Which paraffin wax is best for candle making?
Robert Miller
Published Feb 14, 2026
Which paraffin wax is best for candle making?
As of this writing, the most popular paraffin waxes are probably IGI 4627 and IGI 4630 for container candles. If you don’t know where to start with container candles and you’re interested in using paraffin, IGI 4627 is a good recommendation.
Can paraffin wax be used for making candles?
Paraffin wax—a very inexpensive wax—is most widely used across candle brands, says Fitchl, because it can hold a high amount of fragrance and color. It also comes in various melt points, making it suitable for making many different types of candles, from containers to pillars.
How many candles will 1kg of paraffin wax make?
6 candles
The first thing to remember is that 1kg is the equivalent of 1000g of wax. When using 20cl candle glasses, 1kg of wax will make a total of 6 candles. Around 166.66g of candle wax will be used per candle.
How expensive is paraffin wax?
Paraffin wax refills for at-home systems typically cost about $3 to $6 per pound, or slightly less if bought in bulk. Scented paraffin typically costs more than unscented.
Why is paraffin wax bad?
Most candles today are made of paraffin wax which creates highly toxic benzene and toluene when burned (both are known carcinogens). In fact, the toxins released from paraffin candles are the same as those found in diesel fuel fumes and are linked to asthma and lung cancer.
How do you know if a candle is paraffin?
Look at the color of the candle if it has not been colored. If the candle is white with a slightly translucent appearance, it is likely paraffin wax. If it is an even, opaque white with no translucence, it has likely been colored and whether it is paraffin wax will not be apparent from the color alone.
Why paraffin wax is bad?
Is paraffin or soy wax better?
Soy wax contains nothing artificial, which makes it a better alternative to old-fashioned paraffin wax, which is made from petroleum oil and produces harmful by-products when burned or melted. Soy wax is non-toxic making it better both for the environment and your health!
Is candle wax the same as paraffin wax?
Paraffin wax refers to wax derived from coal, petroleum or oil shale. On the other hand, candle wax refers to a form of wax that is used to make candles. The main difference, however, is that paraffin is derived from coal, petroleum or oil shale while candle wax is derived from any type of wax.
Why is paraffin wax cheap?
Paraffin Wax This wax is a by-product of refined crude oil. A chemical process produces this oil-based petroleum by-product that is easily available and very cheap.
Is soy wax better than paraffin?
Soy wax is a vegetable wax derived from – you guessed it – soybeans. Soy wax also burns slower than paraffin wax, meaning you’ll get a candle that lasts longer. And while all candles emit some black soot while burning, soy wax burns cleaner and results in less soot than paraffin.
Are Yankee candles paraffin?
Yankee candles are made from paraffin wax, as well as essential oils for fragrance and cotton for the wicks.