When it comes to making candles, there are a few different types of wax that you can use. This blog post will discuss the difference between container wax and pillar wax. Container wax is typically used for making candles that will be poured into a container. Pillar wax is used for making pillars and other large sculpture candles. Let’s take a closer look at each type of wax!
Container wax is a type of wax that is specifically designed for use in container candles. Container wax has a lower melting point and is softer than pillar wax. Pillar wax is a type of wax designed for use in free-standing candles. It has a higher melting point and is harder than container wax.
So, what’s the best type of wax to use for your candles? It depends on what kind of candle you are trying to make. If you want to make container candles, then container wax is the way to go. If you’re going to make free-standing pillar candles, then pillar wax is the better option. If you want to gain both pillar and container wax properties, you may want to choose a hybrid wax that will vary in results – so you must test your candles.
Properties: Pillar Wax vs. Container Wax
Pillar wax has a higher melting point, which means that it will melt slowly once the candle is lit compared to a candle made from container wax. Container wax has a lower melting point, melting faster than candles made from pillar wax. This aids in the container wax being able to release aroma quicker into your home because your flame has melted a larger surface area.
Pillar wax is harder, which means it will hold its shape better than container wax. With pillar wax being harder, you can make unique, free-standing sculptures with intricate designs. You won’t be able to do this with container wax. Container wax is softer, making it suitable specifically for containers. The wax will spread throughout the container and ensure it fills evenly without bumps or gaps between the candle and the container.
Pillar wax is designed to shrink when cooling, allowing you to remove your candle or wax melt from the mould easily. Container wax is not designed to shrink, so you will have difficulty removing your candle from the mould. This is why those individuals that want to make sculptures or complex shapes are better placed using pillar wax. Similarly, if you use pillar wax in a container, the candle will shrink as it cools. This will mean that your candle will come away from the side of the container. This will lead to a poorly executed design and may mean that your candle will fall out of the container when moved.
Pillar candles will often give you a more even burn than container candles. The heat is distributed evenly throughout the pillar wax as it melts down. Container candles can often have hot and cold spots, which can cause your candle to burn unevenly. This can lead to candle tunnelling in container candles – but we will be sure to cover how to avoid this in another article.
If you happen to be someone that is new to candle making, hold up for just a minute. We wrote an article all about frequently asked questions from beginners that we encourage you to read!
Fragrance and Design: Pillar Wax vs. Container Wax
Pillar wax has a higher fragrance load, which means that it will hold more fragrance than container wax. Container wax has a lower fragrance load, which means that it will not hold as much fragrance as pillar wax. This is not to say that all container waxes can hold more fragrance than pillar candles. It all depends on the wax you purchase and the testing you carry out on your final designs. You may find that certain hybrid waxes can produce a more significant fragrance release. It is essential to test your designs to ensure that the fragrance is released to your liking throughout the candle’s burn time.
If you want to know more about essential oils that you should not mix together, hold up for just a minute. We wrote an article all about oils that you should not mix together that we encourage you to read!
Pillar wax is free-standing, allowing your creations to be placed anywhere in your home. Container wax needs a container to set in, so you need to choose wisely depending on your initial design of the candle. As pillar wax is free-standing, these waxes can be used for sculpture candles. Think of your oyster shells and beautiful sculptured animal candles. You won’t want to be making these out of container wax – that is for sure!
Uses Of Pillar Wax
Pillar wax is typically used for making pillar candles, large candles, freestanding candles, and sculpture candles.
Pillar waxes are often used for wax melts and tarts. They generally have a lower melting point and can be used in tart warmers without worrying about the wax getting too hot. They are also used for wax melts to ensure that they can easily be removed from the creative and often complex moulds they are set in. You can see examples of pillar candles below. You will notice that they come in all shapes and sizes, which shows the beauty of pillar wax and the endless possibilities that can come from yours and others’ imaginations.
Uses of Container Wax
Container wax is most commonly used in container candles. These containers can come in all shapes and sizes. These can include but are not limited to jars, tins, and moulds. The container wax can be poured into the container of your choice, and then a wick is placed into the wax. The container candle can then be lit and enjoyed after being put in a safe place within your home. You can see examples of these types of candles below and how they are a staple in your mastering candle-making path!
Can you use container wax for pillar candles and wax melts?
It would be best to use pillar wax for these situations. As previously discussed, pillar wax will contract when cooling in your moulds. This will allow you to easily remove the melts and candles that you will struggle to do with container wax.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know the difference between pillar and container wax, it is time to get creative! Whether you are making container candles or pillar candles, you can use this information to decide the type of wax you would like to use. Test every kind of wax to see which one works best for you and your needs. Pillar candles, container candles, or wax melts – the choice is yours! Just be sure to have fun and enjoy the process.
Happy candle-making!
