What you need to know about Gel Wax For Candle Making

Gel candle wax offers a unique and captivating way to create stunning candles with a transparent and luminous appearance. Unlike traditional waxes, gel wax is made from a combination of mineral oil and polymer resin, resulting in a gel-like substance that allows for endless creative possibilities.

This candle wax is one of my most fun wax to work with when making candles. I love using this wax type with transparent jars. Then I would use a paraffin wax as a base and a harder wax type (i.e. a pillar/pillar blend) with fun silicone shapes and embed them into the gel wax. This creates unique looking candles similar to snow globes!

If you’re looking to get into candle making as a hobby or potentially as a business, it’s important to understand the types of wax options out there. Many people purchase wax in bulk, add a wick to a container, and pour, and think that is all there is to candle making. But it is more of a science than you think. There are scent throws, fragrances, and wick widths and burn rates that all need to be taken into consideration when selecting your candle wax.

In this comprehensive guide I put together, I’ll delve into the properties of gel wax, explore its benefits, discuss its potential drawbacks, and provide insights into when and how to use paraffin candles for the best results.

Overview of Gel Wax

Gel wax is a translucent and pliable substance composed of mineral oil and polymer resin. It has a clear or slightly yellowish appearance, creating a beautiful and captivating effect when used for candle making. The polymer resin in gel wax provides its unique gel-like consistency. It offers a distinct advantage over traditional waxes due to its transparency and ability to hold decorative elements, making it ideal for creating visually striking candles.

Benefits of Gel Wax

Transparency: Gel wax offers exceptional clarity, allowing for beautiful visual effects in candles. It creates a stunning and mesmerizing display as the flame flickers through the gel, making it ideal for decorative and ornamental candles.

Versatility in Design: Gel wax is highly versatile and enables the incorporation of various elements such as embeds, decorative objects, or colored dyes. These design possibilities allow for personalized and imaginative candle creations.

Longer Burn Time: Gel wax has a slower burn rate compared to traditional waxes. This means that gel candles generally have a longer burning duration, allowing you to enjoy their enchanting glow for extended periods.

Stability: Gel wax is inherently more stable and less likely to melt or deform in higher temperatures, making it suitable for outdoor or warmer environments.

Not quite sure which type of candle wax to use? Check out my comprehensive guide on the types of wax out there and which is best for your needs.

How and when to use Gel Wax

Gel wax is particularly suitable for certain candle designs and occasions. Here are some instances where gel wax can be used effectively:

Decorative Candles: The transparent nature of gel wax allows for the incorporation of various decorative elements, such as seashells, marbles, beads, or botanicals. This makes gel wax perfect for creating themed or personalized candles for special occasions like weddings, parties, or home decor.

Embeds and Suspended Objects: Gel wax provides a unique opportunity to embed objects within the candle. You can suspend objects like charms, figurines, or flowers in the gel, creating stunning visual effects when the candle is lit.

Novelty Candles: Gel wax lends itself well to creating novelty or specialty candles. You can experiment with different shapes, colors, and textures to make gel candles in the form of fruits, drinks, or other imaginative designs.

Choosing the Right Gel Wax:

• Select high-quality gel wax from reputable suppliers to ensure good performance and clarity.
• Consider the density of the gel wax, as it can vary. Thicker gel wax is more suitable for suspending heavier objects, while thinner gel wax allows for better scent diffusion.

Container Selection:

• Use heat-resistant glass containers specifically designed for gel candles. These containers should be able to withstand the higher temperatures generated by the gel wax.

Adding Decorative Elements:

• Before pouring the gel wax, arrange your chosen decorative elements at the bottom of the container. You can position them in layers or in a single layer depending on your desired effect.
• Avoid using flammable or water-sensitive materials as embeds.

Wick Selection:

• Choose the appropriate wick size based on the diameter and depth of your container. Zinc or cotton core wicks are commonly used for gel candles.
• Consider using wicks with a higher heat tolerance due to the higher temperatures generated by the gel wax.

Fragrance Selection:

• Opt for fragrance oils specifically formulated for gel wax to ensure optimal scent throw and compatibility.
• Experiment with different fragrance concentrations to achieve the desired aroma intensity, keeping in mind that gel candles may have a slightly milder scent throw compared to traditional wax candles.

Layering and Coloring:

• Create visual interest by layering different colors of gel wax. Pour the gel in stages, allowing each layer to cool and solidify before adding the next layer.
• Use liquid or powdered dyes specifically designed for gel wax to achieve vibrant and consistent coloring.

Safety Considerations:

• Gel wax can burn hotter than traditional waxes, so ensure proper ventilation and keep flammable objects away from burning gel candles.
• Never leave a burning gel candle unattended and place it on a heat-resistant surface.

Enhancing Safety and Longevity:

• Trim the wick to ¼ inch before each use to prevent excessive smoke and soot.
• Store gel candles in a cool place away from direct sunlight to prevent melting or deformation.
• Regularly inspect gel candles for any signs of damage or excessive evaporation.

Potential Drawbacks of Gel Wax

Fragrance Diffusion: Gel wax has a different structure than traditional waxes, which can affect fragrance diffusion. The scent throw may be milder in gel candles compared to other types of candles. To enhance scent throw, consider using highly concentrated fragrance oils specifically formulated for gel wax.

Flammability: Gel wax is more flammable than traditional waxes, so it is crucial to follow proper safety precautions and guidelines when working with it. Keep a close eye on burning gel candles and ensure they are placed on heat-resistant surfaces away from flammable objects.

Limited Heat Resistance: Gel wax has lower heat resistance compared to other waxes. Avoid using thick wicks or burning gel candles for excessively long periods, as this can cause excessive heat and potential damage to the container or gel consistency.

Tips for using Gel Wax

Container Selection: Choose heat-resistant glass containers specifically designed for gel candles. Ensure that the containers are suitable for the intended use and can withstand the heat generated by the burning candle.

Embeds and Decorative Elements: Take advantage of the transparency of gel wax by adding embeds, decorative objects, or colored dyes. Experiment with different types of embeds, such as seashells, beads, or glitter, to create visually captivating candles.

Wicking: Select appropriate wicks for gel candles, considering the diameter and depth of the container. Zinc core or cotton core wicks are commonly used for gel candles. Conduct burn tests to determine the optimal wick size for your specific candle design.

Fragrance Selection: Choose fragrance oils specifically formulated for gel wax to maximize scent throw. Consider highly concentrated fragrances and experiment with different combinations to achieve the desired aroma intensity.

Layering: Create visually striking candles by layering different colors or embedding objects within the gel wax. This technique adds depth and dimension to your candles, resulting in stunning visual effects.

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Gel candle wax offers a world of creativity and visual appeal for candle makers. Its transparency, versatility, and extended burn time make it a fascinating medium to explore. While it may require some adjustments in fragrance diffusion and safety considerations, the unique properties of gel wax open up endless possibilities for creating beautiful and captivating candles. With proper techniques and imaginative designs, gel candles can provide an enchanting and luminous ambiance to any space. Embrace the versatility of gel wax and let your creativity shine through your stunning gel candle creations.

If you’re looking for a reputable company to buy quality candle wax, check out Nature’s Garden Candle Co.

If you are looking for some fun and creative candle making projects, check out some of my other posts. I love working with cement and glass containers and floral/succulent candle projects! They are surprisingly easy to do and make the perfect gift!