Difference between wax and paraffin candles. How to distinguish paraffin candles from wax candles

Sadko 09-08-2004 12:16

Gentlemen! Can anyone tell me why the stocks are impregnated with wax? Is it possible to soak it in paraffin?

beyond 09-08-2004 23:46

There are two assumptions.


As far as I remember, the basis for impregnation is still linseed oil, and wax is added in a small amount.

Sadko 10-08-2004 10:41

quote: Originally posted by beyond:
There are two assumptions.
1. Wax is still a natural preservative and chemically. The composition is very different from paraffin.
2. All modern writers rewrite the works of three or four founders, but in those days paraffin was not yet made.
As far as I remember, the basis for impregnation is still linseed oil, and wax is added in a small amount.

I soaked the butt (oak, I really like its design) first with a German stain (if translated correctly, just based on linseed oil), the instructions said “on a dry, grease-free surface”, three times with polishing with a felt wheel at low speeds. Then melt the paraffin onto a warm surface, 40-60 degrees, and into the oven for 10 minutes at a temperature of 40 degrees. Paraffin does not burn and is completely absorbed. After drying (24 hours), polish with a soft cloth. The result is EXCELLENT! It looks good, and 30 minutes under running water is like water off a duck's back, it doesn't stick to your hands, it doesn't stain your clothes, it has a matte (!) shine. I have already impregnated it in this way five times, the tree “takes” all the paraffin provided to it. Each time the butt itself becomes a little darker, nobler, more contrasting and the pattern appears more clearly.

1. How much more paraffin can he be given? I don’t mind paraffin, I wouldn’t spoil it.
2. Will paraffin show itself after some time? I've read that synthetic oils destroy wood.

beyond 10-08-2004 22:00

quote: Originally posted by Sadko:

I just have some questions/concerns:
1.How much more paraffin can he be given? I don’t mind paraffin, I wouldn’t spoil it.
2.Will paraffin show itself after some time? I've read that synthetic oils destroy wood.

The fact is that linseed oil crystallizes over time, after which the wood is protected and the oil does not escape back. I don’t know how things work with paraffin. But if you are satisfied with the result, then why not stop?

Glam 11-08-2004 20:19

I first soaked it in oil, and then, just like in the book, I soaked it in wax and turpentine...

tex 17-08-2004 03:07

The thing is that paraffin, unlike natural beeswax, is unsafe in contact with skin. Although it is more accessible and cheaper. Paraffin seems to contain some kind of carcinogens and who knows what else, let the doctors correct it.
And I’m going to polish the bed not only with calloused hands, but also with my neck, my tender neck, in some places.

In temples you can find wax and paraffin candles. All other things being equal, wax candles are preferable. Why this is so, and how to distinguish one from the other - I will tell you below.

Natural vs artificial

Wax is a product produced by bees to build their honeycomb cells. Special glands located in the bee body are responsible for the production of wax.

In contrast, paraffin is a synthetic substance obtained mainly from oil, a mixture of hydrocarbons. When producing candles, chemical wax substitutes, fragrances and other components are added to paraffin.

That is, unlike wax, paraffin is an artificial chemical substance. From here you can see the difference between wax and paraffin candles. Firstly, paraffin candles burn for a maximum of 15 minutes, while wax candles burn 2-3 times longer. In addition, the wax candle does not go out, but burns out to the end. Also, if you look closely, we will notice that paraffin and wax candles are not similar in appearance. Paraffin candles are light yellow, while wax candles are darker. And as they burn, they can gradually turn orange.

The candles on the left are suspiciously light. Most likely paraffin. The candles on the right are made of wax.

Smell when burning

Beeswax candles have a rich, warm honey scent.

Currently, candles made from natural wax are included in the list of natural scented candles. This is due to the fact that the aroma of wax candles essentially comes from the material itself, and is not introduced by extraneous additives, as, for example, with paraffin candles.

Physical properties

The differences between wax and paraffin candles are easily noticeable when performing physical actions on them. If we try to bend a wax candle, it will remain intact, only slightly changing its shape. A paraffin candle will fall into pieces during a similar procedure. In addition, a wax candle can be easily cut with a knife, but a paraffin candle will again fall apart or crumble.

Almost the only value of paraffin candles is their shelf life. Unlike wax candles, which become covered with a white coating over time, paraffin candles do not change color or shape over time. This occurs due to the chemical composition of paraffin candles. Some also see the value of paraffin candles in their cost. As a rule, the donation price for a paraffin candle in a temple is 2-3 times less than for a wax candle.

However, this forgets the significant harm that paraffin candles bring to people and even to the temple. You need to know that cheap paraffin candles are produced artificially from ceresin or Austrian resin, as it is also called. Smoke, soot and fumes from such candles stain iconostases and affect the health of Christians. The reason for this is that ceresin is essentially concentrated oil. According to geologists, poorly purified varieties of ceresin have a strong smell of oil, which is very reminiscent of the smell of kerosene. From the soot and burning of such candles, a person gets a headache, sometimes severe, which can turn into nausea or dizziness.

Doctors have found that the smoke of paraffin candles affects not only the physical but also the psychological health of people, which various psychics like to use. Thus, subconscious fear may appear from the stable soot of paraffin candles.

Holy Fathers about the church candle

We looked at the differences between wax candles and paraffin candles. It remains to remember what we know about candles from the saints and apostles. The 72nd and 73rd Apostolic Canons directly indicate the constant use of wax in the church life of the first centuries:

If any clergyman or layman steals wax or oil from the holy church: let him be excommunicated from church communion, and let him add fivefold to what he took.

Later, a 15th century saint writes about the need to light wax candles:

Wax, as the purest substance, signifies our purity and the sincerity of the offering; wax, as a substance on which objects can be imprinted, means the seal or sign of the cross, which is placed on us in baptism and confirmation; wax, as a soft and flexible substance, means our obedience and willingness to repent of our sinful life; wax collected from fragrant flowers means the grace of the Holy Spirit, wax made up of many flowers means the offering made by all Christians; wax, as a burnt substance, means our burning (that is, our nature being cleansed by divine fire); and finally, the wax in which the fire burns, and this very light, constantly burning, means the union and strength of our mutual love and peace” (see New Tablet. Ch. 134. P. 40).

But here is the opinion of practically our contemporaries, the bishops who served in the Russian Empire before the Revolution of 1917:

The Holy Synod on May 4, 1882 determined that churches should only use candles made of pure beeswax.

In conclusion, I would like to say that the material of the candle is not the main thing in prayer. And if the prayer is done sincerely, then it does not matter whether a paraffin candle burns in front of the icon or a wax one. Don't forget about the main thing, and the rest will follow.

Many people, when purchasing candles, want to reliably know their origin. And this is quite reasonable. After all, it is wax, and not paraffin, that is a natural, harmless substance, and everyone wants to protect themselves from counterfeiting.

What are wax and paraffin

Wax is a product produced by bees to build honeycomb cells. Special glands located in the bee body are responsible for the production of wax. This material does not dissolve in water, but, for example, gasoline is a good solvent for it.

Wax

Paraffin– a synthetic substance obtained mainly from petroleum, a mixture of hydrocarbons. When producing candles, chemical wax substitutes, fragrances and other components are added to paraffin.

Paraffin

Comparison

You can already visually determine how candles made from one and the other material differ from each other. The wax product has a yellow tint. The color of such a candle can be brighter or darker (yellow-brown). Paraffin itself is white and translucent. However, paraffin candles are often tinted, and their color palette is not limited in any way.

You can also identify the difference between a wax candle and a paraffin candle experimentally, which is not difficult to do. So:

1. The wax does not burn without leaving a residue. The candle melts from it, and large drops flow down its sides as it burns. Paraffin “melts” without a trace, filling the air with combustion products.
2. If notes of honey aroma are detected when burning a candle, then the product is made of wax. The smell when burning a paraffin candle is pungent.
3. Wax and paraffin differ in their ability to form soot. So, holding glass over a lit wax candle, you can note the absence of carbon deposits on it. The flame of a paraffin candle will leave a characteristic dark spot on the glass surface.
4. You can try bending a candle. The wax will remain intact, although it will change shape. Paraffin - will abruptly fall apart and break.
5. It is not difficult to determine the difference between a wax and paraffin candle with the help of a knife. Pliable wax can be cut easily and neatly. Paraffin, being a hard material, will crumble from such an impact.
6. Wax candles, being unused for a long time, can become covered with a white coating. The shelf life and storage conditions do not affect paraffin products in any way. Such candles always remain in their original condition.

We purchased candles from various churches and a honey store and conducted an experiment to see which candles were truly wax.

Unfortunately, nowadays we meet 100% wax candles good quality is extremely difficult. All over the world, preference is given to paraffin candles; they are cheap, but this is where all the advantages of paraffin candles end.

Paraffin is a petroleum derivative; in addition to paraffin, the candle contains a large set of chemical wax substitutes, stearin and fragrances. When burned, such candles release toxic substances, and paraffin itself is a carcinogen when burned. Now think about what the candles we like to light on birthday cakes are made of? But they drip into the cake when it burns.

Candles made from real raw beeswax are not only safe, but also healthy! These candles include propolis, which gives a special smell to candles and, when burned, evaporates, cleans and disinfects the air in the room and has a beneficial effect on the entire human body.

How can you tell wax candles from paraffin candles?

Participants in the experiment:

1. Control candle - a candle made by hand by the owner of the Old Believer Church from raw apiary wax of our bees in Russian Taurus. (Read in the previous article making our wax candles)

2. Factory-made wax candle from purified wax, purchased in the church on the 1905 square.

3. Half-wax candle from the church on the square in 1905 (The percentage of wax content in the candles turned out to be low).

4. A “wax” candle from a honey store, as it turned out in the experiment, is paraffin with other wax substitutes and fragrance.

5. Festive paraffin candle from the church on Goncharny Lane.

6. A Jerusalem candle, burned by holy fire, bought in the same church, turned out to be 100% paraffin.

The experiment showed:

1) By smell:

1. Our raw wax candle has a distinct natural wax aroma that is noticeable when the candle is held to your nose.

2. The factory candle has a very faint waxy smell, practically no smell, since it is made from purified wax, from which all the impurities that give such a unique aroma to our candles have been removed.

3. The semi-wax candle is odorless.

4. “Wax” from a honey store has no smell.

5. Paraffin candle is odorless.

6. Jerusalem paraffin is also odorless.

2) To the touch:

1. Our candle is a little rough, pleasant to the touch, waxy.

2. Factory wax candle is smoother, but also has a natural feel.

3. Semi-waxy is less pleasant to the touch, more like paraffin.

4. “Wax” from a honey store is unpleasant to the touch, also more reminiscent of paraffin

5. and 6. Paraffin to the touch like soap, very unpleasant, greasy.

3) When cutting with a knife:

1. Our candle is easy to cut, like plasticine, and does not crumble when cut.

2. The factory spark plug behaves the same way

3. Semi-wax is a little more difficult to cut, it is harder.

4. “Wax” from a honey store cuts normally.

5. Paraffin is cut in the same way as semi-wax. Apparently, in addition to paraffin, the composition contains other wax substitutes that make the candle closer in properties to wax.

6. The Jerusalem candle behaves like 100% paraffin, crumbles when cut, there is no plasticity.

4. When burning:

1. Our candle burns evenly, does not flow, (does not cry), and melts when burning, forming a drop of wax inside the candle. During the combustion process it periodically crackles. Burns slowly. Gives a very faint waxy smell. The candle is easily placed on a drop of wax on a glass surface.

2. The factory light is also on.

3. Semi-wax burns a little faster.

4. “Wax” from a honey store burns very quickly. It was not possible to place it on the surface; the drop instantly froze, indicating a paraffin origin and greasy to the touch.

5. Paraffin burns quickly, flows, but there is a droplet when melting, which also indicates the presence of other impurities in it besides paraffin. Does not smell when burning. It was also not possible to light the candle.

6. Jerusalema behaves like pure paraffin, burns very quickly, as if evaporating in the air, without forming droplets. Does not smell when burning. It was not possible to light the candle.

5. If you hold glass over the candle flame:

1. Our candle does not produce soot or produces a very slight, barely noticeable darkening of the glass.

2. Factory spark plug also.

3. Semi-wax smokes glass moderately

4. “Wax” from a honey store smokes the glass a lot, it turns black

5. Paraffin one smokes a lot, just like the previous candle.

6. Jerusalem paraffin also produces a lot of soot on the glass.

6. When extinguishing a candle:

1. Our candle gives a natural scent, sometimes pleasantly waxy.

2. Factory also

3. Semi-waxy gives a weak, unpleasant paraffin odor.

4. “Wax” from a honey store gives a strong unpleasant paraffin smell

5. and 6. Even more unpleasant strong odor.

7. Plasticity of a candle:

1. Our candle is very plastic, it bends easily, but does not break or crumble.

2. Factory also

3. Semi-wax also

4. “Wax” from a honey store is quite plastic, but when broken it crumbles

5. Paraffin plastic, indicates other impurities

6. Jerusalem immediately breaks and crumbles, there is no plasticity, indicating 100% paraffin.

You can now buy natural wax candles made from raw wax in Yekaterinburg in our online store.