Comparison
Soy Wax or Paraffin?
Container soy, mold paraffin, stearic acid and blends: project-based choice with Rufus Concept raw materials.
What is soy wax and where does it stand at Rufus?
Soy wax is a vegetable candle base made from soybean oil. Rufus Soya Wax 50 comes in flake (pastille) form, which makes it easy to weigh and melt. It is off-white, opaque and odorless. It contains no petroleum-derived paraffin; with the right wick and burn it produces no soot or smoke. It is softer than paraffin, which is why 100% soy products are recommended for container (glass/jar) and aromatherapy candles and will not give a firm pillar in every silicone mold as is.
Soya Wax 50 technical notes
According to the product description in the live catalog: melting about 51–55°C, setting on average 42–60°C, essential oil saturation on average 8%. Melt in a double boiler and stir. Store at 18–21°C room temperature; protect it from above 32°C and below 5°C. Wait at least 24 hours before burning. A longer burn time is an advantage over paraffin; scent retention is high thanks to its oily structure.
When to choose paraffin?
Paraffin is strong for firm shapes, pillars and finely detailed molds. Low-oil paraffins come out harder; container paraffins work softer. It captures mold detail sharply and is commonly combined with dye. Its unit cost is generally below soy. Stearic acid (the candle hardener at Rufus) is used in paraffin candles for hardness, opacity and easier release from the mold.
Blends, soy-paraffin, gel and beeswax
Soy and paraffin can be mixed; mold hold improves but the 100% vegetable claim is lost. Workshops using a ready blend (soy-paraffin) set the balance in the lab. Gel candle is for clear decorative containers; its working temperature is markedly higher than classic soy/paraffin, and flammable decorations must stay away from the wick. Beeswax, with its own aroma and density, calls for a separate wick test.
Container soy, mold soy
Container soy wax is not suitable for every silicone mold. Use Soya Wax 50 for glass candles; for detailed molds choose a mold-suitable base, paraffin or a stearic-reinforced recipe. Read the intended use in the product description and pour a small test.
Wax choice by project
| Candle to make | Suitable starting base | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Glass / jar scented candle | Soya Wax 50 (container) | Low–medium pour temperature, 24 hours+ cure, wick matched to diameter |
| Pillar / column | Paraffin (+ stearic if desired) | Hardness, release from the mold, wick for the candle diameter |
| Detailed silicone mold | Mold-suitable paraffin or blend | Detail filling, controlled cooling, centered wick |
| Clear decorative | Gel candle | High heat, no flammable decorations, heat-resistant container |
FAQs
Does soy wax work in every mold?
No. Soya Wax 50 is a soft container base. Shrinkage and a soft release can occur in a silicone mold. For mold work use paraffin, stearic or a soy/blend marked for molds.
Which is more economical?
Paraffin generally has a lower unit cost. Soy is chosen for scent performance, longer burn and a vegetable preference. In the workshop, wick waste and rejects determine the total cost.
Can soy and paraffin be mixed?
Yes, blends are made for mold hold. Lock the ratio on a small sample. The natural claim is lost; do not move to series without a recorded recipe.
Is stearic acid added to soy wax?
Rufus stearic acid is positioned as a hardener in paraffin candles. Adding it to soy can firm the structure but compromises the vegetable character. Try it first in paraffin mold work.
Choose Materials From Stock
You can order the product groups in this guide by quantity from the Rufus Concept catalog.