While paraffin and beeswax candles have been the popular candle of choice for many candle makers, you may not have heard or yet experimented with soy-based candles. While there is not a huge difference in the way these types of candles are made and scented, there is, however, an entirely different way that they burn.

While paraffin candles predominantly dominate the candle market, the downside is that they, often times, burn/melt too fast. While beeswax candles burn longer, they can be much more expensive and more difficult to make in mass quantity. So, if you’re looking for a solution or just a new candle-making experiment—try creating a batch of soy candles and see for yourself how easy, inexpensive and slow-burning soy-based candles can be.

Most vegetable/soy-based candles actually burn slower and cooler than paraffin candles and may last longer. To maximize the burn time you can add in a bit of beeswax, which will harden the mold and ultimately assist in improving the length of time the candle burns. Not to mention, it’ll also helps to hold the scent until the end of the jar. 

Burn your votives in a thin tight glass votive holder.  The reason for this is that when the top half of the candle liquefies as it is burning the wax will not be able to spread out.  If the votive holder is too wide and there is a lot of space between the candle and the votive holder, the candle wax will slip down through that space and the candle will stop burning sooner than it needs to.

If you’re looking to optimize burn time of soy-based candles even more, try using votive holders.  While, soy and beeswax mixed hybrid candles do burn longer they may liquefy more quickly than most paraffin candles.  If you use votive holders, it’ll prevent the liquefied wax from excessive dripping. In addition, if you choose to use votive holders, make sure not to use holders that are made from very thick glass or have metal on them.  The thick glass or metal will become too hot and this will affect the way the vegetable and/or soy candle burns.