7 Candle Making Problems, Causes AND Tips For How To Fix Them

Summary

This video offers valuable insights into common issues faced by beginner candle makers and provides practical solutions. Key topics include troubleshooting fragrance throw, wet spots (jar adhesion), and drowning wicks, with tips on how wax type, wick size, additives, and pouring techniques can impact performance. Emphasizing the importance of testing, the video highlights how consistent experimentation can lead to better candle quality. The focus is on refining the candle-making process, from ensuring proper wick performance to choosing the right materials, ultimately helping makers improve their product's appearance and functionality.

Takeaways

• 😀 Wax type is the most influential factor in candle performance, affecting things like fragrance throw, burn time, and jar adhesion.
• 😀 Consistent testing of different waxes and wick types is essential to determine the best combination for optimal performance.
• 😀 Fragrance throw can be influenced by the size of the room, the wax used, and the amount of fragrance oil, so testing and adjusting these factors is key.
• 😀 Wet spots on candles are caused by inconsistent wax contraction during cooling, with softer waxes generally offering better jar adhesion.
• 😀 Odd-shaped jars can lead to uneven cooling and inconsistent shrinkage, which may cause jar adhesion issues.
• 😀 Additives like stearic acid or vibar can cause wax to harden, leading to potential jar adhesion issues, so use them in moderation.
• 😀 The cooling rate of the wax is important—pouring at a lower temperature can reduce shrinkage and help with jar adhesion.
• 😀 Ensuring consistent cooling all around a candle is more important than spacing them apart during production, especially when making multiple candles at once.
• 😀 A drowning wick can occur due to too much fragrance oil, a wick that’s too small, or competing wicks, which need testing for optimal size and type.
• 😀 Testing the entire candle, not just a portion, helps to identify issues that might only appear in the later stages of the burn.
• 😀 Multiple wicks in a candle can struggle to burn consistently, so it's important to experiment with wick count and size to balance fuel and oxygen supply.

Q & A

What is the difference between hot throw and cold throw in candle making?

Hot throw refers to how the fragrance of a candle performs when it is lit, while cold throw is the fragrance scent when the candle is unlit. Both are influenced by factors like the wax type, fragrance oil load, wick size, and room size.

How does the size of the room affect the fragrance throw of a candle?

In a small room, a large candle can produce an overpowering fragrance, while in a large room, a small candle might not emit enough fragrance. The size of the room is crucial because it affects how much air the fragrance has to fill, influencing how strong the scent will be.

What is the main cause of wet spots or jar adhesion issues in candles?

Wet spots occur when the wax pulls away from the sides of the jar due to wax contraction as it cools. Softer waxes tend to adhere better to jars, while firmer waxes shrink more, leading to these cosmetic issues.

Do wet spots or jar adhesion issues affect the performance of the candle?

No, wet spots or jar adhesion issues are purely cosmetic and do not affect the candle's performance or burning ability.

What factors contribute to jar adhesion issues in candles?

The main factors include the type of wax used, jar shape, and additives like stearic acid, which can cause the wax to shrink more. The cooling process also plays a role, with rapid cooling potentially causing more shrinkage and adhesion problems.

How does the cooling rate of the candle affect jar adhesion?

If the wax is poured at a high temperature, it cools rapidly, leading to more shrinkage. Slower cooling can help reduce these issues. Preheating the jar or pouring at a cooler temperature can sometimes prevent excessive shrinkage.

How should candles be arranged during the cooling process to ensure consistent cooling?

It's not just about keeping candles spaced apart. What's more important is ensuring that all candles cool at the same rate, so they should be arranged in a way that allows for uniform cooling around each candle.

What causes a candle wick to drown or get too small during burning?

A wick can drown due to several factors, such as using a wick that is too small for the wax type, excessive fragrance or additives that clog the wick, or multiple wicks competing for fuel and oxygen. The wick struggles when it doesn't receive enough fuel or oxygen to keep burning.

Why is it important to test the entire candle during the testing phase?

Testing only part of the candle, like half of it, can give misleading results. It's crucial to test the entire candle from top to bottom because how it burns may change from the top to the bottom, affecting its overall performance.

How can excessive fragrance or additives affect candle performance?

Excessive fragrance oil or other additives can clog the wick, causing it to either clog up completely or burn improperly, leading to issues like drowning wicks or carbon buildup, affecting the candle's performance.