DCarter23103 Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 I'm learning to make candles and love it! Right now, I'm focusing on 1 wax (Ecosoya CB 135) and 3 travel tins and testing the heck out of wicks and fragrances. It's been challenging and eye opening, to say the least.For a couple of months,, I've had a container candle on my desk from a famous high end department store that is known for these candles (not sure if I can say which one on this board). Two days ago, I thought I'd light it and see how the "professionals" do when making a candle. This is supposedly a soy blend candle. It uses vanilla bean fragrance. I trimmed the wick to 1/4" using a wick trimmer and while I get a great HT and strong flame, it flickers like crazy, smokes and the wick has "frayed" during the first 2 burns (right now it's mushrooming like crazy). Doesn't seem like anything I do can stop it from smoking.My questions are:1. What causes the smoking? I know it's probably a wick issue but is it too small? Too large?2. I may be overly picky about this now since I'm testing the heck out of my candles, but do the large manufacturers not test wicks and fragrances before selling candles? What gives?Thanks!Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest OldGlory Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Who knows what their process is? I was disappointed with every Yankme candle I bought, except the votives. I am sure their first priority is to make a dollar. It is very possible that the company from which they buy wicks changed their product and didn't tell the big name candle you are burning - lots of things can and do go wrong.Generally speaking, when you have smoke/soot, you are using the wrong wick - BUT, that is a generalization. My first guess would be that the wick is too big. A wick that is too small appears to have trouble staying lit.You will make yourself crazy if you compare your product to what the big companies are making. It is probable that you can make a better candle! Just keep testing and don't compromise your values. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCarter23103 Posted October 30, 2014 Author Share Posted October 30, 2014 Thanks Old Glory!! Im having a lot of fun and every day has been a learning adventure. In my wick testing, I have had some wicks that had trouble staying lit but not the smoking part (so thanks). This forum has been really great and you ladies and gentlemen inspired me to give it a try! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest OldGlory Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Any time, DCarter. Lots of friendly and helpful folks here at CraftServer.How are the tins doing? I sell a lot of 8 oz tins to one of my wholesale accounts, with 464 wax, dye, 6% FO load, and Premier wicks.Wicking can be a real pain in the tush! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCarter23103 Posted October 30, 2014 Author Share Posted October 30, 2014 I'm really liking the tins!!! I thought tins would be a good place to start after all the reading that I did on this forum. Honestly, everything I read about frosting, wet spots and rough tops had me a little bit scared. I figured that since no one can see thru the sides of a tin, I won't have to worry about the frosting and wet spots. I'm testing 2 oz, 4 oz and 8 oz tins. I travel a lot with my job and take those types of candles with me so it made sense. I'm a CP soaper and also make all kinds of lotions, shampoos, etc so I have a ton of fragrance oils. Originally, I started with a candle making set from Peak. It included 8 oz tins, the CB 135, wicks, etc. I found that the wicks they included don't work to my satisfaction with that wax or the fragrances. So then I found my way over here and started reading. Due to your posts, Old Glory, I picked up a big sample pack of Premier wicks (as well as others) and then ordered a bunch of wax samples from Peak. I like the CB 135 but I saw that you also use 464 and 6006 so I'm trying those too. So far, with the CB 135, I'm liking the Eco wicks. I"ve gone thru 10 lbs of the 135 and will be ordering more. I thought soap was addicting---this is ridiculous!!! (but I love it!) If I can figure this out, I may give a few candles as gifts to family members (only the ones that are good with candle safety). I'm actually pretty close to getting the wicking right for CB 135 and these tins. I think I'm just 1 test away (they're curing now) for the couple of FOs I've been testing (all holiday scents). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest OldGlory Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 Sounds like you are doing just great! I'm sure your family will love your candles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbrooks Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 I wish you so much good luck! I've been testing on and off for a little more than a year, and wicking still has me tripped up. You're already doing better than I was, I was all over the place. I tried about 6-8 waxes and I have sample packs of every kind of wick. Finally in the past couple of months I have narrowed down to 2 waxes for testing and have had the best luck with wooden wicks, surprisingly!It's definitely a journey, but you're off to a great start!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCarter23103 Posted October 31, 2014 Author Share Posted October 31, 2014 JBrooks:I haven't tried wooden wicks but at some point I will. What do you use them for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbrooks Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 (edited) JBrooks:I haven't tried wooden wicks but at some point I will. What do you use them for?I use a 10 oz jar that is 3" in diameter. I'm testing 4627 and 3022, and I get mine from woodcandlewick. They have a bajillion sizes there but they also offer a good sampler kit to try, that's where I would start! They've been nice so far, but I'm still dabbling and haven't made any decisions. Definitely worth trying out though! Edited November 1, 2014 by jbrooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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