When first making candles you won’t know which wax burns the longest without a lot of trial and error. I thought it would be useful to have this information close to hand so I did some digging so find out what was the difference between candle waxes.
For the longest burning candle, 100% poured beeswax candles will burn the longest / slowest due to the hardness of the wax and the high temperature needed to melt the wax (149°F/65°C) but soy wax, made from hydrogenated soybean oil is a better choice as it is cheaper, burns almost as slowly as beeswax but has a lower melting point (120°F/49°C) making it a bit easier to work with.
Here is a comparison for a 4oz candle burn time with burn times from longest / slowest to shortest / fastest.
| Wax Type | Candle by weight | Average burn length (time) |
| Poured beeswax | 4oz | 29 hours |
| Soy wax | 4oz | 18 hours |
| Stearin | 4oz | 18 hours |
| Parrafin | 4oz | 15 hours |
| Rolled beeswax | 4oz | 14 hours |
These burn lengths can vary according to the dimensions of the candles. If you want to know a specific candle’s burn time then the chart above can shed some light, if not you may want to consider your own burn test to make sure.
Short and fat candles will generally burn slower than candles that are taller and thinner.
Rolled beeswax candles, for example, are thinner and have less wax so will generally burn faster than poured beeswax candles.
Most people want to make candles from wax that will last as long as possible. Sure, there are benefits to just using beeswax but there are also a few drawbacks too.
Let’s have a look at some of the wax types you can get, what the pros and cons are for each type and what you can do to extend the life of your candles so you end up with the longest burning candle.
You can also use this guide to help you gauge which wax melts last the longest but the actual burn rates may vary due to the wax being heated as opposed to burning.
Which Burns Longer Beeswax Or Soy Wax?
Beeswax candles burn longer than Soy candles. Soy’s density is higher(0.58), thereby making it burn faster and making them drip more easily. It is thought that a beeswax candle is naturally drip-proof but when you want to compare beeswax vs soy wax there are many factors to think about.
When making candles of quality you need to analyze the differences between the candle wax types. So beeswax vs soy candles, which is better? As mentioned beeswax burns longer but soy is often more readily available and is a little cheaper too.
So beeswax is easily burnable, generating light that resembles that of a light bulb seen at night. These materials are quite dense, especially when compared to soy, but they can burn long. Beeswax is the biggest prize for candles as they result in the longest-burning candles.
For a Long Burn Time Use Beeswax Candles
If you are just looking for the longest burn time then beeswax candles will definitely be the way to go but bear in mind the price of these candles can be quite high.
Also, you need to be extra vigilant that there are no additives and that the candle you choose when buying should be 100% pure with no additives listed on the product.
That said you are probably looking to make your own at some point. Making your own candles can be very rewarding whether you are intending to use them yourself or to spoil someone with a nice gift.
Beeswax had a very high melt point and the wax is quite hard. This makes for a very slow-burning robust candle but it also makes the manufacturing process a little more tricky as you need to use a stronger heat source to melt the wax.
It will also be tricky if you are adding color or fragrance to make a scented candle as you will also need to know the correct temperature usage for the ingredients so you don’t spoil your hard work.
Higher melting points mean longer burns usually but you need to take other factors into consideration:
Shortest Burn Time: Paraffin Candles
The humble paraffin candle has been used throughout most of our history. A standard single wick candle is extremely inexpensive and can last forever, especially when made into pillar candles.
The chemicals used in paraffin wax candles are toxic and are dangerous for your health. Despite these health risks, many types of candles such as container candles, tea lights, pillar candles, votives, and candles with a single wick as well as multiple wicks have a few different types of candle wax mixed together to decrease costs.
Approximate Burn Temperature in Fahrenheit
- Beeswax’s usual burn temperature 149°F/65°C
- Soy wax’s usual burn temperature 130°F/54°C
- Paraffin’s usual burn temperature 99°F/37°C
Other Factors to Consider
- Wax blend: Mixing different grades of wax as well as different wax types together will greatly change the burn rate
- Adulteration: Adding foreign substances like colors and perfumes will affect the performance of the candle
- Not caring for your candles: quick burns or leaving them in the wrong temperature room can affect their longevity. (See below for tips on getting longer burns out of your candles).
Medium Burn Time Use Soy Candles
Soy wax candles have a slightly softer wax than beeswax and are not quite as hard. This means the candle wax burns more rapidly than beeswax but not as fast as paraffin wax. So if soy wax does not last as long why do we use it if we want long burning candles?
Well, there are many benefits to choosing soy wax candles over beeswax.
Cost: Soy wax costs much less than beeswax so you get more bang for your buck but is that reason enough?
Eco friendly: Much cleaner and more eco friendly than paraffin so it’s a good middle ground when making a choice
Lower melting point: A lower melting point means it’s easier to make them at home. A lower melting point means you are less likely to overheat the wax and spoil any dyes or oils you may wish to add
Higher availability. It’s going to put a real downer on your project if you cannot get hold of the ingredients. Soy is widely produced so this ensures not only a good supply but a good price too.
Less harmful: Soy Candles do still actually contain a small amount of paraffin which is needed to aid in processing.
Home made is best: Interestingly a candle only needs to be 51% soy in some countries to be classed as pure so making them at home will guarantee you know exactly what is going into them and just how safe they will be. It would be upsetting to find your lovely soy candle is actually made from 40% paraffin and quite unhealthy to burn repeatedly in your home.
Shortest Burn Time: Paraffin Wax Candle
Paraffin wax candles have been around for as long as we can remember and for a good reason. They are super cheap to make and last forever. However, there are many toxic ingredients that are put into paraffin candles that are now known to be hazardous to your health. Here are a few of the ingredients which may find their way into your innocent-looking paraffin candle:
- Formaldehyde: Used for preserving dead bodies
- Toluene: A hydrocarbon found in coal tar and used as a solvent
- Benzene: Found in the emissions from leaded petrol and diesel vehicles
The main takeaway from this section is that paraffin candles are just not worth the savings you make in your pocket. Lighting one of these is like having a car running in your living room and you breathing in all those chemicals.
Is it possible to make candles last longer?
Learn the best ways to keep candle burns longer with these 5 tips. If anyone follows my Instagram feed then it’s no surprise I learned I am an avid candle enthusiast too. Some close friends have nicknamed me Candlemaker Guru.
How much do I like candles? Candles have similar fragrances as the finishing touch for personalization and comfort. I’ve never really liked smells but the size, shape, style, and ambiance are what enchants me most about scented candles.
Keep the wick trimmed
Usually Trim candles up to a quarter inches before they light up!! Trust me when it comes to candle trimmings – it will not cause you any trouble!
A wick trimmer is the best choice since it has a flat surface, allows for candle wick trimming to land outside the melted wax and its smaller size makes it a perfect container. Trimming your candle wicks is a must for good candle longevity.
Keep them covered
The candle should always remain sealed until it’s cool. When candles are exposed to air, they tend to lose their scent. Dust and other particles may settle into the candle wax. Use candles with lids! Keep candles in an insulated glass box for long periods.
Choose your candle wax type wisely
Candles are created with various kinds of wax materials even palm wax is now making its way onto the scene. All types have their own durations for burning. I will briefly mention coconut wax, this type of candle wax is becoming more common and popular for candle making but you still can’t beat a soy wax blend to get the most value for your money.
If you do decide to choose this type of candle wax then you will get long lasting candles as it tends to burn 10 to 15% slower than soy putting them closer to beeswax for a longer burn time.
Coconut wax is one of the most expensive waxes around though so you may need to factor this in when trying to extend your candle burn time.
Extending Your Candles Burn Time
So now you have chosen your wax and a ready to begin making. What else can you do to make your great creations last longer? Here are a few tips you can use to help increase the lifespan of your candles:
Proper first burn
Keep your candle lit properly for its initial burn. Let the wax melt until it almost reaches the outer rim of the candle. When it has done this extinguish the candle and let it set. This will create the baseline melt area for the rest of the candle
A pinch of salt
Sprinkle a small pinch of salt into the melted wax. This can help slow down future burns and will stretch the life of your candle
Tidy wick
Trimming the wick to a 1/4 inch length before use will not only keep the wax pool clear from debris, which makes it look ugly, and can add a second ignition point to your candle but will make your candle burn slower as the flame will be smaller and less hot.
Storage
Storing your candles away from heat and light will help keep them in their best condition for every occasion.
Avoid drafty areas
Keep your candle away from drafts wherever possible. It makes the candle flicker, which can be very annoying. It also makes the candle burn erratically which can shorten burn times.
Lying down
If you have long thin candles like those you may have at a dinner party. Keep them lying flat to stop them warping. A bent candle will not burn evenly and may not be as stable as a perfectly straight one.
If you are interested in making candles or other crafts then have a look at these articles below:
Profitable Candle Making Business: Can I Do It? Spoiler: Yes!
Make Big Money Recycling Cardboard Boxes (Thanks Amazon :o)
Make Money Recycling Aluminum Cans ($500+ A Week Easily)
Conclusion
Before jumping in and buying your ingredients to make your candles first think about what you will use them for and how long. How much is your budget? Can I use cheaper ingredients and still feel satisfied/happy with my results?
Once you have decided on these factors then you can go ahead and make the best candles for your needs. Happy making