What Are Common Candle Making Questions and Answers?Updated 4 months ago

We understand that it can be difficult to create perfect candles. Especially if you have serious scent throw issues popping up, it can be frustrating to put time and money into candles that don't work that way you want. So, we want to answer some common candle making questions to prevent confusion and save you from all that extra troubleshooting. So, let's talk about common problems so we can get back to creating gorgeous homemade candles!

Candle Wax Questions:

How Do You Melt Candle Wax at Home?

You can use a pouring pot and a stove top to melt your wax at home. Also, we recommend using a double boiler method where you have a larger pot with water in it and set your pouring pot full of wax inside. Turn the stove on to medium and allow the water in your pot to boil. This will safely heat your wax without letting it get too hot.

Which is the Best Wax for Candle Making?

Choosing the best wax all depends on preference of what you prefer in a finished candle. First, we have soy waxes that are vegan, gluten free, and natural candle waxes. This is the least expensive wax, has a fantastic cold throw, and has a cleaner burn, but it is tricky to get a great hot throw with some fragrances. Also, Soy Wax often has frosting and a rougher finish.

Next, we have paraffin wax, which has the best scent throw, and is in both the Wow Wax and Joy Wax. The Joy wax uses a mixture of paraffin and soy, so it has a cleaner burn due to the soy wax and a really good hot scent throw due to the paraffin wax. Also, it clings to the candle containers better and has less frosting. An option for creating a translucent candle is gel wax, but it isn't compatible with all fragrances.

Additionally, you can use palm wax, which comes from sustainable sources, has a beautiful crystal finish, and has a great scent throw.  Lastly, Pillar of Bliss Wax and Palm Pillar wax are great options for creating pillars or wax tarts.

Soy Candle Questions:

What is the Best Temperature to Pour Soy Wax?

This temperature depends on the type of soy wax being used. We recommend pouring our 100% soy wax at 110 degrees Fahrenheit. For the Golden Brands 444 or Golden Brands 464, we suggest pouring at 135 degrees Fahrenheit

What is the Best Temperature to Add Fragrance to Soy Wax?

For heavier fragrance oils with high flash points, we recommend adding the scented oil at 185 degrees Fahrenheit. However, lighter fragrances with lower flash points, Ike citrus scents, would be added around 160 degrees Fahrenheit

Which Wick is Best for Soy Candles?

Many customers perfer to use a cotton wick for their soy candles. We have two types of cotton wicks available, which are HTP and CD candle wicks.

How Do You Make Soy Wax Melts?

Although we don't carry soy wax in a pillar form for melts, you can still create soy wax melts with container wax. Often, customers will use individual portion cups to package wax melts like these, which can be used to squeeze the wax into the wax burner. This is because it is softer than pillar wax and is difficult to get out of clamshells. However, this wax will not hold the shape from a mold. In fact, it will get stuck in your mold and be difficult to clean. Another option when making wax melts with a container wax is to add stearic acid to the wax to harden it.

Fragrance Questions:

Why Don't My Candles Have a Good Scent Throw?

This issue could have a few different possible causes. First, you may not have added enough fragrance, which should be 1 oz. per pound on average. Also, your candle may have a clogged wick. This could be due to adding too much fragrance, vybar, or another additive. Also, additives like mica and crayons will clog your wick.

Another possibility is the type of wax you are using. A wax like paraffin will have a better scent throw than soy waxes. Finally, it is possible that you have the wrong size wick. If you wick is too small, then the flame will not be hot enough to get the aroma into the air. On the other hand, a wick that is too large will burn the scent oil before it can be released into the air.

What is Vybar Used for in Candle Making?

If you have a poor scent throw and you have tried trouble shooting, then you may want to use vybar. The vybar can be used to increase scent throw by adding some amount between a fourth and a half teaspoon per pound of wax. Just be cautious not to add too much or it can clog your wick and reduce your scent throw. We suggest using Vybar 103 for pillar candles and Vybar 206 for container candles.

Why Is Fragrance Oil Settling to the Bottom of the Candle?

If you notice that fragrance is settling at either the top or bottom of your candle, then there could be a few reasons to explain it. First, you've added too much fragrance oil. Another option is that the wax you are using isn't porous enough and you may need a more porous wax. Along with this idea, waxes that have been burned or heated too much may reduce in their ability to hold fragrance. Finally, you may have not stirred enough to fully incorporate the fragrance oil.

Can You Use Essential Oils in a Wax Warmer?

While some essential oils can be used in wax warmers, it can be a bit tricky. You need to make sure that they are diluted with either a carrier oil or DPG. Additionally, some essential oils have flashpoints that are too low for a wax warmer. So, you will want to do some testing with the essential oils that you choose.

Wick Questions:

Why is My Candle Wick Drowning Out?

This could be due to either a small wick or a high candle. First, the wick you used may be too small for a candle of this diameter, which you can use our Candle Wick Chart for reference. Also, your wick could be drowning if you poured your candle wax up too high. You should stop pouring before the wax passes the part of the candle jar that changes shape and begins to curve for the lip.

Why Isn t My Candle Wax Not Burning Evenly All of the Way Down?

Uneven burning could be due to either the wax or the wick. First, the wick may be too small for your candle's size. Also, the wax that you chose could be too hard. While you could use a softer wax instead, you could also switch to a hotter wick.

General Questions:

Sometimes I Follow All Recommendations and I Still Can't Seem to Get it Right. Why is That?

There are many factors that can influence the outcome of your homemade candles. First, fragrance oils can impact a candle, as thicker scented oils require you to wick up to get a hotter burn. Also, the room temperature can effect your candles. If the room is too cold, then you can have more issues with glass adhesion and frosting because your candle will setup very quickly.

Additionally, you could have an issue where the scent doesn't smell as strong because you are used to it. When you are around a scent for too long, your nose will adjust and you won't notice it as much. If this happens to you, then don't worry too much just take a break from the scent for awhile and your nose will recognize it again after a long enough break.

Why are My Layers Bleeding in my Candle?

This color issue could have one of a few different causes. First, the layers were too hot. If you don't wait long enough or pour your wax too soon, then the layers can melt one another and start to run into one another. Also, it could be due to over saturating your candle with fragrance, as the extra scented oil will blend with colorant and bring the color with it as it seeps out of the candle.

Can I Use Mica in Candles?

We recommend that you don't mix mica into the candle itself, because it will clog the wick. But, you can use mica to decorate the outside of pillar candles! After your pillar is created you can then, use the mica on the outer portion of your candle. This shimmery mixture can be used to provide a beautiful sparkle on the outside of your candles.

Can Mica be used in Wax Melts?

Sure! Since we don't have to worry about clogging the wick, you can mix it straight into the candle wax.

How Do I Get Rid of the Air Bubbles in My Candles?

There are a few reasons why air bubbles could get trapped in your candles, which include water exposure and pouring at a cooler temperature. So, how do you prevent air bubble in a homemade candle? First, keep water away from your work station. Also, you can try pouring your wax at a hotter temperature. Further, pour your candle wax slowly and make sure to stop before you hit pour point where your jar begins to change shape.

Can You Melt Old Candles to Make New Ones?

We don't recommend re-purposing old candles to make new ones. While this may seem like a create idea to take all you half used candles and make a new one, the scent is a big concern in this case. If these candles are scented, then they will already contain fragrance oil. Once you melt your old candles, the scent may fade, but many of the wax particles are still holding on to some of the scent oil. This means that you won't be able to add enough fragrance oil without over saturating your candle. Since the candle already is holding scent, this extra fragrance will seep out and sit on the top of your candle, which is dangerous and can result in a flame that is too large.

Reach Out to Us

Hopefully, we were able to get some of your more pressing questions answered. If you have any more questions or concerns about making your own candles, then please reach out to us. We are always happy to help! You can stop by the store, give us a call, or talk to us on social media. If you want to find us online, we have Facebook page and Instagram. Good luck and have fun with candle making!