Candle Making Glossary
Back Fill / Topping Off
As a general rule, all waxes have some degree of shrinkage. As the candle sets up it will shrink around the middle, requiring a back fill or topping off to create a smooth surface.
Bayberry
Bayberry is a type of natural wax from the berries of the bayberry shrub. Not commonly in use due to the expense.
Beeswax
A natural wax made from the secretion of honeybees. Beeswax burns slowly and with a wonderful scent. It is often mixed with paraffin to create a more long lasting and affordable candle.
Burn Rate
Burn rate is the amount of wax that is consumed in one hour of burning. It is used to determine how well a wax and wick combination performs.
Cooling Bath
A cold water bath designed to speed up the setting process.
Cored Wick
These wicks have zinc, lead, paper or cotton in the center to provide rigidity and kept them erect. (Note: The use of lead cored wicks is decreasing due to health concerns.)
Flat Braid
A flat wick made of a three-strand braid. This type of wick comes in different sizes and is most often used for tapers and pillars.
Fully Refined Wax
Fully refined waxes have been through the maximum in refined process and are generally used to make pillars, votives and most non-container candles
Melting Point
The temperature needed to melt wax. This varies by the type of wax you are using. Note that there is a difference between melting temperature and pouring temperature.
Melt Pool
A term used to describe the diameter of liquid wax that occurs when the wick is burned.
Mottling
A textured surface on the candle caused by a fracturing of the wax. This is often done on purpose for a special effect.
Paraffin
Paraffin is a type of candle wax made from petroleum, or more accurately, as a by product of the petroleum refining process. The only kind of paraffin suitable for candle making is fully refined. (Forget the stuff from the grocery store!). Candle making paraffin is generally rated by melting point: low, medium, or high.
Pre-Wick Assembly
A pre-wick assembly is one cut to a specific length, and that has a wax coating and a metal base.
Scent Load
Scent load is the percentage of fragrance placed in the wax. Scent load varies from 1% to 10%. If using pure essential oils in your candles, the recommended scent load is 3%.
Soy Wax
Soy Wax is made from hydrogenated soybean oil. It is the latest trend in candle making waxes because it is biodegradable, projects less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and burns at a low rate. This low burn rate results in even burning and more fragrance distribution.
Square Braid
A wick of many strands that looks like a square with rounded corners. It is often used in beeswax candles, pillars, and novelty candles. Many think a square braid will stand up straighter and keep a flame centered in its candle.
Straight Paraffin
A standard wax used in candles that does not contain additives, such as stearic acid.
