lisa22422

I made a few gel candles, one in a cylinder and a couple in wine glasses, and after a few days, I had these big flat bubbles around the sides about 1/4"-1/2" or so. Any idea why? It doesn't seem to happen in, say, a normal shaped candle jar, so I'm thinking it's the shape of the container but I can't see why it would even happen. Does gel shrink maybe? I used a heat gun on one and put one in the oven and they haven't come back, but I'm wondering now if I have to always do that. Thank you for any replies!

The rocks must be it then. I didn't seal the rocks first but probably the first time I poured, the temp of the gel was low and then when I reheated it, it was fully melted and allowed the evil particles to cloud my gel - from now on, I'm going to seal any rocks or sand first and just use my trusty heat gun on the rest if I need to - and yes, I use the penreco gel (high density). I buy from Aztec. Thank you!!!!

I had a gel candle with a figurine and white rocks in it. It was perfectly clear but I thought it had too many bubbles, so I put it in the oven and it came out cloudy. I don't remember the temperature I put the oven at. I thought maybe it was from smoke from something in my oven but then I took gel from another perfectly clear candle and heated it on the stove and that came out cloudy as well. Does it break down or something if it's heated up and melted too many times or heated above a certain temperature. I just can't find a rhyme or reason as to when it gets cloudy. And I'm not putting any scents or color in it. and i always wash the jar before I put the gel in it. Help please!

Yes - I feel like bubbles are my nemesis!! I hate those little bubbles that stick all over everything but I like the bigger bubbles. I think it's a great characteristic of gel and it makes it so it doesn't just look like decorations in glass basically - but, of course, it's hard to get the big bubbles. I've actually poured it thick and try to layer it back and forth to trap the air or poke my tweezers in the gel - sometimes it works - mostly I just ruin the candle and have to do all over again.... grrrrr....

Yes, sorry, I should have said that I do use the double glass method so I have more of a selection with embeds plus I don't have to worry about someone's container cracking.

Hi, I'm new here and I'm so excited there are others out there to talk to about gel candles! I was just wondering what people think are the best embeds - particularly, I'm going to do some valentine's day candles and was looking around for some embeds and came across some confetti hearts but I don't know if the paper-like material would cause those annoying tiny bubbles to adhere to it the way something like wood does. I'm guessing wood does because there is air inside it though so I thought maybe the confetti would work. I tried to use that clear spray on wood to seal it and that didn't work. Any advice on that too? Thanks guys!

I bought mine from Ebay and it was the first gel so I thought it was great - then she changed suppliers and it was SOOO greasy -so I looked for someone else. Now I use Aztec International at candlemaking.com and I couldn't believe the difference! The wax from ebay had a yellow tint to it. Aztec uses Penreco gel (the original - they hold the patent) and it is crystal clear! And to top it off - they are cheap compared to many others I looked at. 15 pounds for $50 - shipping I think is about $15- maybe a little more. Even if I found cheaper, I'd be scared to buy it for fear that it wasn't as clear now that I know all gel is not created equal!