Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do you measure percentages for adding color and/or fragrance, etc.?
A. Here is how you do percentage calculations. Example: You want to add 5% color dye to 10 lb of wax. 10 lbs x 0.05%= 0.005 lb (when multiplying by a percentage, be sure to either use the percent key after 0.05 or add two decimal places in front of the 0.05 so that you multiply 0.0005.) Since you can't measure 0.005 lb easily, you will want to convert to grams or ounces. To convert to ounces: multiply 0.005 x 16= 0.08 ounces. This is still a very small amount, so you may want to convert to grams so you can use measuring spoons or drops. To convert to grams, multiply by 454, which is the number of grams per pound. 0.005 lb x 454= 2.27 grams. Since you need to use 2.27 grams of dye to color a 10 lb batch, you should use 1/2 teaspoon plus about 9 drops. If your batch is small, or if the dye amount is small, it is often easier to convert to grams so that you can use measuring spoons or drops. The numbers can easily be changed from 5% to 6% or 7%. It is important to do the math and correctly measure out your fragrance and/or color. If you don't, you will end up spending a lot of money that you do not need to spend. Bottom line: Your business will not thrive. It is not the single penny that keeps us from going forward, it is the single penny added up many times. Just decide on what amount you want to use. That is sometimes the hard part. If you want a true 1 ounce per pound, I think the percentage rate would be 6.25%. If you do the math you will quickly realize that 6% equals 3.84 ounces. So, you will not be using a true 1 ounce per pound.
THE TOTAL BATCH SIZE X PERCENTAGE OF FRAGRANCE = AMOUNT OF FRAGRANCE TO USE.
Recommended:
1 oz of fragrance per pound of wax = 6.25%
4 lbs x 6.25% = 0.25 x 16 (convert to ounces per pound to get ounces of fragrance) = 4 ounces fragrance per four (4) pounds of wax or 1 oz per pound.
Just remember to be CONSISTENT. However you decide to measure, continue to do it the same way. Do not change in midstream. If you measure by weight, keep measuring by weight. If you measure by volume, continue. If you measure by scale, then continue. You get it. CONSISTENCY IS THE KEY HERE. You will get very different results if you measure by weight one time and by scale another time. I found a stainless measuring container for measuring liquor at a bar. (They are really serious about measuring their liquor in exact amounts. Same reason.) I did my math. Measured by grams. Poured into the measuring container. Made a little indent into side the measuring container. And wala! I can pour fragrance from the bottles into the measuring container and in a very short time I have my fragrance in my hot wax and ready to go. I use this method consistently. Therefore my candles are 'ALWAYS' fragranced the same.
Getting this down will really make a big difference, especially as your production continues to increase. A consistent method of production is very important.
This may prove to be helpful:
1 ounce = 28 grams
1 pound = 454 grams = 16 ounces
1 tablespoon = 15 grams = about 1/2 ounce
1 teaspoon = 5 grams = about 1/5 of an ounce
1/2 teaspoon = about 2 grams
1/4 teaspoon = about 1 gram
1 gram = about 33 drops
Q. Are there really any differences in soy waxes? After all, aren't all soy candle waxes just straight soy wax?
A. Yes, all soy candle waxes begin from straight soy wax, but that is where the similarities stop. The quality of a good soy candle wax depends on how it was manufactured. There are a lot of waxes on the U.S. market that come from all over and are not manufactured with quality or consistent procedures. Some of these waxes will have a high water content, some will have a high oil content, and a lot will not be consistent in either. Then you add in the problem of purchasing from other countries and you get even more inconsistencies. Thats where the problem comes in because once you think you have your additives down, the next batch of candles you make won't turn out right because of inconsistency during the manufacturing. You will have to constantly be reformulating your wax formulas. Phytowaxes are blended with exact quality procedures to offer you a professional, quality and consistent wax.
Q. How hot should my wax get before I add my color and fragrance?
A. If you are making container or votive candles we suggest that you add your color and your fragrance between 140 and 150 degrees. (Thank you Melaine) 160 is ok, but is still a little warm. We recommend stirring with a whisk after each addition for 2 minutes per addition. And always use a thermometer to regulate your temperature. We noticed a huge difference in the structure of the soy candle when blending very well. When making pillars, we suggest that you add your color at 175, stir for 2 minutes with a wire whisk then add your fragrance and stir again for 2 minutes. Pour. Put molds into a box for slower cooling time. Wait for pillar wax to set up then make relief holes 1/4" from the wick with wick needles. Then repour on the top. Make sure the wax does not run down the side or the candle will stick and it will have runs down the side.
Q. I just poured some candles and the last portion of the wax had a bunch of gunk in the bottom of it. Did I get hold of some bad fragrance oils?
A. No, it's not a fragrance oil problem, it's a stirring problem. Be sure you are stirring your wax a full two minutes after you add your fragrance oil so that the wax, color and fragrance oil will all bind together. There are a few fragrances that are a little harder to blend, especially the vanilla based ones. Also, be sure that you are shaking your fragrance oil real good before you pour it in the wax.
Q. I use one and a half oz of fragrance oil per pound of wax in my candles to make them strong. I have heard good things about French Color & Chemical, Wellington, Bitter Creek and Cajun Candle fragrances and would like to try some, but the prices seem to be slightly higher than where I am getting mine from now. Why are these other companies more expensive?
A. You will never need to use more than 1oz per pound of fragrance oil to make an extra strong scented candle with fragrance oil from these companies. All of the above mentioned companies fragrance oils are 100% pure, uncut Grade AAA fragrance oils. You simply don't need more than 1 oz per pound of wax to make a great candle. (Thank you Melaine, again!) For example, if you are buying a discount fragrance oil for $14.00 per pound and using 1.5 oz per lb of wax you are spending $1.32 to scent each pound of wax. By contrast, if you spend $17.00 per pound for pure fragrance oil, your cost to scent a pound of wax is only $1.07! Thats a saving of 25 cents for every pound of wax you scent and you're using the purest fragrance oil available! You really will save money and keep your customers by using and producing higher quality products.
Q. I made some 16 oz apothecary jar candles and I can't get a full melt pool across the diameter of the candles. They are tunneling straight down and I have lots of wax left on the sides. I've used the biggest wick available and it still does it, is there something wrong with my wick or wax?
A. There isn't anything wrong with either. You can get wicks that will work from Ewe-R-Wooly. These wicks are specially formulated to do the job! Unfortunately, a 16 oz apothecary jar (or larger) is too wide for most of the wicks on the market. Other wicks that can get a full melt pool will smoke too much so we don't recommend using that. We have solved this problem simply by purchasing the CDS line of wicks from Ewe-R-Wooly (CDS-20 or 22) or using two smaller size wicks in the apothecary jars. We center the two wicks in the jar about 1 inch apart and we get a great melt pool, and a fantastic scent throw since we are using two wicks. Our customers love it and the extra wick does not burn the candle down any faster than one wick would with a full melt pool.
If there are any chandlers out there that would care to add any comments, please do so. I will not be offended in any way.
If there are any other questions, please feel free to ask away! One or many of us will have or find the answers.
Have a GREAT day and Happy Candling!
Carol