There are so many aspects to consider while making the perfect soy candles. This includes the ideal curing time before burning it. If you light up your candle too soon and you’ll most likely end up frustrated with the results.
Before burning, the ideal curing time for natural soy candles is 1-2 weeks. During this period, the candles should not be kept in excessive heat or light and should be covered with a lid. The minimum curing time is 3 days, but that is not advised as it may yield false results.
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While candles are no longer needed to light up our environment, we often find ourselves relaxing to their flicker. The process of candle-making is one that takes time, patience, precision, and dedication. The curing time is the most crucial and time-consuming one among those.
If you choose a soy-based candle, you do not have to worry about any health issues. Unlike most candles, soy candles do not use paraffin wax, which causes toxic fumes in some cases.
The curing process in candle making is where the wax and the fragrance oils incorporate and bind together. It takes the wax to set and the flavors or spices to find their place in a preferred way.
There are many things to consider while curing a candle. One of them is the temperature at which you infuse the wax with the flavors. Ideally, the temperature should be 180°F.
Once you do that, it is essential to slowly and continuously stir the wax for a minute or two to ensure that the oils blend into the wax properly.
The Importance of Timing in Candle Making
Much like other craft forms, Candle making requires patience and hard work. It also requires a little bit of science and an understanding of timing. Making the perfect candle cannot be done in a day, especially if you’re a beginner. This doesn’t mean it’s impossible. It would only be hard.
Much like any experiment, getting one right may take a few tries.
Candle making is not a one-step process; neither is it easy. There are many things to keep in mind, such as the type of wax, wick, and oils you want to infuse in it.
As discussed, one of the steps in the process of candle making that requires precise timing is curing. If you don’t cure your candles enough, they will not be as fragrant as you would like them to be.
Why is curing important?
Curing is the process of allowing the wax and fragrance to bind together and settle before burning the candle. This process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the type of soy wax used and the fragrance load. Curing allows the fragrance to fully develop and the wax to harden, which results in a better scent throw and longer burn time.
How to cure soy candles?
To cure soy candles, you should first let them cool and harden completely after pouring. Then, cover them with a lid or wrap them in plastic wrap to prevent dust and debris from settling on the surface. Store the candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Allow the candles to cure for at least 3-7 days before burning, but some types of soy wax may require up to 2 weeks of curing time.
How Long do Soy Candles Take to Set
As previously briefly discussed, curing is the process of letting the wax and the fragrant oils bind together and spreading them evenly before the wax sets. It should take soy candles about 1-2 weeks to set; in fact, most natural candles require that much time to set correctly.
The longer you let your soy candles cure for, the more scent they will release. This doesn’t mean you should let them cure for a long time. It only means that you should let them cure long enough so they can reach max potential.
How long should different types of soy candles cure?
The curing time for soy candles can vary depending on the type of soy wax used and the fragrance load. Here are some general guidelines:
- Container candles: 3-7 days
- Pillar candles: 7-14 days
- Tea light candles: 1-3 days
It is important to note that these are just general guidelines, and the curing time may vary depending on the specific type of soy wax and fragrance used.
Can you accelerate the curing/hardening time of soy candles
Some people try to speed up the process by freezing their candles or putting them in the refrigerator to cool down. This is wrong.
They may end up with a cracked candle as the natural cooling time (curing) is essential in candle making. By trying to speed it along, you’re risking failing at the texture, the fragrance, and the candle’s quality.
Do Soy Candles Have to Cure?
Yes! Every candle, whether it’s made with paraffin wax or natural wax, needs to be cured. The difference is that certain wax types require a specific curing time. The hard part is to know how long. In most cases, the easiest way to find out is to test. However, the answer is yes when it comes to whether soy candles need to cure. Curing is a necessary process.
NOTE: While soy candles need to be cured for longer, as compared to paraffin candles, soy candles do not come with paraffin candles’ harmful effects. Paraffin candles need 24-48 hours to be cured before they can burn, while natural candles like soy and coconut need 1-2 weeks.
How Soon After Making a Candle Can You Burn it?
For soy candles, the waiting period is between 1-2 weeks for the fragrant to be strong enough. This means that you can burn it sooner. However, you won’t have the best result.
If you don’t wait long enough, the candles will physically burn but will not have a strong scent. For example, when you buy a candle from a store, you don’t really know how long they’ve been cured.
They might have been cured for weeks or even months.
But the essential part is that they had enough curing time to reach their max potential.
What we understand from this is, is that we should never burn our candles too soon.
I would strongly recommend letting them cure for at least 2 weeks to be on the safe side.
What happens if You Burn Your Candle Too Soon?
If you burn your candle too soon, you’ll have a candle that burns. However, you’ll have one that has almost no scent.
If fragrant oils and wax cannot bond together properly in the first place, the separation of the molecules will not be fragrant either. So, all your efforts and time will go wasted, and you’ll just end up with a scentless candle. This also means you’ll have wasted the fragrance, which can be on the expensive side.
Does Curing Soy Wax Longer Give a Stronger Scent?
Soy wax is 100% natural wax and burns cleaner than paraffin wax. On the other hand, it does not have a strong scent throw in comparison to it.
While it takes only 24-48 hours to cure a paraffin candle, it takes 1-2 weeks to cure a soy candle because it needs an additional scent throw.
This allows the oils and the wax to bind together to give out a more fragrant smell and help the candle last longer.
Even the experts recommend curing your candle for an even longer period. The best soy candles are in their aroma. Even after the candle is set, the longer you keep it unlit, the stronger it will scent. Lit it up only once you finally enjoy the enticing aroma because of the time it takes to infuse with the fragrant oils.
Do you cure/harden soy candles with the Lids on or off?
There is a disadvantage in curing without covering your candles. Over time, a candle’s exquisite aroma can fade away if left uncovered. The fragrance oil within the wax is what gives your beloved scented candles their long-lasting scent – however, without its lid on top, even this outermost layer of fragrant wax will eventually dissipate and leave you with an unscented flicker in no time.
Tips for storing soy candles after curing
- Store soy candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
- Keep soy candles away from strong odors, as they can absorb other scents.
- Do not store soy candles for too long, as they may lose their scent over time.
Troubleshooting common issues when burning soy candles
- Frosting: Soy wax is prone to frosting, which looks like small snowflakes or crystals on the surface of the candle. This is a natural occurrence and does not affect the performance of the candle.
- Tunneling occurs when the candle burns down the center, leaving wax on the sides. To prevent tunneling, make sure to burn the candle long enough for the wax to melt all the way to the edges.
- Soot: Soy candles produce less soot than other types of candles, but they can still produce some soot if the wick is too long or the candle is burning in a drafty area. To prevent soot, trim the wick to 1/4 inch before each use and burn the candle in a still area.
To Sum Up
Patience is everything when it comes to making your own soy candles.
Even though making soy candles can be a little overwhelming, the utmost precision and time to make the perfect soy candle are still worth the try. Plan your ideal soothing date or a peaceful solace with yourself, and enhance the vibes with hand-made soy candles!
