Types Of Candles

Today we are going to be talking about the different types of candles you might come across.

When I began researching candles, and how to make them, I already knew about most of these different types. Some of them though, are new to me and I haven't yet seen them anywhere besides pictures. 

1. Votive candles

Votive candles are something that you are likely to be familiar with. You can find them almost anywhere that candles are sold. They come in a variety of colors and fragrances. Typically, they are round and only a few inches tall. They do not generally come in a container, but they do need to be burned in some kind of container. This is because the type of wax that is used generally gets completely melted while the candle in burning, and ends up essentially filling out to the edges of the container. If you were to burn these simply on a plate, you would end up with a mess.

2. Tealights

These are another common sight. Tealights are small, round, and generally come in a small, thin metal container so that they are self contained. My understanding is that tealights were originally used underneath tea kettles as a means of keeping the tea warm. They actually have many uses, some even unexpected: they can be used to keep other foods warm as well, they can be used as mood lighting (even when set afloat in water allegedly), and can be used with certain types of warmers to warm essential oils as a means of releasing the scent throughout the room. Tealights are generally white in color, and odorless, though sometimes come in certain scents such as vanilla. 

3. Pillar candles

Pillar candles look just like the name describes-- pillars. These candles come in many different shapes and sizes covering a large range. When I think of pillar candles, I typically think of tall and round, but they could be short and even hexagon in shape. They come in many colors and fragrances as well. Because they are not in containers, you generally place them on some sort of appropriate plate or other plate like surface in order to burn them. These are often made out of palm wax, or a palm wax blend including soy or paraffin wax. Palm wax is more brittle than other types, which allows for the pillar candle to burn cleanly and not melt into a big mess.

4. Container candles

Container candles come in containers. These really have a wide range, and can come in so many different forms. Anything from mason jars and jelly jars to metal tins and more! Like the many other kinds of candles, they come in many different shapes, colors, and fragrances. The types of wax used for container candles really runs the gammon to and includes soy, paraffin, palm, and gel wax.

5. Tapers

Taper candles require some kind of holder that is intended for the size of the end of the taper. These are sometimes also called dipped candles, although they can also be made from molds depending on the method used. These candles also range in size and color, but all of them are smaller at the tip and larger at the base. 

6. Rolled candles

Until researching candles, I never knew that these existed. Now that I know though, they seem really cool! These candles are most often made of beeswax, and are made by literally rolling a sheet of beeswax on itself until you basically end up with the shape of a cylinder. They are beautiful and unique!

7. Molded candles

Molded candles are any sort of free standing candle (you would need to place it on a safe surface to burn it) that is made by using some sort of mold. Types of molds vary and include plastic, metal, and silicone. You can even have a pillar candle that was made from a mold, so candles aren't limited to merely one category. These types of candles can be really interesting because the possibilities are endless and are really only limited by human creativity. Okay, of course you have to work withing the abilities of the type of wax, but still! Options are limitless.