How to distinguish paraffin candles from wax candles.

Due to the fact that each of us lives in the age of advanced technology, every time he comes home, he wants to surround himself with comfort, and less harmful, if not environmentally friendly. So, the tendency to build wooden houses, grow moss at home, less paint and wallpaper, loft style has already come into fashion. And the decor tends towards minimalism too!
Candles, as a wonderful object of decor, are another subject that needs to be approached wisely and made minimally harmful. What is it about, will the average user of candles say? I go to the store, I take a candle that looks at me. Everything.

But today there will be a debriefing, we will explain in detail to you the difference that exists between candles.

So, paraffin or wax? What is the difference?

It would seem that wax, what could be simpler and more affordable? But no, on this moment Good quality 100% wax candles are extremely rare. But everyone meets, so don't despair! :) It's no secret that many manufacturers prefer paraffin candles. Subsequently, they come out cheaper to the buyer. But is it worth it?

What is paraffin?

This is a derivative of oil, in addition to paraffin, the composition of the candle includes a large set of chemical wax substitutes, stearin and fragrances. When burning, such candles release toxic substances, and paraffin itself is a carcinogen when burned. Doesn't sound very good, does it?

Here are the candles beeswax-another thing! These candles include propolis, which gives a special smell to the candles and when burned, evaporating, cleans and disinfects the air in the room. Moreover, they have a beneficial effect on the entire human body.

The question arises, so how can you still distinguish wax candles from paraffin ones? Candles can be distinguished by

Smell:

Untreated wax candles will have a distinct, natural wax scent that can be felt when the candle is held up to the nose.

But the paraffin candle will not smell at all.

To the touch:

You can often find a candle with a slightly rough surface. But pleasant to the touch. This will be the wax candle we need.

Paraffin to the touch like soap, a little greasy.

When burning:

When burning, you can notice how the candle burns evenly, does not flow, (does not cry), when burning, it melts, forming a drop of wax inside the candle. During combustion, it periodically crackles. Burns slowly. Gives a very faint smell of wax. The candle is easily placed on a drop of wax on a glass surface.

Paraffin, in turn, burns quickly, flows, but there is a drop during melting, which also indicates the presence of other impurities in it besides paraffin. Does not smell when burned.

Candle Smell:

A wax candle will give a natural pleasant wax smell.

Paraffin, by no means - an unpleasant paraffin smell

Plasticity of the candle:

A wax candle is most often very plastic, bends easily, and does not break or crumble.

Paraffin candles are beautiful in appearance and quite elegant. They are used, as a rule, to give a festive atmosphere to any event.

Description

Paraffin is the most common candle material, having supplanted stearin as a staple as early as the early 19th century.

In 1830, the German chemist Carl von Reikenbach discovered chemical compound called paraffin. The resulting substance instantly gained popularity not only among candle makers (paraffin in one form or another is part of most candles), but also affected the textile, food, and printing industries.

The composition of the candle

In a purified form, the resulting product is actively used in the manufacture of candles. It is a colorless substance that has neither taste nor smell. The resulting material is oily to the touch, insoluble in water, but highly soluble in mineral oils and when heated in a variety of oils of vegetable origin. The density of the purified material varies within 0.907-0.915/cm 3 . A colorless substance has a low thermal conductivity. Melt synthetic material starts at a temperature of 50-60 °C.

Essentially, paraffin is a carbon compound. Chemists and scientists know many varieties of a chemical compound.

Difference from wax

Unlike wax candles, paraffin candles do not burn for long. Wax ones are inferior to them in beauty, and even in interesting performance on appearance more like churches. However, from a medical point of view, candles made from wax are better than paraffin candles since they are made from natural material- wax produced by bees. Due to the fact that wax candles are quite expensive, they are usually made not entirely from beeswax, but with blotches various materials in order to extend the burning time of the candle, as well as to imitate a natural aroma.

The main distinguishing feature of a paraffin candle from wax is fragility. So, candles made from paraffin crumble easily, because they are a direct product of oil refining. Wax candles are always cut in an even layer.

Household paraffin candle

Household candles are most often made from untinted paraffin of medium or high purity. They look like they have cylindrical shape, in color, as a rule, white translucent or opaque. Such candles are the simplest, most popular and cheapest type of candles. Use them for their intended purpose during a power outage. It is used by placing it in a candlestick, with the help of which the candle becomes more stable.

Candle production

Paraffin candles can be easily made at home. For this you will need the following materials:

• Paraffin (for example, from old candles or purchased in the form of a bar).
• Small load (you can use a nut).
• Thread for the wick.
• Essential oils and dyes.
• Metal utensils for melting.
• Form (you can use a children's sandbox kit).

The next step is to prepare the paraffin. In the case of using old candles or purchased, but ugly, they must be placed in hot water. Then cut, pull out the wick from the inside and lower it into the dishes. Melt the paraffin with a water bath.

In the case of purchasing a piece of paraffin in a specialized store, you need to cut it into small pieces and immerse it in a melting dish. At this time, it is necessary to stir the mass periodically to prevent overheating, blackening and leakage of the substance.

Then you need to lubricate the walls of the candle mold with liquid soap and tie a load to one of the ends of the wick, placing it in the center of the mold. Add dry dye or wax colored crayons to the straightened paraffin mass. Pour in essential oil or fragrance. Then, slowly, in a thin stream, it is necessary to pour the paraffin into the prepared form. After that, a candle made of paraffin should be left to dry completely in the room.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of the candle include good melting of the paraffin candle. Synthetic material perfectly melts and takes any shape. Paraffin also goes well with dyes, for example, when mixed with fatty dyes, it gives a rich bright color.

The only thing you should pay attention to when adding dyes and flavors is that you don’t need to get carried away with them. For the simple reason that when a paraffin candle burns, an excess of dye can release harmful, toxic substances and create soot on the wick. A a large number of flavor highlight bad smell when burning.

Another positive point that can be used in the manufacture of candles is their versatility and unlimited scope for imagination. During production, metal, colored chips are added to paraffin candles, they are decorated different ways with the help of glass. In the form of molds for paraffin candles, silicone, glass, and metal molds are used.

The disadvantages of candles made from paraffin include their inability to maintain a certain shape for a long time. So, after a short amount of time, candles made of pure paraffin are deformed, especially at high temperatures. To avoid this, experienced craftsmen involved in the production of candles add stearin, beeswax or mineral wax, ceresin or ozocerite.

Also, an unpleasant property that occurs when using candles can include soot and acrid smoke. When the following negative signs appear, the conclusion suggests itself that in the preparation of such a candle, unpurified synthetic material was used. And, therefore, in the composition of the candle there is a significant proportion of mineral impurities. Soaking the candle wick in ammonium chloride can help in such a situation.

Useful properties of candles

The material in question has beneficial features for a person. Scientists have come to this discovery relatively recently. In their opinion, paraffin candles, made with eucalyptus or thyme essential oils, have the ability to destroy pathogenic bacteria. Scientists and researchers have come to the conclusion that it is all about the correct concentration of oils in the miraculous candle. For the simple reason that the basis essential oil- turpentine, but about healing properties This material was heard by our grandmothers. So in the near future, thanks to the burning of candles, it will be possible to eliminate great amount microorganisms harmful to human health.

Also, heated paraffin improves blood circulation and accelerates the healing process of wounds, significantly improves the functioning of the joints. Treatment with synthetic material is often used in the post-traumatic period during rehabilitation after injuries.

In the section on the question How do paraffin candles differ from wax candles? .. asked by the author papinadocha the best answer is Paraffin - a product of the distillation of petroleum - is the most popular material for candles and is included in most candles in one form or another. In the 19th century, stearin was significantly replaced as a candle material.
Beeswax is a natural product produced by bees. Beeswax candles burn longer than paraffin candles and are preferred because they are natural. Due to the higher cost of wax candles, candles are often made not entirely from beeswax, but are added to other materials to extend the burning time of the candle and imitate a natural aroma. The wax used for candles comes in many varieties.

Answer from beg[guru]
Paraffin - chemical, wax - natural

Answer from stoirosovy[guru]
paraffin burn 10-15 minutes and wax 20-40 minutes

Answer from V. Makarova[guru]
wax is resin

Answer from European[guru]
some from paraffin others from wax, i.e. some are artificial (paraffin), others are natural

Answer from Lena[newbie]
Paraffin candles do not stick down when they burn, but simply melt. Wax candles, on the contrary, when they melt, smudges appear.

Answer from Zhenyusik[newbie]
wax is better

Answer from Olga[expert]
externally? color - paraffin light, waxy yellow - smoothly turning into orange .. . if by burning - wax candles do not leave cinders when burned.

Answer from Zhenya[guru]
Paraffin is cheap, made of synthetic material, burns quickly, paraffin melts and flows easily, the wicks are smoked.
Waxes are made from natural beeswax, burn well, have a pleasant smell. Expensive.
Now they are mainly used only in temples (churches).

Today, candles are not as commonly used as they once were. In our life, with their help, people create a romantic atmosphere, flavor the air, or simply use them as an element of decor.

But, many experts argue that scented candles are very harmful to humans and should not be used very often. They release a large amount of toxins into the air, so people may experience health problems.

What to do? Choose paraffin or wax candles, how do they differ?

Paraffin candles - harm and benefit

Paraffin candles when burned, toxic compounds are released into the air - toluene and benzene. Benzene is used in industry. Many different products are produced on its basis: rubber, plastics, synthetic rubber, paints, explosives, fabric dyes and some medical preparations.

Benzene enters the human body through Airways. So people suffer from weakness, sleep disturbances and dizziness. Also, if a person inhales such harmful substance, then the liver and kidneys may not work well, blood and bone marrow diseases develop, the functions of the circulatory and nervous systems. In addition, acute poisoning is possible.

Toluene aromatic compound, benzene is obtained from it. Toluene, like benzene, enters the human body through the respiratory system, sometimes through the skin. In most cases, it affects the nervous and circulatory system.

It should be understood that paraffin candles are quite harmful to the human body, so you need to use them several times a month. No need to get carried away with these candles.

If you want to create a pleasant smell in the apartment or just lie in the bath with candles, then do not delay with this matter. A few minutes will be enough and so you can protect yourself.

Wax candles - harm and benefit

wax candles completely made from natural substances, they will not cause harm to health, even when a huge amount of them burns. In old times church candles consisted of beeswax, they burned evenly and did not emit harmful substances into the air.

Now aromatic candles made of wax with propolis are gradually replacing them. These candles are not harmful to the body, but on the contrary, they are useful.

These candles are often used for creating a romantic atmosphere, to relieve stress, or during epidemics. The price for them will be more expensive than for candles made of paraffin.

Today, soy wax is gaining popularity - it is 100% safe, cheaper than bees, does not contain chemical substances. Soy wax candles are easily recycled or tinted.

What is the difference between a wax candle and a paraffin candle, how to distinguish them?

A person can already visually distinguish these types of candles. The wax product is made from a yellow shade, while the paraffin products are made from white or translucent.

1. If the paraffin is cut, it will crumble, and the wax is cut evenly and easily.
2. Wax candles do not leave black deposits.
3. If you bend the candle, then the paraffin will fall apart, and the wax will only change its shape.
4. When burning a wax candle, the aroma can be honey, and paraffin candles give off a pungent smell.

Wax candles - video

Wax is an exclusively natural product. Paraffin can be both natural and artificial product synthesized from petroleum.

Definition

Wax is a common substance in nature. Waxes are solid mixtures of esters that form higher high molecular weight alcohols and higher fatty acids. There are animal waxes: beeswax, wool (lanolin), spermaceti. Lanolin protects the skin and coat of animals from clogging, moisture and drying. Spermaceti is extracted from the spermaceti oil produced by sperm whales.

Vegetable waxes twitch fruits, stems and leaves with a thin coating. Wax coating protects them from drying and soaking, exposure to pathogenic microorganisms. Ozokerite is a fossil wax, consisting mainly of saturated hydrocarbons.

Paraffin is a wax-like mixture formed by saturated hydrocarbons. Paraffins are inert to many chemicals. They are oxidized by atmospheric oxygen and nitric acid, while the output is fatty acids, which are similar to the fatty acids that are components of vegetable and animal fats. Fatty acids obtained by the oxidation of paraffins are used in the perfume industry, in the production of detergents and other household chemicals.

Comparison

Wax does not burn, it only melts with the formation of large droplets. Paraffin, on the contrary, burns completely. When burning paraffin, soot is released. Wax, when burned, does not leave soot stains.

Candles are found both paraffin and wax

Wax is usually yellow-brown in color, and paraffin white color if dyes are not added to it. Wax during long-term storage is covered with a whitish coating. Paraffin crumbles when cut, but wax does not, it is cut off in whole pieces.

Natural wax has the ability to cause allergies. Pure paraffin practically does not cause allergic reactions.

Findings site

1. Wax, like plasticine, is a very soft, flexible and plastic material. Paraffin tends to crumble when cut.
2. Natural wax is a natural product. Paraffin is a synthetic material produced from petroleum products.
3. Paraffin burns completely, emitting soot, wax - only melts and never smokes.