Gel Wax Information
While many candle makers focus their attention on soy wax, palm wax, or
paraffin wax candles, others choose to make transparent gel wax candles
instead. Gel wax is used to make real-looking beverage candles like beer and
soda. Some candle makers create “works of art” by embedding items like
sand, glitter, glass embeds, wax embeds, and sea shells. In addition, other
candle makers use gel wax to create real-looking fruit pie candles. The use of
gel wax in these applications allows the entire candle to illuminate while
burning; which creates a “WOW” factor to your finished product.
So what is Gel Wax? Gel wax is a transparent, rubbery compound composed
of mineral oil and polymer resin.; capable of burning almost twice as long as
paraffin wax candles. The approximate percentage of these two elements is
95% mineral oil and 5% polymer resin. The mineral oil is too loose in its
original form, and that is where the polymer resin comes into play. This resin is
used to thicken the mineral oil to give it the clear, slow burning wax that we
know it as. The patent on gel wax and the gel wax process is actually owned by
Penreco. They refer to this wax as VersaGel. Natures Garden carries medium
density Penreco Versagel.
Melting Gel Wax is slightly different than any of the other paraffin or
soy waxes on the market. Unlike the afore mentioned waxes, there is
not a simple temperature that you are looking for that will liquefy the
wax, rather it slowly thins. You must be very careful in watching the
wax while it is on the heat source and stir frequently. This will be the
key to ensuring the proper melting process. As well, do not be
tempted to turn your heat source on a higher setting. Gel wax will not
melt quicker, it will just smoke more.
Gel wax is only to be used as a container wax. The gel itself is not
sturdy enough to stand alone like pillar wax is. If you are planning to
embed your Gel Wax candles, choose non-flammable items such as sea
glass, sand, glitter, sea shells, marbles, glass figurines, wax embeds.
Never use plastic embeds in your gel wax candles. Decorating your
gel wax candles with these embeds can produce beautiful artwork, but
remember to leave enough room for the gel wax! Don’t go too crazy
adding embeds or your candle will not burn.
Because Gel Wax is mainly composed of oil, you have to make sure
that the fragrance oils that you are using are soluble in it. Many
companies say that non-polar fragrances need to be used in gel wax.
However, it is chemically impossible to make fragrance oils non-polar.
All fragrance oils contain a mixture of ketones, aldehydes, esters,
resins, and essential oils. These fragrance oil components all have
some level of polarity; meaning that they are capable of oxidation.
Fragrance oils can be made gel wax compatible by adding isopar
solvents to lower the polarity; but they will still have some level of
polarity. Lowering the polarity will help make the fragrances miscible
in mineral oil. A mineral oil miscibility test is still required for each
fragrance you use in gel wax. To test for solubility: mix 1 part
fragrance to 3 parts food grade mineral oil. Shake and allow to set a
couple of minutes. Check to see if the fragrance thoroughly mixes
with the mineral oil. Now take 3 parts fragrance to 1 part mineral
oil. Shake and allow the mixture to set a couple of minutes. Check to
see if the fragrance thoroughly mixes with the mineral oil. If you see
any type of insolubility or cloudiness, the fragrance is not good to use
in gel wax candles.
In addition, the flashpoint of the fragrance oil must be at least 170
degrees Fahrenheit. This is due to the gel wax candle burning at a
much higher temperature than traditional waxes. If there is a big
enough difference in the flashpoint of Gel Wax, and that of your
fragrance oil, you will have an unstable overall flashpoint of the
blended product, which is unsafe.
If you are choosing to add depth or color to your Gel Wax candles,
liquid candle dyes are the best and only route to take. Although
powder dyes or color blocks can be used, they often clump, therefore
making it very difficult in attaining a uniform color throughout the
whole candle. Never use food coloring or water soluble soap dyes.
Selecting the right container for you Gel Wax candles is just like
selecting the container for traditional waxes. There are three main
laws to remember when doing this. First, the container must be
resistant to cracking. Obviously, you do not want to have a container
that cracks and makes for an unstable candle. The second is the
container must be able to take the heat from the flame and melted
wax. Lastly, the container cannot leak. As with any candle, there will
be a wet pool of wax, you do not want this hot liquid spilling out.
When it comes to selecting the appropriate wick for Gel Wax candles,
the rule of thumb is to wick one size up. In order to find the wick you
are looking for, you must measure the diameter of the opening on
your candle container. Once you have this information, you need to
select the appropriate Zinc Wick. Do not be tempted to purchase a
cotton wick. These wicks have a tendency to absorb too much gel
and this will extinguish them. From this point, it is just finding the
right wick according to your diameter and then selecting the next
bigger sized wick.
With all of the possibilities available for Gel Wax, many candle
crafters enjoy using this product. As long as you follow the safety
guidelines, imagination is the key to having brilliant Gel Wax
creations.
Another amazing factor that Gel Wax has is it is very forgiving. Any of
the physical attributes or scent problems that you are not happy with
are very easy to fix. It is literally as simple as remelting, repouring,
rescenting, or recoloring.
Always, always, always, make sure that the first burn of your new
candle is a memory burn. This is also something that you should
share with your customers. A memory burn is vital to establish a
clean wax free candle container when you are done.
In order to figure out the correct memory burn time for your
candle, you must know the diameter of the container. This is
the same information that you need to know for the wick
size. Once you have this data, for every inch that your
diameter is wide you need to calculate one hour. In essence,
if your diameter is 2 and ½ inches, your memory burn time is
2 and ½ hours. During this time your candle will reach a full
wet pool. The full wet pool is exactly what you need to have
the best quality burn and scent throw possible. If you do not
burn your candle using the memory burn method, then every
time you relight your candle you will get what you call a core
burn. A core burn is a wet pool that essentially only burns
around the wick. This burn will never give your candle the
full scenting ability that gel wax has to offer. Plus, when the
wick is completely gone, you will still have wax around the
container edges, and on the bottom.
There is also another consideration for Gel Wax candles that needs
to be noted. If a Gel Wax candle is set on its side, or placed upside
down, it will eventually start to pour out. It is very important to
consider this for two reasons, storage and shipping. Another key
factor to consider when burning a Gel Wax candle is not move it
while it is lit or cooling after being lit. The liquid gel is very hot and
will cause severe burns.
When you are in between burns of your Gel Wax candle, it is
advisable that you lid your container. Due to the nature of the Gel
Wax, the top layer will be sticky. By covering the candle, you will
prevent any dust, bugs, or debris that will stick to the top of your
candle.
Before reigniting your candle always trim your wick. Keep the wick
short, around ¼”, and keep yourself safe.
Never leave a burning Gel Wax candle unattended.
Keep all candles away from children and pets.