Sebleo

I'm sorry, Trappeur, I double checked my sample bottle from CS. I was thinking of a different oil I was comparing. The one from CS is heavier on the peppermint oob than Lonestar.

I have a sample from CS that I haven't used yet. I got it to compare to Lonestars I have been using for years. I love their Peppermint Bark. It threw extremely well in the old PB and it throws really well in feather palm. When I made candles almost 10 years ago you could twist off the lid and smell it immediately from 5 feet away (in a parasoy blend) You smell a little more of the chocolate. ..about 60/40 chocolate to peppermint. And CS smells the same oob.

As far as using less than 18%, I don't know. I will try. LoneStar has a break down for the new waxes they tested on their Facebook page and they got below average to average results at 10%. Average to above average at 18%. So, I really wanted to see what it would do at the max and back off from there. I'm getting over my cold finally so I will resume testing next week. I will post more results when I have them.

Thanks for the input everyone. I use 20w hotplate and 25w bulb warmers from candlewarmers.com. My issue comes from my sinuses...they are always at least halfway stopped up. So, I'm never fully confident when it comes to throw and heavily rely on friends and coworkers reviews. I have noticed since moving into a new house that does not have ceiling fans that I will think something is a dud until the ac kicks on. Like I said earlier, on top of my own personal smell issues, I just don't know what the standard is...if there even is one. So Im not sure what I'm trying to aspire to. But I appreciate your replies.

I have made a few test batches of melts with the Q230. I did them at the max load of 18%. I tested at 24 hours (since I had enough and was curious), 5 days, and 2 weeks out. One performed really well at 24 hours but the rest did better at the 5 day and 2 week mark. Both CT and ht were great. I've had to pause on testing due to a cold. So, I'm still testing for longevity. But, I test my melts by writing down what time I turn my melter on/off and leave it on for 4 to 8 hours at a time. I take notes on how it's throwing throughout the process. Trying to simulate how customers would use it. I also do a test run with leaving it on til it dies out. Also, I do this in a bedroom and then in my kitchen/dining to see how it goes in other/larger parts of the house. If I'm satisfied with my results I give it to testers to get some outside feedback.

You are on the right page with everyone now as far as weight of the candle. No, you don't want to fill it that high. Back it off to where you are comfortable with the fill and then weigh it. So, you may have a 7oz or 7.5 Oz candle.

Ok, a follow up question that may be easier to answer. Is there a market for wax melts that last 25-40 hours per ounce with a throw in just one or two rooms? All the other melts I have tested seem to throw into a larger space, but only for 4 to 6 hours then they fade out. I feel good about the longevityof mine, but am concerned with the space the fragrance fills. Any thoughts?

Thanks everyone! Yeah, we're actually 3 hours away. I pass that way to to get to Galveston for my cruises.

East Texas...Marshall. I've lived in Shreveport, LA for the last 20 years and just moved over the state line last year. I still work in Shreveport though. Where are you?

I made candles many years ago as a hobby. Now I am making wax melts and have been testing and researching for close to a year. I would like to launch in the spring. Most of my reviews have been great. But a few have been so so. The so so reviews come from people that are using them in very large, open spaces... kitchen and dining combo and kitchen, dining, and living room combos. They say they smell great but not as strong as they would like. I have been researching forum and review sites like mad for the last 6 months trying to figure out what the norm is or what people are getting from other wax. I have purchased many wax melts to compare to mine as well. Reviews are all over the place but one thing that is consistent is one person' "lasts a long time" does not equal the next persons "lasts a long time" What is the norm? What do you set up as your parameters? As in, what size space do you try to fill and for how long?

I've been a crafter since I was a kid and my grandma taught me how to crochet. I've always enjoyed making things and started making candles 10 years ago. Candles were an on again off again project for many years. It was my dream to start a business, but work and finances always got in the way. So, I'm finally at a point where I can invest all that is needed and am really excited. And nervous because I'm so close! It is great to find this site and I'm looking forward to being a part of your community. Happy holidays!