- In comparison to other types of candles, coconut wax candles burn the cleanest. They emit almost zero soot particles and they do not add carcinogens into the air you breathe.
- Perfect for essential oils– Since coconut wax candles burn much cooler compared to other waxes, they can be the ideal companion for making candles with essential oils or natural fragrance oils.
Coconut Candle Making Equipment Needed
- A clean pot
- A thermometer
- A double boiler
- Candle wicks and wick holders
- Straws, clothespins, or chopsticks
- A long spout pouring jug
- Double-sided tape
Coconut Candle Making Supplies Needed
- Coconut candle wax
- Fragrance oils
- Isopropyl alcohol (in a spray bottle)
- Parchment paper or newspaper
- A butter knife and a pair of scissors
- Silicon or wooden spoon
Best fragrance oils for coconut wax candles
- Tropical fruit-inspired fragrance oils (including pineapple, coconut cream, mango, and pear)
- Bergamot nectar, rose and tonka nut
- Florals, citruses, and woods
- Sandalwood and cedarwood
How To Make Coconut Wax Candles Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Gather your supplies and necessary equipment
Before you start making coconut wax candles, it is vital that you have gathered all the necessary supplies and equipment listed above. In order to melt the wax, you will need a pot with a solid bottom and a side pourer.
You will also, need to get some candle wicks and stick them to the bottom of the jar with the help of some double-sided tape.
Make sure the tape isn’t larger than the wick, as this may increase the risk of accidental fire. In order to ensure good adhesion, press down with the use of a butter knife.
You will normally need 3-4 pieces about 6 inches long, but you should preferably have at least one extra wick nearby in case you make more wax than you first thought.
Step 2: Melt the wax and add fragrance oils
Before you start the whole melting process, you should apply some newspapers to catch any spills. Open the jars and after you have placed the centered wicks under them, place them on top of the paper, as well.
Melt the wax very slowly, and stir it regularly to help it melt. The heat range should be between 65-75 degrees Celcius.
When the was is melted, use a thermometer to ensure that wax temperature is somewhere between 48-52 degrees Celcius.
Add your chosen fragrance oils carefully and mix well to make sure the fragrance goes through all the wax. Fragrance oils should hold about 8-10% of the total wax weight.
Step 3: Pour the wax into the jar
Use a thermometer to ensure that the temperature of your wax is currently between 40 and 46 degrees Celcius. Carefully pour the melted wax into the jar without letting it spill or splash.
For better results, first, pour until the jar is almost 80% full, let it cool until it seems semi-solid, and then complete the final pour.
At the end of the pour, there should be at least a 1/2-inch of space at the top of the jar.
Step 4: Wait until the wax gets solid
Coconut wax will start to harden right away so you should avoid moving the jar until it has set solid. As the candle becomes to get solid, you will notice that the wax becomes white in color.
In most cases, you should leave the candle intact for at least 3-4 hours. Ideally, trim the wick 6 hours later to make sure it will not disturb the top of the candle.
In order to trim the wick, use a pair of scissors and try trimming it about 1.5 cm above the level of the wax. That way, you will leave just enough space to light the candles afterward.
Avoid trimming the wick any shorter than this, because it will result in a smaller flame. However, should you notice that when you light the candle, it’s flickering or smoking, you may probably need to trim the wick a bit more and re-light the candle afterward.
Step 5: Enjoy your new candles and embellish the jars
After you have actually made your coconut wax candles, it is vital that you allow some time for the candle fragrances to cure before burning.
Although the amount of time needed is not specific and depends on the type of fragrances used, typically 2-3 days should be a good period of time.
If the jars you chose have lids, you could try adding some decorative stones or gems to fully personalize your candles. During the first burn, keep your candle lit for at least 3 hours or until the entire surface has melted.
Frequently Asked Questions
You cannot use pure coconut wax for making candles. The melting point of pure coconut wax is too low. In addition, nearly every type of coconut wax available for purchase is a blend. This means the available coconut waxes already have a mix of soy wax, paraffin wax, or beeswax in them.
Coconut wax is hydrogenated coconut oil. Hydrogenation is adding hydrogen atoms to substances containing double bonds, making them more solid at room temperatures. This is how most all-natural waxes are made. However, even after hydrogenation, coconut wax is very soft.
It is possible to overheat coconut wax. You should not heat your coconut wax beyond 200 F. Taking your coconut wax beyond 200 F has no benefit to the candle-making process.
Fragrance should be added to coconut wax between 175 F and 185 F. This is so that the fragrance oil and wax have a better chance to blend and bond with each other. Coconut wax is on the softer side of other semi-solid candle waxes and can use additional help blending the wax and fragrance oil.
You can add 1 oz to 1.6 oz of fragrance oil per pound of wax. Fragrance oil loads for coconut wax go up to 11%, however, it is suggested that you use no more than a 10% fragrance oil load.
Conclusion
In conclusion, coconut wax candles are a great choice when making scented candles. However, coconut wax candles are not 100% coconut wax. They are almost always a blend of some type or another.
In addition, coconut wax candles may not be ideal for shipping during the summer months due to their fairly low melt points. Coconut wax candles melt at lower temperatures than nearly every other type of candle.
The one option you have to combat this problem is to blend your coconut wax with other wax types. Blends of soy wax, paraffin, palm, and beeswax can all raise the melting point. However, palm and soy are your best options if you want to stay all-natural and vegan.