This is a very informative and balanced discussion of liquid paraffin and solid wax candles by very knowledgeable vergers. As President of CM Almy which is a major producer of liquid paraffin candles I can vouch for their popularity - ours are used in over 40,000 churches, and counting, for the reasons listed by David. Yet traditional , solid wax candles still have a place in churches, too. I recommend this video for vergers, altar guild members and clergy. Thanks to David and Margaret!
I love the explanation of the differences between the candles. One trick we use to help acolytes light our beeswax candles easily is to put clear nail polish on the wick. It is flammable, but just a little on the wick makes the candle come to life quickly. So, if you hear someone at the church ask if we’ve polished the candles, that’s what they mean - they have put clear nail polish on the wick.
I have to say that our acolytes are big fans of the liquid paraffin candles -- at least the acolytes with experience carrying the old beeswax candles are. The reason? No wax in the hair, on the cotta, even on the shoes! The liquid wax candles are also much appreciated by the Altar Guild and the church cleaners for the same reason: no spilled melted wax. Another parish gave us a liquid wax paschal candle and set of Advent candles that they did want to use, and while I appreciate the aesthetic of beeswax candles shrinking from use, the financial saving of a new wax paschal candle each year is considerable. We do keep our old beeswax paschal candles around, however, so they can be lit directly from the New Fire -- something I would not want to try with a liquid paraffin candle. One additional downside on the beeswax paschal candle is that occasionally (only once in my own experience) one will not burn evenly and will burn through the side of the candle, spilling hot wax everywhere -- a problem avoided with the liquid paraffin paschal candle. Thank you for an excellent, informative -- and thought-provoking video!!
Geoffrey - I can very much see that! No wax in the hair is a big plus. This is such a personal issue, if you are a long time church person (or not!), do you like the "real" wax candles or can you stand the "fake" oil candles? At least that's the discussion I hear so much. My personal (and it is very personal) preference is wax - mainly for the reasons that Margaret and David talked about in that wax shows the span of time, and they change shape during seasons. I so much appreciate your comments, so keep them coming!! - Scott
This is a very informative and balanced discussion of liquid paraffin and solid wax candles by very knowledgeable vergers. As President of CM Almy which is a major producer of liquid paraffin candles I can vouch for their popularity - ours are used in over 40,000 churches, and counting, for the reasons listed by David. Yet traditional , solid wax candles still have a place in churches, too. I recommend this video for vergers, altar guild members and clergy. Thanks to David and Margaret!
I love the explanation of the differences between the candles. One trick we use to help acolytes light our beeswax candles easily is to put clear nail polish on the wick. It is flammable, but just a little on the wick makes the candle come to life quickly. So, if you hear someone at the church ask if we’ve polished the candles, that’s what they mean - they have put clear nail polish on the wick.
That's a GREAT idea - I'm asking our Altar Guild to give this a try! - Scott
Most Informative. As a beekeeper a strongly favour bees Wax candles. Am I also old being fashioned?
I have to say that our acolytes are big fans of the liquid paraffin candles -- at least the acolytes with experience carrying the old beeswax candles are. The reason? No wax in the hair, on the cotta, even on the shoes! The liquid wax candles are also much appreciated by the Altar Guild and the church cleaners for the same reason: no spilled melted wax.
Another parish gave us a liquid wax paschal candle and set of Advent candles that they did want to use, and while I appreciate the aesthetic of beeswax candles shrinking from use, the financial saving of a new wax paschal candle each year is considerable. We do keep our old beeswax paschal candles around, however, so they can be lit directly from the New Fire -- something I would not want to try with a liquid paraffin candle. One additional downside on the beeswax paschal candle is that occasionally (only once in my own experience) one will not burn evenly and will burn through the side of the candle, spilling hot wax everywhere -- a problem avoided with the liquid paraffin paschal candle.
Thank you for an excellent, informative -- and thought-provoking video!!
Geoffrey - I can very much see that! No wax in the hair is a big plus. This is such a personal issue, if you are a long time church person (or not!), do you like the "real" wax candles or can you stand the "fake" oil candles? At least that's the discussion I hear so much. My personal (and it is very personal) preference is wax - mainly for the reasons that Margaret and David talked about in that wax shows the span of time, and they change shape during seasons. I so much appreciate your comments, so keep them coming!! - Scott