Which wax should I use for candles?
Short answer
The book works mainly with coconut wax, and also uses soy wax and white beeswax. It prefers natural waxes to mineral ones.
Explanation
Coconut wax (about 80% coconut oil derivatives and 20% other vegetable oils) is the author's main wax; the book says it burns without smoke or harmful emissions. Soy wax is made from hydrogenated soybean oil, with an average melting point of 69–72 °C. Choose a grade to suit the project: container or mold, dyed or not, massage candle or aroma sachet. White beeswax is ordinary beeswax bleached by sunlight or UV.
The book also has a reference section on animal, plant and mineral waxes. It doesn't recommend mineral waxes such as paraffin.
What to do
- Buy the grade (container or mold) that matches your project.
Source: The Big Book of Sweet Dessert Candles — Coconut Wax · White Beeswax · Soy Wax · Natural Waxes