How Do Different Wax Blends Impact the Scent Throw and Burn Time in Candles?

Creating the perfect candle is both an art and a science. As candle makers, we know that selecting the right wax blend is key to achieving optimal scent throw and burn time. Whether you’re crafting a luxurious candle for your boutique line or designing eco-friendly products for your sustainable brand, understanding the role of wax blends can make a huge difference.

When choosing a wax blend, the scent throw and burn time are two of the most important factors to consider. Scent throw refers to how well a candle disperses its fragrance into the air, while burn time is the duration the candle lasts once lit. The type of wax and the blend you use can dramatically impact both of these attributes.

In this post, I’ll break down how different waxes—beeswax, soy wax, and microcrystalline wax—affect these two key features, and how you can optimize your candle-making process to create products that stand out in the market.

What is Scent Throw and Burn Time?

Before diving into wax blends, let’s define the two concepts that are crucial for every candle maker. Scent throw is how well a candle’s fragrance fills a room. A good scent throw can be affected by various factors, including the wax type, the fragrance oil ratio, and the wick size.

Burn time refers to how long the candle will burn before it runs out of wax. The longer a candle burns, the more time it has to disperse fragrance. Wax blends can either increase or decrease the burn time based on their melting properties and how they hold fragrance.

How Do Different Wax Blends Affect Scent Throw?

The wax blend you use plays a critical role in how the fragrance is released into the air. Each type of wax has unique properties that can enhance or hinder the scent throw.

Beeswax

Beeswax is known for its slow burn and natural, sweet fragrance. When blended with other waxes, it can provide a good scent throw due to its higher melting point, which ensures a longer, more consistent burn. Beeswax has the ability to hold fragrance well, though its natural scent can sometimes compete with added fragrance oils. This makes it ideal for unscented or lightly scented candles, or as a base for more complex fragrances.

However, because beeswax burns slower, it may not always be the best choice if you’re looking to create a strong, immediate scent throw in a candle. Beeswax candles typically have a burn time of around 20 to 30 hours for a standard-sized candle.

Soy Wax

Soy wax is a popular choice for many candle makers because it’s natural, burns cleanly, and offers a good scent throw. It’s a softer wax, which means it melts faster than harder waxes like paraffin or beeswax. This faster melt rate can lead to a quicker scent release, especially when paired with the right fragrance oils. Soy wax holds fragrance oils well, and the scent throw tends to be strong and consistent across a variety of candle types.

Because soy wax has a lower melting point, it can sometimes have a slightly shorter burn time compared to harder waxes. Soy candles typically burn for around 25 to 50 hours, depending on the candle’s size and wick type.

Soy blends can be enhanced with additives like stearin, which can help improve burn time without compromising scent throw.

Microcrystalline Wax

Microcrystalline wax is a more flexible, sticky wax compared to soy or beeswax. It is often used as a blending agent because of its unique ability to hold fragrances very well, even at higher temperatures. It has a slightly longer burn time compared to pure soy wax due to its higher melting point, but the scent throw is often a bit more subtle, requiring precise adjustments to the fragrance oil blend.

Microcrystalline wax’s higher melting point means it burns slower and is typically used in candles that are intended to last longer. Candles made with microcrystalline wax can burn for up to 50+ hours, depending on the size and wick.

Blending Different Waxes

Blending different waxes can create a balance between scent throw and burn time. For example, combining soy wax with beeswax can give you the best of both worlds: the strong scent throw of soy with the long burn time of beeswax. Similarly, blending soy with microcrystalline wax can improve burn time while maintaining a decent scent throw.

The key to finding the right blend is understanding the ratio of fragrance oil to wax. The more fragrance oil you add, the stronger the scent throw will be, but the wax may burn faster. In contrast, a higher wax-to-fragrance ratio can lengthen burn time but may affect the potency of the scent. Experimenting with different ratios is essential to perfecting your candle.

Key Questions About Wax Blends, Scent Throw, and Burn Time

How does the fragrance oil percentage affect the scent throw in different wax blends?
What are the optimal wick sizes for soy, beeswax, and microcrystalline candles?
Why does beeswax have a natural scent that competes with fragrance oils, and how can this be managed?
What role does the wax’s melting point play in its burn time?
How can adding stearin to a soy blend improve its burn time and scent throw?
What makes microcrystalline wax a good choice for long-lasting candles, and how does it affect scent throw?

Conclusion

Choosing the right wax blend is essential for achieving the perfect balance between scent throw and burn time. By understanding how each type of wax behaves, you can tailor your candles to meet the expectations of your customers, whether you’re targeting eco-conscious buyers with beeswax candles or creating luxurious, long-lasting soy wax blends. The key is experimentation—testing different ratios and blends will help you find the right formula for your unique needs.