Pure paraffin wax melts at around 54 to 57 degrees Celsius. Adding stearine makes the wax harder and melt at a higher temperature. Adding mineral oil (baby oil) makes the wax softer and melt at a lower temperature.
Soft candles in glass jars (called votive candles) usually have mineral oil in their blend and burn cooler at around 49 degrees Celsius, Pillar candles are mostly paraffin and burn warmer at around 60 degrees Celsius. A good source for votive candles is internet church supplies companies.
Taper candles have lots of stearine and burn hotter still at around 71 degrees Celsius. Beeswax candles burn about 5 Celsius degrees hotter than equivalent paraffin candles. Although there are many web sites that repeat the same advice that color additives make candles burn hotter, actual experiments performed by two different researchers show that this is usually not the case. Increasing, the distance the wax falls by 1 meter will drop the temperature about 5 degrees at the risk of splatter.
If ordinary candles are too hot, a special wax blended with a high concentration of mineral oil (baby oil) can be heated to lower temperatures in a crock pot or double boiler. Votive candles mixed with baby oil melt a much lower temperature and can be poured directly onto the skin without risk of causing burns.
Wax may pool and concentrate heat. Temperatures listed above only apply when wax is in equilibrium. Wax heated in any sort of pot must be stirred vigorously or there can be dangerous temperature variations. Some people may be allergic to perfumes and dyes. Whatever is above a burning candle can get very hot, even at distances that may be surprising. Candles may break and set fire to objects underneath or nearby. Do not leave candles burning unattended, particularly when you go to sleep. Wax is difficult to wash out of clothes and bed linens. People with certain diseases, skin conditions, or taking certain medications may require additional precautions.
Article by MissBonnie © collarncuffs.com
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