The Complete Guide to Beeswax Candles

Beeswax Is Different

Forget everything you know about soy or coconut wax. Beeswax plays by different rules.

It's the oldest candle-making material. Used for thousands of years. And there's a reason it's still around: nothing else burns quite like it.

What Makes Beeswax Special

Natural honey scent. You don't need to add fragrance. Many beeswax candle makers don't.

Brightest flame of any natural wax. The light quality is warm and golden.

Longest burn time. Beeswax burns slower than soy, coconut, or paraffin.

Air purifying claims. Some say burning beeswax releases negative ions that clean the air. The science is debated, but customers believe it.

Kerawax 2555 Specs

• Melt point: 62-65°C
• Pour temperature: 70-75°C
• Fragrance load: up to 6% (but most don't add any)
• Colour: Golden yellow (natural)

What Beeswax Is For

Pillar candles. Taper candles. Rolled candles from sheets. Votives. Moulded shapes.

Anywhere you want that natural honey scent and golden glow.

What Beeswax Is NOT For

Container candles. Beeswax is hard. It contracts significantly as it cools and pulls away from glass. You'll have wet spots everywhere and poor adhesion.

Heavily scented candles. Beeswax doesn't hold fragrance well. If you want strong scent throw, use a different wax.

Working With Beeswax

Melting

Heat to 80-85°C. Beeswax has a higher melt point than soy or coconut. Make sure it's fully liquid with no cloudy bits.

Use a dedicated pot. Beeswax is hard to clean out. You don't want it contaminating other waxes.

Adding Fragrance (Optional)

Most beeswax candles are unscented. The natural honey aroma is the point.

If you do add fragrance, keep it to 3-6%. More than that and it won't bind properly. Add at 75°C.

Stick to simple scents that complement honey: vanilla, cinnamon, citrus. Complex fragrance blends get lost.

Pouring

Pour at 70-75°C. Hotter than soy.

Beeswax sets fast. Work quickly once you start.

For pillars, the two-pour method is essential. Beeswax shrinks more than other waxes. First pour, let it set, poke relief holes, second pour.

Cooling

Cool slowly at room temperature. Beeswax cracks if cooled too fast.

Large pillars may need overnight to cool completely through.

Wick Sizing for Beeswax

Beeswax needs bigger wicks than soy. The higher melt point means the wick needs to generate more heat.

Square braid wicks work well with beeswax. They're stiffer and stand up better in the harder wax.

Pillar/Taper Diameter	Suggested Wick
2cm (0.8") - tapers	Square braid 2/0
5cm (2")	Square braid 1 or LX 14-16
7cm (2.75")	Square braid 2 or LX 18-20
10cm (4")	Square braid 3+ or multiple wicks

Test extensively. Beeswax wicking is less forgiving than soy.

Troubleshooting Beeswax

Cracking

The most common beeswax problem. Caused by:

• Cooling too fast
• Pouring too hot (more shrinkage)
• Not doing a second pour

Fix: Pour at 70°C (not 75°C), cool at room temperature away from drafts, always do a second pour for pillars.

Bloom (White Film)

A white, powdery film on the surface. This is natural. It's caused by softer waxes in the beeswax migrating to the surface.

It's not a defect. Many people like it - it shows the beeswax is natural.

If you don't like it, wipe with a soft cloth or briefly warm the surface with a heat gun.

Tunnelling

The candle burns down the middle, leaving walls of unmelted wax.

Cause: Wick too small. Beeswax needs more heat than other waxes.

Fix: Size up your wick. Test again.

Smoking

Cause: Wick too large, or wick needs trimming.

Beeswax wicks should be trimmed to 6-8mm before each burn. Longer than that and they'll smoke.

Poor Mould Release

Beeswax usually releases well from silicone. If it's sticking:

• Wait longer. Beeswax needs to cool completely.
• Put the mould in the fridge for 10 minutes. The wax contracts slightly and releases easier.

Curing Beeswax

Beeswax doesn't need curing like soy. You can burn it within 24-48 hours of making.

That said, letting it rest for a few days can help any fragrance (if added) bind better.

Making Taper Candles

Beeswax is ideal for tapers. Two methods:

Dipping: Repeatedly dip a wick into molten beeswax, building up layers. Traditional method. Takes time but produces beautiful, consistent tapers.

Moulding: Pour into taper moulds. Faster, but requires proper moulds and wicking.

For dipping, keep your wax at 70-75°C throughout. Dip for 3 seconds, let cool for 30 seconds, repeat. 20-30 dips for a standard taper.

Blending Beeswax

Some makers blend beeswax with other waxes. Common blends:

• Beeswax + coconut: Softens the beeswax slightly, adds creaminess
• Beeswax + soy: Reduces cost, makes it easier to work with

If you blend, you lose some of the pure beeswax benefits. You also can't legally call it a "beeswax candle" unless it's 100%.

Why Choose Beeswax?

The natural story. Customers who want beeswax really want beeswax. It's not interchangeable with soy in their minds.

No added fragrance needed. Saves on fragrance oil costs.

Premium pricing. Beeswax candles command higher prices than soy or paraffin.

Why Not Choose Beeswax?

Cost. Beeswax is significantly more expensive than other waxes.

Limited fragrance options. If you want strongly scented candles, this isn't the wax.

No containers. You can't make jar candles with pure beeswax.

Different techniques. Everything you know about soy doesn't apply.