beeswax index
Natural beeswax is golden
in colour, stickier and has that lovely aroma. It comes in blocks
or honeycomb sheets. Melt 3 parts paraffin wax and 1 part
block beeswax for great container candles. I have also used this
mixture for moulded candles with good success, although they
don't come out of the mould as easily as straight paraffin wax
candles. Experiment with your ratio of beeswax to paraffin. For
candles where you tear away the mould (such as juice cans, milk
cartons) you can use a high concentration of beeswax, and not
worry about it releasing from the mould. Use beeswax sheets (no
melting required) to roll up into candles. Beeswax melt
point is 63 degrees C (146 Fah) Beeswax also
comes in beads. Pour the unmelted beads around a pre
stiffened wick centred in a container. Tamp the beads down,
then the candle is ready for burning. Check below for information
about getting natural beeswax from bee keepers!
Vegetable Waxes
Carnuba Wax
Koster Keunen
Vegetable wax exuded by the leaves of the Brazilian Carnauba
Palm.
Ceresine
Koster Keunen
Ceresine was originally derived from the refining and bleaching of mineral waxes. Today's Ceresine containes 55 to 90% paraffin waxes, the remainder being micos and other compounds compatible with the original blend. Properties will vary.
Koster Keunen takes a palm oil and a coconut waste product and
modify them with certain
other vegetable waxes to produce a wax which is all natural, much
less expensive than beeswax and has a burn quality higher than
paraffin, with other qualities desirable for a high quality
candle.
An Aside...
Here is a recipe you may find interesting. Its from the Country Woman's Association Cookbook (1956 edition) Its an Australian book of recipes and home keeping hints. "To 15 lbs of Mutton tallow (fat) add 1.25 lbs beeswax. Cut up wax and place with fat into water. Boil 1 hour in large saucepan. Allow it to get cold then cut out the cake of fat and scrape off the soft under part. Now make a weak lye of either ashes or soda. Cut up your fat and put it into this, and add to it .5 lb each of alum and saltpetre. Skim carefully while it is simmering. When cold, take it out of the water. It is now ready to be rendered down and poured into the candle moulds." I have never tried this myself, I find paraffin and beeswax much more convenient!