Candle Making Temperature Guide
The complete reference for wax melting points, pouring temperatures, and fragrance addition temps. Bookmark this page — you'll use it every time you pour.
Melt Point
The temperature where solid wax becomes liquid
Add Fragrance
When to stir in fragrance oil for best scent throw
Pour Temp
The ideal temperature to pour wax into containers
Soy Wax (464)
Melt Point
113–119°F (45–48°C)
Add Fragrance
175–185°F (79–85°C)
Add Dye
175–185°F (79–85°C)
Pour Temperature
120–140°F (49–60°C)
Most popular container wax. Pour cooler (120–130°F) for smooth tops. Higher pours can cause frosting.
Do not exceed 200°F (93°C)
Soy Wax (444)
Melt Point
119–125°F (48–52°C)
Add Fragrance
175–185°F (79–85°C)
Add Dye
175–185°F (79–85°C)
Pour Temperature
130–150°F (54–66°C)
Harder soy blend, good for pillars and tarts. Slightly higher pour temp than 464.
Do not exceed 200°F (93°C)
Coconut Wax (C-3)
Melt Point
100–107°F (38–42°C)
Add Fragrance
160–170°F (71–77°C)
Add Dye
160–170°F (71–77°C)
Pour Temperature
120–140°F (49–60°C)
Premium luxury wax. Excellent scent throw. Low melt point — pour at lower range for best results.
Do not exceed 190°F (88°C)
Coconut Soy Blend
Melt Point
105–115°F (41–46°C)
Add Fragrance
170–180°F (77–82°C)
Add Dye
170–180°F (77–82°C)
Pour Temperature
120–145°F (49–63°C)
Combines smooth coconut finish with soy structure. Very popular for containers.
Do not exceed 195°F (91°C)
Paraffin (IGI 4630)
Melt Point
126–133°F (52–56°C)
Add Fragrance
180–185°F (82–85°C)
Add Dye
180–185°F (82–85°C)
Pour Temperature
170–180°F (77–82°C)
Container paraffin with great scent throw. Higher pour temps than soy.
Do not exceed 210°F (99°C)
Paraffin (IGI 4625)
Melt Point
130–135°F (54–57°C)
Add Fragrance
180–185°F (82–85°C)
Add Dye
180–185°F (82–85°C)
Pour Temperature
170–180°F (77–82°C)
Single-pour paraffin for containers. Smooth finish without need for second pour.
Do not exceed 210°F (99°C)
Beeswax
Melt Point
144–149°F (62–65°C)
Add Fragrance
160–170°F (71–77°C)
Add Dye
Not recommended
Pour Temperature
150–170°F (66–77°C)
Natural golden color and honey scent. Do not overheat — degrades above 185°F. Limited fragrance load (3–6%).
Do not exceed 185°F (85°C)
Palm Wax
Melt Point
133–142°F (56–61°C)
Add Fragrance
185–195°F (85–91°C)
Add Dye
185–195°F (85–91°C)
Pour Temperature
190–200°F (88–93°C)
Creates unique crystalline/feathered patterns. Must pour HOT for crystal formation.
Do not exceed 210°F (99°C)
Gel Wax
Melt Point
180–200°F (82–93°C)
Add Fragrance
200–210°F (93–99°C)
Add Dye
200–210°F (93–99°C)
Pour Temperature
200–220°F (93–104°C)
Transparent candle medium. Only use non-polar fragrances rated for gel. Requires heat-safe containers.
Do not exceed 230°F (110°C)
Temperature Troubleshooting
Common problems caused by wrong temperatures — and how to fix them.
❌ Rough / bumpy tops
Cause: Poured too hot or cooled too quickly
✅ Fix: Lower pour temperature by 5–10°F. Ensure room is 70–75°F. Try a heat gun to smooth after cooling.
❌ Frosting (white crystalline coating)
Cause: Natural characteristic of soy wax, worsened by hot pours
✅ Fix: Pour at the lower end of the range (120–125°F for soy). Preheat containers. This is cosmetic only.
❌ Sinkholes around wick
Cause: Wax shrinks as it cools, pulling away from wick
✅ Fix: Poke relief holes after first pour sets. Do a top-off pour at 5–10°F below original pour temp.
❌ Wet spots (pull-away from glass)
Cause: Uneven cooling, temperature fluctuations
✅ Fix: Preheat jars to 100–120°F. Pour at lower temps. Cool in a warm room (75°F) away from drafts.
❌ Poor scent throw
Cause: Fragrance added at wrong temperature or not stirred enough
✅ Fix: Add fragrance oil at the recommended temp. Stir continuously for 2 full minutes. Allow 1–2 week cure time.
❌ Cracking
Cause: Cooled too fast, especially in cold environments
✅ Fix: Cool candles slowly at room temperature. Avoid cold rooms, open windows, or placing on cold surfaces.
🔥 Pro Tips for Temperature Control
- 1.Use a digital thermometer — infrared guns are fast but probe thermometers are more accurate for wax.
- 2.Never use a microwave to melt wax. It heats unevenly and can create hot spots that cause fires.
- 3.Use a double boiler or wax melter for even, controlled heating. Direct heat scorches wax.
- 4.Preheat your containers to 100–120°F to prevent wet spots and improve adhesion.
- 5.Stir fragrance for 2 minutes — not 30 seconds. Full incorporation = better scent throw.
- 6.Cool slowly at room temperature (70–75°F). Avoid drafts, open windows, or AC vents.
- 7.Record your temperatures for every batch. Small differences can dramatically change results.
Related Tools
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