Paraffin wax is a solid form of paraffin, a specific type of alkane hydrocarbon. It is used in a wide range of everyday applications, most notably in common candles. This product has no taste and no smell, and is a clean white color. It burns steadily and easily, making it ideal for candles, although it does not burn as hot as beeswax. It also sees a great deal of use in industrial applications, and is present in everything from the Lunar Rover to drywall. It is also found in many foods, where it is used as a preservative, so is present in many ingredient lists, and even in some recipes. The following are several applications of paraffin in life.
Candle Making
When most people think of wax, in any form, the wax they generally think of is probably a paraffin wax. It is one of the most plentiful and multi-use waxes used today. A by-product of the crude oil refining process, in its raw form, it is a white, odorless, tasteless, “waxy” solid, with a typical melting point between about 110°F to 150°F, and while it’s very inert, it burns really well. Pretty much any type of candle can be made with this material. The melting point is the primary determinant of the type of candle you can make with it.
Cooking
This sustance is used in many different ways of cooking. It is a chemical preserver that can make foods last longer and prevent spoil. It is used with fruits, vegetables, desserts and candies. All cooking with paraffin entails is melting the wax and incorporating it with other ingredients in order to keep certain foods from melting at room temperature. It also gives a textured, shiny appearance to other foods.
Treatments
Paraffin wax treatments are luxurious spa treatments that are intended to moisturize and soften the skin. Its treatments are most often applied to the hands and feet as components of manicures and pedicures respectively. It is unlike more common spa wax that is used for hair removal on the face and body. That type of wax is much more viscous and bonds to the skin.
Because it is a soft wax, it melts at a lower than normal temperature. This means that the skin can be submerged in the wax without causing burning or blistering. Spa specialists melt blocks of paraffin wax in special vats. During treatments, beauticians have their clients dip their hands or feet into the melted wax one or more times to coat the skin in a generous layer. The hands or feet are then wrapped in plastic, or some other non-absorbent material and left to “soak” in the layer of wax for up to half an hour.
Food Additive
Like many waxes, the product is edible, although it has no real taste or scent. It is added to foods as a preservative and to make the food more attractive. Many chocolates and sweets, for example, contain paraffin wax to give the candy a shiny coating. The wax also stops moisture from leaving the coated candy, keeping the candy moist and less likely to spoil in unrefrigerated conditions. If using this material in home baking or confectionary, it is important to make sure you purchase food-grade paraffin wax, as wax used for candles or industrial applications may have additives which should not be ingested.
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