Soy wax flakes are a popular candle making supply used by hobbyists and professional candle makers alike. When working with soy wax, it’s important to understand how it is measured and what the equivalent amounts are in different units of measurement. Specifically, many crafters wonder how many ounces of soy wax flakes are contained in one pound. This article will provide a thorough explainer on soy wax measurement equivalents, focusing on how many ounces are in a pound of soy wax flakes. We’ll discuss the reasons why soy wax may be sold by the pound, provide ounce equivalents, and give examples of how to convert measurement units. Read on for everything you need to know about the relationship between pounds and ounces when working with soy wax flakes.
Why Is Soy Wax Sold by the Pound?
Soy wax is commonly sold by the pound by wholesale suppliers and candle making retailers. There are a few key reasons why soy wax flakes are sold by the pound:
- Candle making recipes are often measured in pounds.
- Pricing by the pound allows for bulk discounts.
- A pound is an easy standard unit for shipping and inventory.
Candle making instructionals will frequently call for melting down a specific number of pounds of soy wax flakes. Measuring by the pound makes it easy to scale recipes up or down as needed.
Selling soy wax by the pound also allows suppliers to offer bulk pricing discounts. The more pounds you buy, the lower the cost per pound. This rewards high volume purchases.
Finally, a pound is a convenient standard unit for shipping, storage and taking inventory. Soy wax flakes are lightweight so suppliers can easily pack and ship orders measured in pounds. The pound increments also make it simple to store bulk soy wax inventory.
How Many Ounces in a Pound of Soy Wax Flakes?
Now that we’ve covered why soy wax is commonly sold by the pound, let’s get right to the heart of the matter – how many ounces of soy wax flakes are contained in one pound?
The answer is: There are 16 ounces (oz) in 1 pound (lb) of soy wax flakes.
This standard conversion applies to any type of wax flakes, not just soy wax. It’s important to remember that:
- 1 lb = 16 oz
- 1 oz = 28.35 grams
To break this down further:
| 1 pound | = 16 ounces |
| 1 ounce | = 28.35 grams |
So if you purchase a 10 pound box of soy wax flakes, you would receive 10 pounds x 16 ounces per pound = 160 ounces of flakes total.
This standard measurement conversion can help you quickly determine how many ounces of soy wax you have on hand or how many ounces a certain recipe requires.
Converting Pounds to Ounces of Soy Wax
Now let’s go through some examples of how to take a measurement in pounds of soy wax and convert it to ounces.
Converting a Single Pound to Ounces
If you need to know how many ounces are in just 1 pound of soy wax flakes, you simply use the conversion:
- 1 lb = 16 oz
So:
- 1 lb of soy wax flakes = 16 oz of soy wax flakes
Converting Multiple Pounds to Ounces
For conversions greater than 1 pound, you multiply the number of pounds by 16 ounces.
For example:
- 2 lbs of soy wax flakes = 2 x 16 oz = 32 oz of soy wax flakes
- 3.5 lbs of soy wax flakes = 3.5 x 16 oz = 56 oz of soy wax flakes
- 12 lbs of soy wax flakes = 12 x 16 oz = 192 oz of soy wax flakes
To recap, you arrive at the ounce measurement by taking the pounds and multiplying by 16 oz per 1 lb.
Converting Ounces to Pounds
You can also convert in the other direction – taking an ounce measurement and calculating how many pounds it equals.
To do this, you divide the total number of ounces by 16 oz per 1 lb.
For example:
- 32 oz of soy wax flakes = 32 oz / 16 oz per lb = 2 lbs of soy wax flakes
- 80 oz of soy wax flakes = 80 oz / 16 oz per lb = 5 lbs of soy wax flakes
So if you know the total ounces of soy wax flakes you want to end up with, you can determine how many pounds to purchase by dividing the ounces by 16.
Why Accurate Measurement Matters
Now that you understand how to convert between pounds and ounces of soy wax, let’s discuss why getting the measurement right matters.
Having the right amount of soy wax is critical for several reasons:
- Following recipes accurately – Using the ounce or pound measurements specified in candle making recipes results in the safest and best burning candles. Too much or too little wax can impact performance.
- Not wasting materials and money – Buying and melting more soy wax than you need for a project results in waste and excess cost. Running short on wax can ruin a batch.
- Achieving proper fragrance percentages – An ideal candle has between 5-10% fragrance oil by weight. You need the right amount of wax to stay within the target fragrance ratio.
- Completing wick testing – Wick testing procedures require very precise wax weights. Too much or too little wax will not allow for evaluating different wick types properly.
In summary, carefully measuring soy wax flakes both in pounds and ounces is a key candle making skill. Follow recipes closely and make conversions accurately to get the most from your soy wax.
Tips for Measuring Soy Wax Flakes
Here are some handy tips to keep in mind when measuring out soy wax flakes:
- Use a kitchen scale – This allows you to measure ounces and pounds easily. Look for a scale that can toggle between units.
- Level off measurements – When using measuring cups, level off the wax flakes with a straight edge to get an accurate reading.
- Measure by weight – For wax, measuring by weight in ounces or pounds is better than relying on volume measurements like cups.
- Store wax flakes properly – Keep wax stored airtight and away from heat and humidity to prevent changes in weight.
- Write down conversions – Keep a cheat sheet with handy pound-to-ounce conversions to simplify measurements.
Follow these tips to remove the guesswork when working with soy wax flakes. Taking the time to measure properly will produce better quality finished candles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a difference between soy wax flakes and soy wax beads?
Soy wax flakes and soy wax beads are very similar – the main difference is in the shape and size. Flakes are irregularly shaped and sized chunks. Beads have a more uniform small pellet shape. Both flakes and beads melt down in the same way, so they can be used interchangeably in candle recipes without issue.
How should I store soy wax?
It’s best to store soy wax flakes and beads in a tightly sealed container away from heat, moisture and direct sunlight. A cool, dark cupboard or closet is an ideal storage spot. Soy wax can absorb moisture and smells from the environment, so keeping it sealed preserves quality.
Will I get exactly 16 oz when I measure 1 lb of wax flakes?
There may be a very slight difference in weight depending on factors like the humidity level and calibration of your scale. For general purposes, the conversion of 1 lb = 16 oz of soy wax is reliable and accurate in most cases. But for precision candle making, always re-check your scale to confirm the exact measurement.
The Bottom Line
When working with soy wax flakes for candle making, it’s important to understand pound and ounce equivalents. The standard conversion is:
- 1 lb = 16 oz
Knowing this simple relationship allows you to easily convert between pounds of soy wax and ounces in recipes and measurements. Taking the time to measure out the proper wax weight will result in high quality candles true to your formulas.
So whether you have 5 lbs of wax and need to know how many ounces that equals, or your recipe calls for 40 oz and you need to buy the right quantity in pounds, use the 1 lb = 16 oz conversion to quickly work between units of pounds and ounces. Understanding these common soy wax measurements will make you a master at candle recipes.