Different types of candle waxes can take longer to dry when making than others. The reason candles dry at different rates is because of the ingredients in each kind of candle wax. The ingredients and additives placed in candle waxes change the composition, smell, and more!
Depending on what you make a candle from, candle wax dries at different rates. Paraffin takes only 3-4 days to harden, whereas soy and beeswax take a whopping two weeks to harden. The difference in the time it takes to harden each candle wax varies significantly. Still, quick-hardening waxes like paraffin are not only bad for the environment but also low-quality too.
Quick dries with high-quality waxes like soy wax are possible, too, such as three-day dries. These quick dries will not produce the same quality throw as a candle after curing for two weeks.
How Long Does It Take for Candle Wax to Dry?
Candles can take anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks to fully cure, depending on the type of wax you use. Paraffin, the most common ingredient for commercial candle making, takes on average 3 days to solidify.
Every kind of candle wax takes a different amount of time to make. So, when creating candles, consider the amount of time you have available. Based on your schedule, you can choose a type of candle wax that works for you. For instance, someone who does not have a lot of time available might decide that an all-natural candle wax like beeswax does not fit their schedule.
Consider how the different methods you try may impact dry time in addition to the ingredients of your candle. Heat, moisture, and additives are only a few things that can majorly alter drying time.
Always take these things into account when calculating how long it will take your candles to cure. If you make an improper estimation as a seller, you can disappoint customers or end up with an overstock of goods if you make too many!
Why Is Candle Wax Curing Important?
While a candle is drying, it is curing the added fragrance oils and natural aromas to make your candle smell sweeter. Curing is an essential part of the candle-making process.
The drying time is when candles release the smells of any natural additives you put into your wax mixtures, such as dried orange peels or rose petals.
Ideally, a candle should cure for two weeks to develop smell and color throughout the whole candle. Candlemakers that do not allow their candles to cure do not achieve the hot throw.
A properly cured candle casts a hot throw which means the fragrance will smell even when the candle burns. Uncured candles tend to throw cold, which means they smell good cold but lose their aroma when lit.
To create a hot throw, candle makers must let their candles cure longer. Letting your candle dry is not just about hardening it. Good candles will be durable, and they will also smell great.
How Long Does It Take Paraffin Wax to Dry?
Paraffin candle wax hardens in an estimated 3 to 5 days which is the quickest drying time out of every candle wax.
The quick dry time of paraffin is because it has a 99°F melting point. A low melting point means that it has a quick drying time.
Paraffin is the most commonly used candle wax because of how cheap it is—the cheapness shows in its low quality. The semi-odorless wax can take on artificial smells easily.
It is best to purchase eco-friendly alternatives like soy wax. These environmentally conscious alternatives are safe for you, and they are better for the community.
To check the price and availability of Paraffin Wax, click here to view the listing on Amazon.
How Long Does It Take Beeswax Wax to Dry?
Every kind of beeswax candle will dry at a different rate because of the significant difference in beeswax composition. It is best to let your beeswax candle cure for at least one week before trying to burn it.
Letting your beeswax candle sit for at least seven days allows your candle to soak up its scents, additives, and colors. When you burn your candle, it will create a fantastic hot throw memorable to anyone who smells it!
Throughout a bee’s lifetime, its pollination patterns are sporadic. Because of this, each beeswax candle or batch of beeswax may produce different results. Keep this in mind as you are creating your beeswax candles and accommodate for any changes you notice.
To check the current price and availability of Beeswax, click here to view the selection on Amazon.
How Long Does It Take Soy Wax to Dry?
Soy wax candles should cure for at least one week before being used. The best results come from a two-week cure because this gives your candle ample time to soak up scents and additives.
The minimum amount of time that it takes for a soy wax candle to dry is three days. Do not use a candle made of soy wax until around the two-week mark to guarantee your candle casts a delightful hot throw.
The only aroma that a soy wax candle that has cured for three days would have is a cold throw. A cold throw is when a candle smells good unlit. For instance, smelling a delightful smelling candle at the store is an example of a candle with a cold throw. Candles that have not cured properly will have cold throws.
Letting your soy wax candle cure is important because of how environmentally friendly these soy candles are. The all-natural, renewable resource, soybeans, are what makes soy candles.
The renewability of soy wax makes using this candle-making process a fantastic, environmentally-friendly experience that green thumbs can especially enjoy!
To check the current price and availability of Soy Candle Wax, click here to view the selection on Amazon.
How Long Does It Take Coconut Wax to Dry?
There is no exact amount of time for coconut wax to dry because, typically, candle makers mix coconut wax with other wax bases. Many mixtures cause variations in the dry time. Since many mixtures can cause a change in the drying time of your coconut wax, you should always wait at least two weeks before burning candles made from coconut wax.
On average, a candle made from pure coconut wax takes around two weeks to dry because of its moderate melting point of roughly 109°F and slow burn.
The odorless wax combines with eco-friendly waxes like soy and beeswax. Because of its lack of odor, coconut wax can easily take on the smell of fragrance oil and other additives. Mixing coconut wax with other waxes can change the hardening time of the wax.
Does Melted Candle Wax Harden?
Melted candle waxes will entirely harden unless there was something wrong with the mixture.
Several things could be wrong with the mixture that is preventing the candle wax from hardening. Things that can occur wrong with your candle wax solution that prevent it from hardening include:
- Excess fragrance oils
- Temperature too high
- Burning the wax
- Expired wax
- Type of fragrance oil is incompatible with the type of wax
- Excess water
There are many other reasons why melted candle wax may not harden. Correcting these errors is simple. Just re-evaluate your candle-making process from start to finish to see if there is anything that you can change.
Take a look at the recipe you were following, your cooking tactics, and even the type of waxes you have been using. Try your best to identify what you did wrong and how you could have possibly led yourself to a melted candle disaster!
What Happens if You Put Too Much Fragrance Oil in a Candle?
A candle that has too much fragrance oil added will not harden properly.
Too much fragrance oil can offset your fragrance formula and prevent your candle from solidifying. Instead of turning solid, your candle will only partially harden or will remain completely mushy.
An excess in fragrance may also create an excess in moisture. In a clear jar or another kind of candle-making container, you can usually look along the side and see the squishy bubbles that come as a result of the fragrance oils trying to escape to the top of your mold.
To avoid potential candle-making failures, you must calculate your fragrance oil correctly before adding it to your mixture. Many people skip this critical step in candle-making until a major disaster happens.
Gathering all your materials before you begin working is very important to crafting a successful candle. So is measuring each ingredient precisely. Never “eye” an ingredient or something could go very, very wrong with your recipe!
You must also add your fragrance oil into your mixture at the appropriate time. Adding fragrance oil in at the wrong time can also result in failed candles. Candles with a fragrance oil added at the wrong time can be mushy or have no scent.
How Do You Permanently Harden Wax?
To permanently harden wax, you must melt purified wax and then pour it into your mold of choice. The wax will permanently harden after it has sat untouched in its mold for at least two weeks. If your wax is not hard after two weeks, there must be something wrong with your mixture.
Every kind of candle dries at a different rate, and some kinds of wax may harden in less than five days. Always leave your wax to sit for at least one week so it can harden and cure to its fullest potential. Still, the amount of time it takes will vary for every type of wax.
Two weeks is a threshold that all candle makers should abide by when curing their candles. This amount of time is perfect for letting your candles harden and letting the scents soak deep into your wax!
It is critical to factor in the amount of time you are willing to spend on your candle-making before beginning your candle-making process. Candle-making can be very lengthy and time-consuming. If you underestimate the amount of time it can take, you may end up with a half-completed project.
How Do You Harden Candle Wax?
Harden candle wax by letting it sit without moving it.
Keep all candle wax as still as possible while it is hardening. Choosing to move your candle wax while it is curing risks creates the risk of you creating bubbles or deforming the shape of any molds that you may be attempting to create. Avoid moving your candles altogether by pouring them on a flat surface, so there is no need to move them.
All candle wax will harden in different amounts of time, and therefore you will be able to use some candles sooner than others. Still, the recommended amount of time that you should let every candle sit for is two weeks without touching them.
Letting a candle sit and cure for at least two weeks will give it the proper time to spread its scent. Because your candle sat still for such a long time undisturbed, it will cast a hot glow that fills the room with its scent.
Final Thoughts
Candlemaking is an exciting process, and there is never a shortage of new recipes to try or molds to use! Experimenting will new types of candle wax is encouraged but keep in mind that every candle has a different melting point and may take a different amount of time to harden.
Typically, as a rule of thumb, leaving a candle untouched for two weeks is enough time for any candle to harden and cure.
When making candles, it is important to pay attention to the ingredients inside your candles. Some candle ingredients have a higher melting point than others. Depending on the type of wax you used, it may take longer for your candle to harden.
Consider making adjustments to your schedule based on the kind of wax you are using, the melting methods, and any additives in your candles.
The type of wax you use while making your candles can be a major factor in how long it takes for your candle to harden. Ingredients in your candles are important to know when determining how long to let your candles cure. When in doubt, let it sit for two weeks!