.
Making container candles can be a frustrating experience when things go wrong. Paraffin candles have different challenges than soy candles. It is important you get to know the wax you are working with, and some of the inherent issues that go with it.
Some brands of wax will have more issues than others. If you are having a lot of problems with one brand, try switching to another. Often times, that will resolve some of the issues you are having.
Here are some of the most common issues we are contacted about, and our recommendations for solving them:
1 Comments
Matthew S
Dear group I was wondering if a could have your kind help? I am really having problems with mushrooming from carbon buildup having trouble finding correct in order to prevent future occurrences. Is there any way you could give me your professional advice on what diameter wick might be best suited for the below? 8.5 inch diameter 3 inch tall 6.4oz (filling to about 5.5oz) glass jar. Nature wax C-3 Soy container wax-0200 Premier 700 series (700 to 795)candle wicks are a flat braid cotton core wicks. I thank you in advance for any assistance that you are able to give. Kind Regards Matthew <br/><br/> <strong>CierraCandles Admin</strong>: Hey Matthew! There are a couple of things that could be in play here - one you are using too much fragrance, this can cause sooting of the wick. It is also possible you are using the wrong sized wick. But I think it is more a function of the wick. Cotton core wicks by their nature tend to ball up and get big. We prefer the HTP wicks and they are considered to be "self-trimming". Meaning they will ball up, as you've described. You need to instruct your customers, or if you are burning the candles, be sure you break off this ball before you relight the candle. That will help the sooting. However, this is normal for a cotton wick. They are the best wick for soy and will give you the best scent throw and hottest burn. But the downside is the big ball at the end and if you don't trim it, then you get the sooty residue. <br/><br/> For a candle of that big of a diameter, if you change wicks, you will probably need to, at the very minimum - double wick - and most likely triple wick the candle. The LX wick series - <a href="/lx-wicks.html">here</a> would be the next option I would recommend. I would start with 3 - LX 22 wicks spaced evenly from the sides, in a triangle formation. They will not burn as hot, but they will also not ball up like the cotton wicking. <br/><br/> Hope that helps you!!
Gayle Schrader
Hi. I am having trouble with my soy candles separating. On pouring they look beautiful and after cooling all of the color has sunk to the bottom and off color wax is on top. I am not talking just a little frosting. All of the color is in the bottom 2 or 3 inches and the rest is light off color. What causes this?
