glowworm Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 I have always added my fragrances at around 185 and stirred for 2' to make sure everything is fully incorporated. Just wondering what the "norm" seems to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justajesuschick Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 I no longer stir for 2 minutes. My wax is naked and I have been doing this long enough that I can see and know when it is incorporated well. I want my wax steaming hot for as short a time as possible to preserve the oil from dissipating. My pour pot holds only about 16-20 ounces so I just do smaller, multiple batches (my business is Melts, not candles) so it is easy to blend quickly. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisR Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 I've never stirred for 2 min., 10 seconds if I'm lucky LOL!! In all these years, I've only had 2 FO's not mix properly and I dumped them. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcandleattic Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 I'm kind of with ChrisR on this one. I've never stirred for more than 10-15 seconds. If it's a heavy FO (such as a vanilla or something) I will cut back on the % added, and maybe stir for the full 15 seconds, but yeah, I've never stirred for a full 2 minutes. Even when I started making candles. I always figured stirring that long would make the wax cool too much in the pour pot and not in the jar/mold. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glowworm Posted September 12, 2014 Author Share Posted September 12, 2014 When I first started out someone told me that stirring that long was important to make sure everything is fully incorporated. I am happy overall with my results so I never thought about changing anything but it does seem like a bit of overkill sometimes. I keep my wax around 180 while stirring so I can pour immediately once I'm done. I'm pouring more these days so I'm just trying to find ways to increase productivity without sacrificing quality. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scented Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 About 30 seconds for most FOs here. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megandgarr Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 I stir for only about 15-20 seconds, and just a bit more on the heavier FO's. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glowworm Posted September 12, 2014 Author Share Posted September 12, 2014 (edited) Well I'm definitely going to try to decrease my stir times. Is the reason for only stirring for 30 seconds or less because over stirring decreases throw or is it just a waste of time? Edited September 12, 2014 by glowworm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scented Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Waste of time IMO. Now heavier would be a different story I suppose. The thing is someone probably said that because they couldn't tell if the FO was mixing. Well if it isn't, you can see it in the form of an oily looking sludge that sits on the bottom of a pour pot. Harder to pick up in a presto though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 I think when you start out you should probably stir longer until you get used to "knowing" when the FO is blended. I can tell by watching my wax as I pour in my FO and start stirring. I can see the oil as it mixes with the wax and know when its ready. I quit stirring for 2 minutes a long, long, time ago. I don't really count the seconds how long I stir. I just stir until I can see its blended. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glowworm Posted September 13, 2014 Author Share Posted September 13, 2014 That's the part that has been bugging me for awhile. I could see they were visually blended pretty quickly but figured the additional stirring was important to bind them at a different level. Thanks for everyone's responses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChandlerWicks Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 Just adding more bubbles with a long stirring. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
se2653 Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 So glad to read this thread! yes, I've been a "stirrer", and one of the reasons I was holding out on using my presto pot (yep, still in the box), because I was concerned about the temp going down when stirring. So, this weekend, ta-da, I will open the box and go forth with my continued testing! Always learning something here- love you guys! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonshine Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 I use soy and pour my melted wax into a pour pot with heated FO already in it and stir maybe a couple seconds-I then go back to check temp and stir a Couple times and continue this process until I reach my unbelievably low temp that takes forever to get there and pour - never had a problem with the FO not incorporating or seepage or anything like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megandgarr Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 So glad to read this thread! yes, I've been a "stirrer", and one of the reasons I was holding out on using my presto pot (yep, still in the box), because I was concerned about the temp going down when stirring. So, this weekend, ta-da, I will open the box and go forth with my continued testing! Always learning something here- love you guys! I have recently moved up from a presto pot to the turkey fryer (what a nice change) but the process still remains the same. I would recommend that you heat your wax to about 190 in your presto, ladle the amount of wax that you need into another container (pour pot, etc.), allow the temp to drop to 185 (which should happen while you ladle anyways), then add your FO and stir. By heating your wax a tad higher, that will allow you a little wiggle room while you weigh your wax. After I ladle I always use an infrared thermometer to check the wax temp to make sure it has dropped to 185 before adding my oil. Then stir long enough for your oil to incorporate into the wax and then you are good to go. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danni5173 Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 I stirred for the first few times when I first started, now I can tell by sight and I know when the wax is ready to pour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trappeur Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 I guess I'm the oddball here as I stir 2 minutes or maybe 1 1/2 minutes. And the reason why? Because I thought that was the standard by everyone and I just did it.......hmmmm...lol Trappeur 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 I guess I'm the oddball here as I stir 2 minutes or maybe 1 1/2 minutes. And the reason why? Because I thought that was the standard by everyone and I just did it.......hmmmm...lol TrappeurTrappeur I remember when I first started making candles and reading on this forum everyone saying you had to stir for 2 full minutes to incorporate the FO into the wax. It was like this rule was written in stone. Everyone said they did it. Not only that but it would be posted over and over again for several years. So I thought I had to do it too.So you aren't the only one. Funny how everyone back then copied others. I remember for a long time I would never say anything about not stirring for so long. That was also back in the time on this forum when if you would post something like that you would probably get blasted by several know it all posters. Thankfully they have left. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonshine Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 Lol- I even remember when I first started reading a wire whisk was best and to beat that wax over and over until you reach pour temp.....might be okay with a pour temp of 175 but my soy- no way! Never did it never will and they work just fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChandlerWicks Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 (edited) I just learned recently from this board, I could use a skewer instead of a whisk & stop wasting all those papertowels each FO change, to clean it. Edited September 14, 2014 by ChandlerWicks 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcandleattic Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 I just learned recently from this board, I could use a skewer instead of a whisk & stop wasting all those papertowels each FO change, to clean it.I use the handle of a wooden spoon to stir. I have been using he same one since the day I started making candles 15 years ago. I love it. One paper towel to clean it in between all of my different colors/scents. One of the best candle tools I've ever had... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 I have always used an old wooden spoon. I think a whisk would incorporate too many bubbles into the wax? Thats why I never tried using one. I learned getting bubbles out of my wax, particularly in my paraffin pillars, was a chore. I still use skewers but just for poking relief holes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonshine Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 Lol- yep and I found in a kitchen store by me these high temp flat spatula things that are amazing for stiring and wipe right off plus you can scrape all the wax out of the pour pot which I need with pouring at such a low temp 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megandgarr Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 I save the chopsticks that we get when we order Chinese food and those work great as stir sticks, LOL. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grama Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 I stir with stir sticks which I bought when I first started making candles. Use the same one over & over and just wipe off with a paper towel. I also don't stir but for maybe 30 seconds or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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