Candle Making Glossary: 15 Terms Explained
The words that show up in candle making specs, reviews and how-to guides, explained without jargon.
- Beeswax
- A natural wax with a higher melt point and honey scent, good for pillars and tapers.
- Related: Best Beeswax for Candles →
- Cure time
- Resting a candle before burning so fragrance binds with wax. Soy candles often benefit from one to two weeks.
- Double boiler
- A pot inside a pot of water that melts wax gently and safely.
- Related: Best Double Boilers for Melting Candle Wax →
- Flash point
- The temperature at which fragrance vapour can ignite. Add fragrance within supplier guidance.
- Fragrance load
- Fragrance oil as a percentage of wax weight. Check the wax and fragrance supplier's maximum.
- Related: Best Candle Fragrance Oils for Strong, Clean Scent Throw →
- Frosting
- White crystal patterns on soy candles, cosmetic and harmless.
- Melt point
- The temperature at which a wax becomes liquid.
- Melt pool
- The liquid wax around the wick. A full melt pool to the edge prevents tunnelling.
- Pour temperature
- The recommended temperature to pour wax for a smooth top and good adhesion.
- Related: Best Candle Thermometers for Accurate Pours →
- Soy wax
- A plant-based container wax with a creamy look and lower melt point.
- Related: Best Soy Wax for Candles →
- Test burn
- Burning test candles to check melt pool, flame height and safety before making a batch.
- Related: Best Candle Testing Supplies for Burn Trials →
- Tunnelling
- A candle burning straight down, leaving wasted wax on the sides.
- Wet spots
- Patches where wax pulls away from the glass, often from temperature changes.
- Wick centering tool
- A bar or clip that holds wicks upright and centred while wax sets.
- Related: Best Wick Centering Tools →
- Wick size
- Matched to container diameter and wax. Too small tunnels, too large smokes and overheats.
- Related: Best Wick Sample Packs →