What are the problems with soy candles?
How to fix lumpy top of candle?
Why does soy wax crack?
Why does my candle top swell?
What does it mean when a candle has a lumpy top?
Why is my soy candle lumpy?
Why is my candle not smooth?
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Why are my soy candles not smooth on top?
The rough, bumpy tops after burning a soy wax candle are caused when the hot wax in the melt pool cools and solidifies at an inconsistent rate. This is a feature of soy wax, and not a sign you did anything incorrectly.
How do you make a candle surface smooth?
1:062:59create perfectly smooth candle tops. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOn using your heat gun to get perfectly smooth candle tops with the heat gun. On. Simply move itMoreOn using your heat gun to get perfectly smooth candle tops with the heat gun. On. Simply move it around the surface of the candle in a quick circular. Motion. Avoid the wick.
Why do my candles not have smooth tops?
There are two main reasons your candles aren't coming out as smooth as you hoped: temperature fluctuations and improperly mixed fragrance oils.
How do you make whipped topping for candles?
To Make the Whipped Cream: Melt the remaining wax and let it cool until it's opaque, about 5 minutes. Whip the wax with a form until it begins to form frothy peaks. If the wax is too thin, wait a few minutes and try again. If it thickens too quickly you will need to remelt it.
Why are my soy candles cracking on top?
Rough Surfaces/Cracking: Candles have an uneven, rough surface or small air bubbles which lead to small holes, cracking, and/or jump lines. Possible Causes: Stirring too vigorously, water somehow got into the wax, your candles cooled too fast, candles were poured at too cool of a temp.
Why is my soy candle bumpy after burning?
Rough or Bumpy Tops It is not unusual for soy candles to have a rough top after burning. This is another natural occurrence with soy wax. This occurs because the hot wax is cooling at different rates of speed. This is a good indication that you have a soy wax candle and not a candle mixed with other waxes or additives.
What temp should you pour soy wax?
120 - 165 FThe wax should be poured into the container while it is 120 - 165 F to reduce cracking and speed up the cure time of the wax. If wax is to be left in the melter over night, the wax should be stored at a temperature of 130 - 145 F.
How do you fix an uneven candle top?
Use a Blow Dryer To Fix Minor Tunneling Blast the top of the candle with a hair dryer on high heat. Simply hold the airflow over the top of the candle until the top layer of wax has melted and smoothed.
How do you fix a sinkhole in a soy candle?
1:343:33how to fix candle sink holes. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe poke several holes around the wick using a wooden dowel. And then finish the candle with a heatMoreWe poke several holes around the wick using a wooden dowel. And then finish the candle with a heat gun or top or with certain waxes. We have not had any issues with sink holes forming.
What candle wax is best for whipping?
Getting the wax to have the whipped appearance can be relatively easy. It is recommended that you start with a 140/142 melt point wax. Melt this wax in a small container where the temperature can be controlled easily, a crock pot or small water jacket melter will work very well.
Does Modge podge work on candle?
You can easily decorate candles with this quick tutorial – all you need are glitter, Mod Podge, and vinyl stickers. It's very budget friendly! Skills Required: None. Even if you've never Mod Podged before, you'll be successful at this craft.
How do you melt the top layer of a candle?
Cover the top of the candle with aluminum foil. Cut a small opening (around 1-inch) in the center of the aluminum foil. Remove the aluminum foil, light the wick, then place the foil cover back on. Allow the candle to burn for a few hours until the top surface of wax has completely melted and smoothed over.
How do you make a candle look glossy?
Most of the time, a molded candle will automatically have a shiny finish, mainly because of the relatively high recommended pouring temperature (176°F to 185°F). The rule of thumb is: the hotter the wax and the faster it cools off, the shinier the finished candle will be.
How do you fix an uneven candle surface?
Luckily, if you catch it early enough, there's a quick fix. Blast the top of the candle with a hair dryer on high heat. Simply hold the airflow over the top of the candle until the top layer of wax has melted and smoothed.
How do you make a candle look creamy?
Petrolatum will also increase the oil content in a wax therefore making it creamier and softer. The addition of Petrolatum to your wax will also help the wax to adhere to the sides of its container as well as help to reduce shrinkage of the wax.
Why are my candles wrinkled?
This can be caused by air escaping out of the top surface of the wax. Here are some things you can try to help correct this problem. Avoid over-stirring which can produce air bubbles. Pour at a slightly hotter (+5°F) temperature.
9 Common Candle Making Mistakes and How to Avoid or Fix Them
A cheaper alternative to buying candles would be making them, and while it's a fun craft where you'll have complete control of how your candle looks and what would go in it, there are also risks and problems you can stumble into. At Craftiviti, we often hear from our customers about the issues they face…
What are the problems with soy candles?
You will find that a lot of the problems related to making soy candles come from this very issue. Including wet spots, sinkholes, and lumpy tops.
How to fix lumpy top of candle?
You can fix the lumpy top by using a heat gun or a blow dryer and melting the wax on the top of the candle and smooth it over, this might do if it is just for your own use. However, if you are selling candles you need to adjust your pour temperatures to prevent future issues.
Why does soy wax crack?
Soy wax cracks when the candle wax is poured at too low a temperature. While pouring candles with the wax too hot can cause problems, pouring them with the wax too cool can cause its own unique set of problems. You have to find the sweet spot in the middle.
Why does my candle top swell?
Lumpy candle tops are caused when the wax in your candle cools at an inconsistent rate. When separate areas of the candle are cooling more quickly than others it can cause the wax to cling together, separate, and detach from the sides of the container.
What does it mean when a candle has a lumpy top?
Lumpy tops are sort of a distinctive trait of soy wax candles. It is usually a sign that you are working with real 100% soy wax and not a blend of some sort. Some people find it annoying while others have just come to accept it. Why does my soy candle have a lumpy top?
Why is my soy candle lumpy?
You have a lumpy soy candle top from using the incorrect temperature when pouring your candle. It is important to use a thermometer to keep the temperature even, and not just take your chances. If you don’t already have a thermometer invest in one before you make your next batch of candles.
Why is my candle not smooth?
Sometimes candles are not smooth on top due to air escaping from the wax as it’s cooling . In addition, other causes can be uneven cooling, container and wax temperature differential, and the temperature of your candle wax when you pour your candles.
How much does it cost to make a soy candle?
You can buy a candle kit for $60 that will allow you to make a dozen 8 oz candles from CandleScience which averages out to $5 per candle. Much cheaper than you can find pure soy candles anywhere else.
Why don't you add oil to a candle?
Don’t add the oil when molten soy wax is heated above the flashpoint because the oil will evaporate, leaving little fragrance in the candle. Equally, avoid adding the oil when the candle is heated below the flashpoint as the wax and oil won’t bind correctly.
Why do candles need to cure?
Why do candles need to cure? Candles need to cure so that the oil and the wax used to make the candle can have time to bond and form a solidified structure. During this process the wax essentially bonds with the oil, trapping it into place. This will increase the hot throw of your candles.
Why does my homemade candle not smell?
If your homemade candle does not smell it may be because you did not cure it for at least 7 days. Candles should cure for a minimum of 7 days to give the wax time to completely harden and during this time the scent throw of your candle will improve.
How to melt wax in a bowl?
Fill the saucepan with water to about a third full. Next, put the wax flakes in a pouring pot and place it in the water in the saucepan. Place the saucepan over a heat source to heat the water; as the water warms up, the wax in the bowl should start melting.
What happens if you trim a candle wick?
After the wax has had time to harden overnight, trim its wick, a trimmed candle illuminates more while an untrimmed one burns with a dull flame, giving off very poor light.
Where to hang wicks in a glass jar?
Make sure the wick touches the center of the glass jar bottom, and at the top, you should remain with enough of it to hang over the glass jar. You can use wick tabs and wick stickers at the bottom of the glass jar to hold the wick in position.
What happens if you burn a soy candle?
The same effect occurs after you burn a soy candle – the top will not finish perfectly smooth, even if it had a full melt pool. They’re also be some frosting on the melt line where wax hardened irregularly.
How to make a candle with fragrance oil?
Starting points: Pour as cool as possible (cloudy), but lightly stir as soon as you mix fragrance oil the entire time (without introducing air) until you pour. Vary the rate of cooling in the pour pot each time and see how it impacts your candle. Pour as hot as possible and cure in varied-temperature areas.
How does soy wax form?
Generally speaking, soy wax begins forming solid crystals as soon as it begins cooling when you’re making candles. If you heat your wax to 185 °F and let it cool to your pouring temperature, crystals will form in the wax during that time.
Why is soy wax polymorphic?
Soy wax is polymorphic, meaning it crystallizes in response to temperature changes and time. Generally speaking, the more time it has during a temperature change is a larger window for crystals to form.
What is a wet spot on a candle?
Wet spots are a cosmetic problem found in container candles of all kinds with many different wax types. Learn how to fix it!
How to melt crystals in a glass container?
Apply constant heat with a heat gun to the affected area, melting a depth of approximately 1/8″ across the effective width of the container. When you finish, allow the top to cool evenly in open air. If you place a lid or cover above the melted surface, risk of irregular cooling increases (hello, crystals!).
Can you pivot off soy wax?
If you can pivot off a pure soy wax candle, consider blending with another wax type to harness the other properties and cut down on the soy-ness scale. Be careful if you’re adding a lot of different commercial waxes together. Sometimes their polymers and additives conflict and become detrimental to your design.
Why do I poke with a skewer when pouring a candle?
When I get this look on first pour, there are air bubbles down inside the candle. So I poke with a skewer as I do a second pour so the hot wax fills in those air pockets. The candle is softer in those areas, and I can feel that with the skewer. Not sure I explained that fully.
How to cool waxes in a pot?
I cool my waxes in a pour pot in front of a large box fan to get them quickly from mixing temp to pouring temp, stirring every few minutes to keep he whole pot the same temp-ish. The difference in finish is noticeable.
Does stirring wax make a difference?
TallTayl, I recently started stirring the wax in my pouring pot periodically as it cooled, and I agree - it definitely makes a difference in how the tops set!
Can you cool pour pots?
I cool the pour pots, not the jars. Fans on the jars made massive cavities. Other than that, zero difference in cold throw. Nada.
Do you need a second pour for candles?
The only thing I can tell by the looks of the pictures is you need a second pour which is a very common thing to do with making candles. With the little bit of left over wax you should have in your pot, you heat up and then pour a very thin thin layer on top of your candles.
Is Eco Soya changing their formula?
Sidenote on the CB 135, Eco Soya is changing their formula and from what I've read here, do it fairly often as in every few years. That is why I am abandoning the line and moving toward Golden Brands. Just something for you to consider.
Do soy cauliflower grains look good after being burned?
now, once burned, those smooth, shiny tops will revert back to ugly soy cauliflower grains, but at least they look nice for sale.
How hot should soy wax be to make candles?
3. Check the Temperature. If you plan to add fragrance oil to your candles, you’ll want to heat your soy wax to approximately 185 degrees. If your wax gets too hot, you can either wait for it to cool, or stir in a small handful of wax flakes. This folding digital meat thermometer made it easy to check the temperature.
How to melt soy wax?
Melt the Wax. Use a microwave-safe glass measuring cup. Heat the wax, starting with one-minute increments. Stir it thoroughly each time. After two one-minute sessions in the microwave, cut the time down to 30 seconds. 3.
How long does it take for a candle to cool?
Let the candles cool completely. This may take an hour or two, depending on the size of your jars. You may notice that the tops of the candles have some holes and uneven spots, but don’t worry. We’re going to do a second pour after this one cools and hardens, so save a little bit of scented wax in your measuring cup.
How many cups of soy wax melts down?
With these natural soy wax flakes, I found that about 4 cups will melt down to about 2 cups.
When to pour candles?
Once the wax has begun to cool and it’s starting to look a little cloudy, it’s time to pour your candles. If you pour the wax when it’s too hot, it can separate from the sides of your container. This isn’t a huge deal, but it will look better if you let it cool.
How to trim wicks?
Use scissors to trim the wick. The wood wicks are very thin, so any scissors should work.
What to use to decorate candles?
If you want to add decoration to your candles, I recommend using very small bits of decorative items, such as tiny dried flowers, fir needles, bits of lemon or orange peel, cloves, etc. You can check out my ultra-simple dried orange peel tutorial here.
How to make soy wax candles?
How do I prevent imperfections on the surface of soy wax candles? 1 Avoid over-stirring which can produce air bubbles. 2 Pour at a slightly hotter (+5°F) temperature. 3 Heat your containers to 90-100°F in a warm oven. 4 Pour more slowly. 5 Tap the glassware gently right after you've poured the wax to release any air bubbles. 6 Cool the candle at room temperature. Avoid extremely hot or cold rooms. Also, keep them spaced about 4-5 inches apart from one another. 7 Try to avoid cooling directly on a solid surface, which can either retain heat or pull heat away. A cooling rack is useful! 8 After the candle has cooled, re-pour about 1/8th of an inch of melted wax on the top surface of the cooled candle. 9 After your candles have cured, you can use a heat gun to help fix minor issues. Check out our FAQ on correcting surface flaws.
How to get rid of bubbles in wax?
Here are some things you can try to help correct this problem. Avoid over-stirring which can produce air bubbles. Pour at a slightly hotter (+5°F) temperature. Heat your containers to 90-100°F in a warm oven. Pour more slowly. Tap the glassware gently right after you've poured the wax to release any air bubbles.
Can you cool a solid surface?
Try to avoid cooling directly on a solid surface, which can either retain heat or pull heat away. A cooling rack is useful!
Can you use a heat gun on candles?
After your candles have cured , you can use a heat gun to help fix minor issues. Check out our FAQ on correcting surface flaws.
What are the problems with soy candles?
You will find that a lot of the problems related to making soy candles come from this very issue. Including wet spots, sinkholes, and lumpy tops.
How to fix lumpy top of candle?
You can fix the lumpy top by using a heat gun or a blow dryer and melting the wax on the top of the candle and smooth it over, this might do if it is just for your own use. However, if you are selling candles you need to adjust your pour temperatures to prevent future issues.
Why does soy wax crack?
Soy wax cracks when the candle wax is poured at too low a temperature. While pouring candles with the wax too hot can cause problems, pouring them with the wax too cool can cause its own unique set of problems. You have to find the sweet spot in the middle.
Why does my candle top swell?
Lumpy candle tops are caused when the wax in your candle cools at an inconsistent rate. When separate areas of the candle are cooling more quickly than others it can cause the wax to cling together, separate, and detach from the sides of the container.
What does it mean when a candle has a lumpy top?
Lumpy tops are sort of a distinctive trait of soy wax candles. It is usually a sign that you are working with real 100% soy wax and not a blend of some sort. Some people find it annoying while others have just come to accept it. Why does my soy candle have a lumpy top?
Why is my soy candle lumpy?
You have a lumpy soy candle top from using the incorrect temperature when pouring your candle. It is important to use a thermometer to keep the temperature even, and not just take your chances. If you don’t already have a thermometer invest in one before you make your next batch of candles.
Why is my candle not smooth?
Sometimes candles are not smooth on top due to air escaping from the wax as it’s cooling . In addition, other causes can be uneven cooling, container and wax temperature differential, and the temperature of your candle wax when you pour your candles.
