Chandler Guild - Candle Production and Quality SIG

Sink hole in candles

Thu, 14 Oct 2004 15:45:51 -0400

We've been having problems with a sinkhole/crater in the 18 oz and 28 oz candles we are pouring. The top forms over but then later, after full cooling, there is a crater or sinkhole on the top.

How can we prevent or fix? We are not pouring at a high temperature -- 140-150. We are not pouring too quickly, either.

Suppliers

Sat, 29 May 2004 11:42:26 -0400

I wish to share some information regarding supplies that I use or have used.

Here are capsule reviews of our experiences and ratings for Candlewic, Bitter Creek, King House Candle Supply, Ewe R Wooly, Intercontinental Fragrances, Paramold, and Wicks Unlimited. Counterpoints and amplification are welcome.

Revisiting Scent Throw

Fri, 28 May 2004 07:26:33 -0400

I am in the process of looking for a new FO supplier. I've been using many oils from Nature's Garden, but I'm not satisfied that these are the best quality scents I can get.

I saw that someone else on here said they were trying Lebermuth oils. I would like to know if you had any success? I've received about 40 1 oz. samples from Lebermuth for testing purposes and I just cannot get them to work in candles. I've tried different waxes/additives, etc and still no scent throw at all. I've been told by 2 other candlemakers (not soy users) that Lebermuth should be avoided for candle scents because they're not strong enough. Any ideas here?

Pillars

Tue, 20 Apr 2004 10:55:54 -0400

Does anyone out there have good experience making pillars? Having some problems with their burn. Have been trying to use the votive wax without much luck. Any info. would be greatly appreciated.

Blue Ridge Mercantile

Best way to clean up votive molds?

Mon, 15 Mar 2004 14:59:09 -0500

My candle business centers around the sale of votives, so I am ALWAYS making votives. The containers get "yukky" after about 3 pours and the candles start getting rough on the sides. Any helpful hints on washing up? I have about 100 molds, so it takes about a 1/2 day to clean them all up and start over.
Thanks.....
-Joan
Soytainly@msn.com
www.soytainly.com

Making Pillars

Thu, 19 Feb 2004 15:23:53 -0500

My husband and I having purchased a 6" pillar mold (I believe)..to begin making pillar candles. Our clients have requested them. However, we haven't made these before so need some advice.
Do we use the pillar/votive wax? Melting temp?

Any helps/suggestions would be appreciated!
Thanks
Joanna Ridgeway
Country Basket Candles
Ohio

How to Ship Candles

Fri, 13 Feb 2004 07:37:07 -0500

Hi! I generally make container candles and I'm curious about what others here do to prepare their candles for shipping? Is it wise to add something to the wax to harden it so the candles don't crack during shipping? What shipping method do you use? I'm interested in any ideas I can get!
Thanks,
Amanda Drew
Alight Soy Candles

Wax is too soft--Additives?

Fri, 13 Feb 2004 07:36:56 -0500

Hi! I'm still fairly new to soy candlemaking and am very new to the guild, but so far its been pretty helpful. Before I knew about Soyawax brand, I had already purchased a large amount of soy wax from a different supplier. In the future, I'll be buying my soy waxes from Mike, but I have way too much wax to get rid of it and buy new.

The wax I have makes great container candles, but I've begun to make tarts and votives also, with not so great results. When its cooled, the tarts and votives are so soft that they often crack or the ruffled egdges of the tarts break off!

using stearic acid

Thu, 12 Feb 2004 14:50:38 -0500

hello everyone. i'm very new to this and have started a little tiny business out of my kitchen :) i'm doing container candles w/essential oils. my question is...when adding stearic acid(hoping that this will make the cracking go away), how do you figure out the percentage to use? i've read that 3-5% is suggested...if i'm using 2 cups (16 oz) of phytowax to make an 8 oz. container candle, then i should use .8 oz of stearic, right? how the heck does that translate to something i can measure if i don't have a scale...i know there's probably a table somewhere that converts this but it eludes me.

White stuff

Mon, 09 Feb 2004 07:39:01 -0500

Can someone please tell me how to get rid of the white stuff that appears in a candle once it is cured? I'm not talking about the Frosting that appears on the side.....that's a pain in the neck too. But I notice this white stuff on the bottom of the jar, sometimes on the side. I use liquid dye and cook it in for 10 mins at approx 190, mixing very well before adding fragrance. This is also with out any additives...I don't get it...it doesn't happen all the time. But some boxes of container wax seem to be different then others. Has anyone else noticed this or am I on my own here? Am I doing something wrong?

Making Pillars

Fri, 06 Feb 2004 22:35:14 -0500

Due to popular demand by our clients..my hubby and I are going to start making pillars (starting with 3"). We need some help and suggestions. Are we using the votive/pillar wax or is there another kind of wax? What size wicks?
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks!
Joanna
Country Basket Candles

Cracks in Phytowax container wax

Fri, 23 Jan 2004 10:36:34 -0500

I have been using Phytowax container with no additives. (other than fragrance and liq dye) Making many samples, trying different fragrances and all of them look great, burn great, and making great progress. And then....when the orders start rolling in and the products need to be finished quickly.....they are all showing up with cracks! I have tried different boxes (lots) warming up jars (even warmer) pouring at all different temp and still getting cracks! The cracks are appearing along the side of the containers and across the top of the finished product! I began using veg stearic about 3-5% (still playing with the %) and seems to be alittle better.

A Pillar Process Observation

Tue, 13 Jan 2004 08:09:25 -0500

On 10/21/2003 Soyawax Mike responded to Northwoods Candle's question about making pillars with news that he..
"has a new and very easy to use process for all Chandlers to make pillars. I'm in the final testing week. Details will be announced on this website in one week."

Now on 12/25/2003 Soyawax responds to a query about the pillar recipe with...

Making Votives

Mon, 05 Jan 2004 07:24:05 -0500

I am just starting to use the votive blend to make votives and tarts. I am having trouble with sink holes in my votives. What temperature or texture should the wax be when pouring it into the votive molds?Should I warm the molds before pouring the wax into them? Any help on making votives will be greatly appreciated ! Also, Has anyone tried making the dipped bears with soy wax yet? I have some customers asking me to make them.

Anyone else had problems with a fuel like smell???

Wed, 24 Dec 2003 13:11:40 -0500

I have not been here for ages have been too busy the last month sorry. I have had two customers complain about a fuel smell when the candles are burning. One was a candy cane votive and the other a fresh linen container candle. The fact it's happened twice now with two scents and waxes gives me a red flag. Anyone else had this problem or know what is causing it? Thanks for any advice. I will be gone again though. December 27th we are heading south to watch those Hawkeyes play in Tampa. Have a great holiday all!!