Help with paraffin classification

[wilkas]

I'd like to start making candles and looking to acquire paraffin. In my country there is scarcity of candle supply shops, mostly offering very expensive soy wax and overseas shipping also is not an option. So I reviewed some chemicals shops and found few paraffins (melting point) offered for candles: T-1 (52-58 °C) , NS-1 (42 °C), NS-2 (42 °C), NS-3 (42°C).

My intention is NOT container candles. According to a book about candle making, paraffins of melting point of 54 °C or less are considered low melting point waxes suitable for container candles. Other general candles require paraffin with 55-63 °C medium melting point (or higher).

So I wonder if there is some class of paraffin with given melting point and what should I look for?


p.s. As another option I am considering purchasing discounted pillar candles and remelting them. Does this make sense?

 

[Hazel]

I've never used paraffin just by itself so I checked on the AHRE site to see what they had. I found paraffin pillar wax and it stated 144F which I think is about 62C so perhaps the T-1 would be best. I don't know for sure since I don't know the quality of the wax and you'll have to experiment. Here's the link to AHRE so you can read about the paraffin wax they have. http://rusticescentuals.com/Ky-143-Paraffin-Pillar-Wax.html

You also might like looking through their tutorial section. http://library.rusticescentuals.com/

You could also melt down pillar candles but I don't know how well they would hold any fragrance you would add. Wax will only hold an x amount of fragrance.

I wish I knew more to help you but I don't make candles...yet. I made some many years ago and then stopped. Now I've decided I'd like to try again. I don't want to send you to another forum but you'll find a lot more info on candlemaking on Peak's Crafter Server. http://www.craftserver.com/

 

[wilkas]

Thank you Hazel. Since post I've got some more information. Apparently this classification is based on oil content in paraffin. T-1 having not more than 1,8% (others have more). Best paraffin I've found in Lithuania is food grade P-2 (oil content not more than 0,8%).
Do you happen to know what oil content is in paraffin that candle makers usually use?

p.s. Thank you for the tip of another great resource.

 

[Hazel]

Sorry about that - I figured I might be a little late on replying. But I'm glad you found the info you needed.

No, I don't know about oil content so I googled. (I don't know how I survived before without Google. Oh yeah, I went to the library ). I found some sites which also might help with more info.

This may be what you want to know --> http://www.reedwax.com/candle.pdf

http://www.candlecauldron.com/waxandwicks.html (This helped me because I've been trying to find more info on wicks.)

http://www.candlewic.com/education/video-library/candle-wax-videos/page.aspx?id=1850
http://www.candlewic.com/education/education/page.aspx?id=1875

Please let me know if you need more info. I'll do what I can to help you. :grin:

 

[wilkas]

Thanks. Two first links contain brief and useful information - one that my candle making book ought to have :x

 

[Hazel]

You're welcome! :grin: