Different Types of Candles

Over the centuries, candle waxes have been developed from a variety of fats, oils and waxy-like substances derived from animals, insects, plants and rocks.

Scientists consider “wax” to be a generic term for classifying materials that have the following characteristics:

• Solid at room temperature; liquid at higher temperatures
• Primarily hydrocarbon in structure
• Water repellent; insoluble in water
• Smooth texture; buffable under slight pressure
• Low toxicity; low reactivity
• Low odor

Waxes are widely used throughout the world for a range of applications, including packaging, coatings, cosmetics, foods, adhesives, inks, castings, crayons, chewing gum, polishes and, of course candles.

Types of Wax

In this part, we mainly talk about the real candles instead of flameless candles. 

• Paraffin is by far the most frequently used candle wax on a worldwide basis today. Beeswax is also used around the globe, although in significantly smaller quantities. Stearin candle wax is largely limited to European use. Soy wax, palm wax, gels, synthetic waxes, and synthesized waxes are also now used in candles, as are a variety of wax blends and customized wax formulations. 
• Soy wax is a 100% all-natural wax made from hydrogenated soybean oil that is available in several forms, including soy wax flakes. It is ideal for use in making container candles, including jarred candles, tins, votives, tealights, and tarts. Because there’s a difference between paraffin wax candles and soy wax candles in terms of their appearance and performance, you’ll want to learn the properties of each to help you decide which type of wax you want to use.
• Another type of 100% all-natural wax, palm wax is produced by hydrogenating palm oils. Palm waxes allow you to create candles with unique textures, since, in most cases, there is a crystallizing pattern (on pillars or containers) or feathering pattern (available on pillars) that forms on the candle’s surface. Palm wax is excellent for use with pillars, votives and tarts.
• Beeswax is another 100% all-natural wax. One of the best candle waxes on the market, beeswax can be used to make all types of candles, including pillars, tapers, votives and containers.
• Using Candlewic's Custom Blend Waxes eliminates the need to test blends and additives on your own and allows you to create better candles faster. All are Candlewic proprietary blends that are fully formulated to require no additional additives except for UV light stabilizers, which prevent fading.?
• Granulated wax is often used for crafting, because of its ease of use. There’s no need to melt the wax! It’s made from 140 melt-point paraffin that has been formed into little beads, so you can just pour granulated wax into a container and insert a wick!
• Offering the translucent quality of gelatin, gel candle wax isn’t actually wax at all. Instead, it’s made from mineral oil and a polymer resin. With gel candle wax and a clear glass container, you can make container candles you can see through and into! For added interest, you can make embedded-object gel candles, where you insert decorative, nonflammable items into the gel.

Types of Candles

1. FLAMELESS CANDLES

Easy to use around your home day and night, flameless candles help create a warm, worry-free atmosphere. Unlike traditional candles, flameless candles don’t give off any heat or smoke. Instead, they are battery-powered and designed to flicker in a way that mimics traditional candles. Flameless candles can be programmed to come on at any time of the day. For maximum comfort, use a remote control to easily turn them on and off from across the room.

2. TEA LIGHT CANDLES

Small and lightweight by design, tea light candles are extremely versatile. Generally speaking, they only burn for about two hours. That doesn’t mean you’ll run out of ways to use them anytime soon. Put one at each of your guest’s place settings at your next dinner party to create an intimate ambiance that won’t be forgotten. Sitting out on the porch at night? Sprinkle tea lights across the banister to create an inviting glow. You can also use them to accentuate your living room or den.

3. CANDLE POT

Like the name suggests, a candle pot is a candle that comes in a pot, jar or glass. Thanks to the way they’re designed, it’s incredibly easy to set up candle pots around your home or business. You don’t have to endlessly search for a candleholder or some other contraption to illuminate an area.

Adding several scented candle pots to a room is a surefire way to create an environment that’s both visually appealing and smells delicious. They are also perfect for those blissful moments unwinding in the bath.

4. VOTIVE CANDLES

Votive candles tend to be on the smaller side. Usually, they are about 2.5” high with a 2” diameter. They need to be placed in a container before they’re lit, so make sure you already have a votive holder on hand. Not only can they help brighten any room in the house, votive candles are smokeless and burn for a long time. When the candle burns to the bottom, the flame goes out on its own.

5. TAPER CANDLES

Taper candles are ageless. Whether you want to create a romantic vibe in the dining room or you want to add some character to your mantel, these candles are just what you’re looking for. Taper candles burn for as long as 10 hours, outlasting even the longest of meals. Taper candles can’t stand up on their own. So, make sure you have a taper candleholder before lighting them.

6. PILLAR CANDLES

Maybe you’re not interested in buying a candle holder, but you still want to improve the lighting for your next get-together. Go with pillar candles which can burn just fine without a holder. Pillar candles are long-burning and smokeless. On average, an inch of candle will take about an hour to burn. They come in all different sizes and with one, two or even three wicks! These larger standalone candles can help create an even more inviting atmosphere in any room of your home. Just be sure to put them on a flat, heat-resistant surface and keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t fall over.

Don’t be afraid to mix and match different types of candles to get the best results. With the right candles in place, your next dinner party or get-together is certain to be a hit!

Reference:

https://www.potterybarn.com/tips-and-ideas/6-types-of-candles-and-how-to-use-them/

https://www.candlewic.com/education/how-to-make-candles/choosing-the-right-candle-wax-for-making-candles