This is a candle I made with 100% Stearic Acid. Why Stearic Acid? Because I saw some candles at a high end gift shop that were made with “Palm Wax.” They were very expensive candles and I thought, “Gosh, Stearic Acid is derived from Palm Oil. I wonder if I could just use Stearic Acid for my candle?” The natural Palm Wax candle at the store had a cool, crystallized look. The candle in the photo, though difficult to see, does have a crystalline, unique look that is high end and sophisticated. Success!
I measured out 16 ounces volume of Stearic Acid for my candle. For this project, I used Stearic Acid, Carrot Cake (discontinued – see all our candle fragrances here), the cotton core WU-250 wick and a Bramble Berry’s Candle Container.
Check out what 16 ounces volume looks like melted down! This illustrates why it’s important to always use weight when making any recipes. It’s a more precise crafting method. Precision and predictability is important for crafters. You can cost better and ensure less batch variation when you weigh out products rather than using volume.
I fragranced the candle with a full .5 ounces of fragrance. I like my candles strong and use a full 1 ounce of fragrance per pound (weight) of wax. Then, I carefully poured the wax, taking care not to spill all over the table. Finally, I positioned the wick in the center, propped up the wick on either side to ensure that the wick would remain straight and waited.
The candle burns well but next time, I’ll either use the WU-150 wick or experiment with a little Soy Wax addition to soften up the wax for an easier burn. The 100% Palm Stearic Acid candle is harder than I expected so the candle isn’t burning fully out to the edges. But, overall, the experiment is a success. The candle looks unique and interesting, burns well and has excellent scent throw.
Karen,
You could probably use a candle release to get that out – it’s like a dry body oil almost that you coat the mold with first. It helps with ease of release for sure.
I use Stearic Acid as a hardener in almost every candle I make – even if it’s just 3-5%, it seems to help. =)
Did not mean to double post, how does that happen??
I tried to make a stearic acid votive yesterday, it would not release from mold even after an hour in the freezer… so if you want to make the pretty stearic acid candles be sure to stick to containers. But yes they do make a lovely texture.
I was so glad to find this post while looking for info about adding stearic acid to palm wax. I noticed that the palm candles I added the most color to burned better.. so thought adding stearic acid to the ones without color might work better. Great info, cause I bought a big bag of stearic acid last fall I was going to use in soap. (I found that using as much as I planned to soap did not work out) Now I have a use for it! Thanks!
PS do you know how much to add to palm wax votives for best result?
The Stearic did make the awesome crystallize look like Palm. It wasn’t the feather look (I’ve seen that) but more of a straight ice crystal look. It was really pretty.
You know I was thinking that,Stearic Acid is what they add to Palm or Soy to make them harder, so they can be pillars or votive”s,etc. So I don’t see why you could not use the Stearic Acid, to make these, also Palm pillar wax does not burn to edge so that is, maybe why your candle is not burning to the edge. Also how does it look ? did it crystallize or feather like palm? I have always felt this is what makes the different look of palm , by adding more or less,Stearic Acid.
I have to try this, I have lots of Palm Stearic Acid.
As Always you are thinking of great things, for us to try.
Thanks ,
Omi
Anon,
It’s a very, very hard candle so I’d definitely soften it up the next time I use it with a bit of soy wax but yes, it burned cleanly. I didn’t notice any smoking.
Oh I have some stearic laying around screaming to be used…guess I have a good project for this week!
I would never have thought of it but I am so glad that you shared this with us! Ü
Does it burn cleanly? Does it smoke much?
Joanna, I agree. A newly opened bag of Stearic does smell strange. It doesn’t smell that way at all after making the candle though. I suspect the scent wafts off, similar to an alcohol or something, once the Stearic Acid is exposed to air.
Hi Nana –
Let me know if you don’t get the four emails that Amber and Nicole sent. Amber sent you an email Friday and Nicole sent you one on Monday and they both resent you emails this morning. =)
Your spam filter must be aggressive to be catching them both.
A-M
Hi Nana-
This is Nicole in Customer Service. Amber and I have both written you back a couple times. Maybe check your spam filter? I will resend the emails to you as well. =)
Thank you
Nicole
Hi,
This is Nana from Taiwan. I’m a soaper maker. Welcome to visit my blog.
I contacted with you before.
Sorry, I have no idea to solve the problems so I left message here.
I guess you’re working in BramBleberry. In fact, I got a damage shipment and I sent 2 mails but nobody responsed me. Can you help me??
([email protected])
Cool idea…makes me want to make some candles again (it has been a few years for me).
When I open a bag of stearic acid, it stinks of chemicals to me, so I can’t get my head around wanting to make this, but I give you oodles of credit for doing the experiment and sharing your thoughts with us.
I just bought some Palm Wax because I love the finished look of the candle when I use it. I’m going to try some stearic acid now for my own comparison. Thanks for the tip!