Using Essential Oils in Candles

[coachtom]

Thinking of making a few candles in soy using essential oils instead of traditional FOs. Using C-3, status jars, no color.  I wanted to get some insight as to what to expect from wicks (similar burn to FOs or not), to throw both cold and hot and other considerations. I have been reading quite a bit on the forum and it sounds like a recipe for issues.  Thanks for your feedback as always. 

Edited December 22, 2014 by coachtom

[Guest OldGlory]

I started my business (2001) with essential oil candles. Except with the heavy, oily, resinous types of EOs, I found they burned off too quickly and the scent didn't last. I switched quickly to selling straight EOs with diffusers (a ceramic top wax warmer would be fine). When using EOs in a melter type of appliance, you would half fill the reservoir with hot water (tap is fine), then add a few drops of EOs to that. Let the hot water diffuse the EO. I think melts might work if you allow the wax to get pretty cool before you add the EO, but I have not tried it. It's just a lot easier for me and more effective to use EO straight in my opinion.

Patchouli (heavy and resinous) works great in soy candles.

[Chefmom]

I have had the best luck with essential oils as Old Glory described.  An electric or tealight warmer with water and a few drops of essential oil.  Pure scent that you can control and it can't be easier.

 

It's hard enough to wick a candle with the fragrance oils that are formulated to be standard from batch to batch, let alone essential oils that seem to be different from supplier to supplier and batch to batch.  You could get a good system just to have it change when the new season batch of essential oil came out and no longer worked with your wax/wick system.  That wouldn't be fun in my opinion...