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Testing scent throw (HT)


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When testing HT, is it acceptable to mix 2 oz of wax at various FO loads (1, 1.2, 1.5, etc) and use a tart warmer on each one to see which one throws better?  Instead of making full size (or votive) candles and burning them?

 

 

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That is great if you are only going to make melts but when you add the wick the scent throw can and usually does change. I can not even tell you how many fo I have had that do great in melts but I could not get a decent throw in a candle.

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I ran across this topic and want to ask a follow up question....

 

I agree the throw will be different between the votive and the real candle but I think AZSunset is trying to find a way to determine the right amount of FO for the wax.

 

I would expect that if, for example, 3 votives were created 1 at 6% load, 1 at 8% and 1 at 10% the "order" of HT intensity would be the same between the votive and the candle.  In other words if the the 8% HT was better than the 10% HT in the votive that this would hold true on the candle as well.

 

I think AZSunset is just trying to eliminate making full candles to test the best FO load.

 

Is this safe to say? 

 

 

thanks

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Just because a fo will throw in a melt does not mean it will throw in a candle and vice versa. Not only that the fo loads for each could be very different. Example FO A in a candle my best throw percent is at 5% but to get a strong long lasting melt I might have to use 7% in a melt.

Basically what I am saying is melt and candles are like apples and oranges you can not treat them the same nor are they interchangeable.

Now the comparison with votive and a larger candle that's apples to apples as long as you are using the same wax for both. Now when you move on to making the larger candle you still might have to make minor adjustments in the fo load but it will be minor.

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Everything Vicky said

My melts take more FO to throw good and for a long period of time than my candles with wicks

Testing votives is a Better alternative but like Vicky said it has to be the same wax but you will run into minor differences where the wick sizes are different in a votive than in your jar and FO may have to be adjusted but it can give you a good idea of what percent will throw good in your wax

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Guest OldGlory

I agree with the others. The only way to test a candle is to make a candle and burn it. No short cuts that I know of.

 

You could try not filling your jar completely to save a little money. For example, if you like the 8 oz square mason, fill it a little over half way. You can test the fragrance throw and the burn at the same time.

 

There could still be some variation in the burn if you fill the jar past the widest point, but this is the way I test burn candles.

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You also need to be aware of the conditions when testing. I lit a tester and placed it on a window sill in the kitchen that opened into our sun porch. The candle had a very weak throw and I was disappointed; until I went out on the sun porch and realized that the window drafted in that direction. It was a great candle. The flame creates a draft that forces the fragrance molecules up into the air,whereas a melt does not have a mechanism to push or draft the fragrance (ceiling fans help). Your test should reveal how efficient the candle is from the top to the bottom with that fragrance. Really good fragrance oil should be able to produce desired results at 6% to 7% per pound of wax. Take your time and use high quality raw materials for best results. HTH

Steve

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