It’s important to know when to add fragrance to soy candles. You can’t just melt the soy wax and dump the fragrance oil in. So many people watch a quick Youtube video on making soy candles, or any candle making for that matter, and the video doesn’t go into any detail on the proper way to do things. Then you have people just throwing candles together and thinking it’s good enough because they don’t know any better. With soy wax, it’s especially important to get the right fragrance oils and to know when to add the fragrance to the soy wax. Soy wax tends to have a harder time with fragrance throw when burning. You have to test your soy candles to find out which fragrance oils are best, how much to use and make sure you add them at the right temperature.
What Temperature Should You Add Fragrance to Soy Candle Wax?
Adding fragrance to your soy candle wax depends on what kind of wax you are using and what brand. Usually with 100% soy wax you want to melt your soy candle wax to 185 degrees and then add your fragrance oil at 175-185. This ensures that the oil mixes well with the wax. If you add it too cool, it will not incorporate with the wax very well. Heating your soy wax too hot can cause it to discolor which is not good if you are using no dye. It could also cause the soy candle not burn well.
With soy votive, soy pillar and soy tart wax blends, you want to melt your wax to 195-200 degrees and then let it cool down to 180-185 to add your fragrance oil. Then you will usually pour the soy wax into the molds at around 160-175 F. Soy votive/pillar/tart wax has natural additives that make the wax harder so they can stand on their own, like pillar candles do. This is why you need to melt the wax at a hotter temperature.
Type of Soy Wax Determines When to Add Fragrance Oil
Different soy wax manufacturers may have different instructions, so follow those first if they differ from what I’ve told you. If that doesn’t work well, then try the above temps to add your fragrance oil. There are many different types of soy wax and they also may have different temperatures to heat them up to so make sure to follow those instructions.
Knowing when to add fragrance to soy candles is an important step in the process of candle making.
Questions? Feel free to ask!
Last night I made a candle and I have yet to light it in hopes that the scent will set the longer I leave it, but I smelled it this morning and it has NO cold scent throw. I realize I haven’t lit it yet so that could make all of the difference but I am getting frustrated with all the experimentation and really just want to make a good candle for once lol.
I added the fragrance in right around 180 degrees F and used just under a half oz of CandleWic’s Balsam scent for an 8oz candle and because it wasn’t a full half oz. I added in like 8 drops of some Sage essential oil in order to compensate. Also, the wax I used was from CandleWic it was the Soy 125 Wax…
Please help me. Is it just that CandleWic does not sell good products?? I am hoping to not continue spending money just to make dud candles.
I have some supplies coming in from Lone Star Candle Co. and they should arrive on Thursday, do you think I will have better luck with that company’s products?
Okay, I have now lit it. It gives a very faint hot scent throw… Any suggestions to make it stronger?
1oz fragrance to 1 pound of wax is what most sites say for soy wax. And try waiting a little lower temperature before adding fragrance you can add color at a high temp but try waiting at least 160 to 130 for fragrance it will stay in candles longer rather than being burned off while cooling.
Jami, I am not sure about CandleWic products. I haven’t ordered from them yet, and I’ve heard that Lone Star’s oils aren’t necessarily that great, and I’ve never tried the Soy 125 wax. What size wick are you using and are you getting a good melt pool when burning? Have you tried some other fragrances by now and found any that are working for you?
hello! I am new to candle making and i ordered ecosoya advanced container wax. I also ordered fragrance with good soy ratings. i ahve followed your instructions (which are basically the same as they suggest) and havent had any luck with hot throw. cold throw is fantastic. i heard that curing can make a difference. Is this my mistake? please help!
Holly, yes, curing can make a difference. How long did you let them sit before lighting? What fragrance did you use and where did you order it from, and how much (probably about 1oz I’m assuming, since you said you followed my instructions). How deep is your melt pool and did it melt pretty much to the edge of the container?
Thank you for your response! I order from candle science and have only ordered fragrance oils with high soy ratings. My first candle I let sit for 24hrs, my second, 48hrs and I have two more curing that I added fo at a high temp and also a low temp that have been curing for 5 days now. So far I am only testing one fragrance -banana bread 1-1 1/2 oz per lb.
melt pool is 1/2inch in glass jars. Yes melted right to the edges. The wicks seem to work well. I recently read that “baked good” fragrances just don’t throw as well. Is this true? Should I wait a couple more days to light my candles that have been curing for 5days?
Also, should I worry about flash points?
I’ve done some research on that, and from what I found, the flashpoint really isn’t a concern except in gel candles and for shipping by air. Here’s what Candlescience says about it: http://support.candlescience.com/hc/en-us/articles/201390030-What-does-the-fragrance-flashpoint-mean-
Sounds like you’ve got things covered as far as testing. It’s true that baked goods can tend to have a weaker throw, and Banana nut bread is one that I’ve had a hard time with. I didn’t get it from Candlescience, but I imagine it may be just a weaker throw where ever you get it. A couple more days wouldn’t hurt, though 5 days cure time should be plenty. It is possible that this fragrance just needs to cure longer. I would love to hear how it goes with the longer cure time once you light them. I will have to do some in depth testing with baked goods fragrances myself now! lol Have you tried having another person give their opinion on the throw? Sometimes we just are too close to the situation and our noses aren’t as sensitive to it, especially after smelling it while making them.
Flashpoint to add Essential Oil to soy wax.
I have made a citrus blend of various essential oils and caculated an average of all the flashpoints = 115-130. So if I were to add at 180f it would likely burn off the fragrance and significantly affect the hot scent throw.
Therefore based my blend flashpoint should I add the fragrance at 130f and stir for 2mins. Which means the pour temperature will likely be around 120-125f.
But there seems to be conflicting data saying if the fragrance is not added at 180f it is then not hot enough to bind with the wax.
I am really getting confused and before I put it to the test I would love to gain your feedback.
Thanks
Your “The Soy Candle Book” states to warm soy wax to 170-180 degrees F and to add fragrance oil at 140 degrees F (when making soy candles in containers). Just curious to which temperature recommendations are your most recent suggestion? Thanks so much!