Grungedoll

1 minute ago, Trappeur said:

Sorry Grungedoll, but being I have never used that wax I couldn't even make a suggestion as to what wick to suggest to start off with.

 

Did you let the candles cure b/4 you lit them also?.   That's very very important.   But then paraffin doesn't need what but 2 days?  I don't know.

 

You'll just have to test, test, test, lol, till someone who uses that wax comes along here and makes some suggestions.  Now if you wanted some possible suggestions on 464 or c3, then I could help you with suggestions no problem....I know...just aggravating...

 

Trappeur

Oh that’s ok, thank you for your input anyway! I let them cure for a week. I do have others at home that i made recently where I used a full ounce of falling leaf for three tins and I think it’ll definitely have an amazing throw (the CT is crazy strong) and they are the prettiest candles I’ve made so far! Nice and smooth... I was SO proud. But sadly I can’t stand the scent! So I may not be able to even burn them, haha!

Ive thought a lot about using C3, and I’m still in the process of choosing my rightwax right now... so if I go that route you can bet I’ll be asking some questions!  

Oh also @Trappeur I’d used winter woodland and strawberry and rhubarb for these tins, sorry I forgot to say in my first response. The throw is actually a little noticeable but I think I just used too little.

11 hours ago, Trappeur said:

For a while I had thought of trying out the millenium wax and had researched for a while and I see where the recommended wick was the htp and then came across posts where others preferred Cd's.  Couldn't find any posts where eco's were tested.  So the possibility of a different wick series I would think would be your next choice of wick if you don't succeed with the eco's.  Of course too through testings, some oils being heavier require a larger wick.  I love Candle Cocoon oils and use less percentage of oils being they are so concentrated.  Sounds like you did all well.   In looking at your pictures, yep it does look a tad underwicked, but like TT said, finish the burning series.  You might be better with the eco 14.  What oil of Candle Cocoons is in these tins?  How is the throw on the tins?

 

Trappeur

Thank you, Trappeur. Im glad to hear I’ve done things well.  Ive heard a lot of good things about cd wicks and htp too,  so I’m definitely thinking about grabbing some. Do you think they’d work well in CB-130? I’d heard of ECO working well in millennium and that which is why is grabbed them first, but I’d love more input. Any idea where would you start size wise with either of those wicks for an 8 ounce tin with a 3” diameter...?

These are so pretty! and I love theme.

35 minutes ago, Jcandleattic said:

I don't think so. As someone stated earlier, as long as the person is not as close to the vapors as you, the maker, are, then I think they should be fine. 

Just like having an extra concentrated strong melt going. (that's my personal opinion though, others may have different views) 

That’s what I was thinking, but I just wanted to make sure! 

28 minutes ago, Kerven said:

Don't work with fragrances around flames (even the pilot flame of a hot water heater or furnace) or things that spark?

Of course!

Reading over this, I honestly think I wasn’t very good at explaining what I’d done in my original post :/ As I said- I’d used that .05 oz. of FO for a little over a pound of wax to fill three 8 oz. tins with three different wicks... Not just the one tin (that would be a lot of FO for one ) this is one of them. So I think that’s where some of the confusion came from. I’m sorry! Hahah. Thank you again for all your help! And Ive noticed already that the learning never stops.. but being something I genuinely enjoy, I’m glad. It’ll keep me interested and make me strive to be better at it. It helps having boards like this as well to help you along the way!

So not to repeat myself but to make sure, I’m right in thinking as far as good ventilation (I plan to open windows and turn on the exhaust fan over my stove) that others that maybe around are safe with it being in the air? I figured I’d make them when I’m alone at home as much as I can and then air out the apartment before anyone else maybe around. Is that good enough....? Any extra precautions I need to consider? You don’t know how much your help so far has helped calm my paranoia! Haha.

16 minutes ago, Candybee said:

 

That looks great! Its a good price too. Looks just like mine. It really keeps out all the noxious vapors you can't see coming off the fragrance oils as you pour them and stir them into your wax.

 

You will have to get used to not smelling your scented wax as you mix and pour your wax. I got into the habit of putting the FO bottle next to each scent I just poured so I know what labels to put on the jars. This can help save you some frustration. You think you know all the scents until you get that one batch that for the life you you can't tell which one it is. LOL Ask me how I know!!

Awesome! I’m sure that’ll be the one I’m going to grab or this other one for paint fumes. I just wasn’t sure what it should say it blocks out since nothing says “fragrance oils”, obviously

and thats at a good tip! Luckily I’m only pouring so much right now to start but I’m sure for more that’ll get more hard to keep them separated!

That was my original plan but as I said, they were more concentrated (candle cocoon fo) and I’d read a bunch of posts where most people said they’d used half with their lb of wax since it’s so strong. 

When testing I’ve also been letting it burn for 3 hours and putting it out each time since I’ve read you should let it burn an hour for the diameter of the container. But then I’ve also read some people say to burn it longer.

Just so many opinions and specifications..... I really hope I can get the hang of this at some point soon!

I’ll definitely be adding it to my list! I wasn’t sure if they’d be ok to wear while stirring and everything or not.

Just regular latex gloves? I take it you only wear them when adding the FO with candles?

I guess from the way you explained it, it was more 0.5 oz. as it took maybe a tiny bit less than half of the 1 oz. bottle I used. How much do you normally use in a lb of wax (a little over a pound fills 3 8 oz. tins)? I’ve always read that 1 oz. was the norm per 1 lb wax, so I figured if I tried about half I’d be in a good starting place as it was a very concentrated oil. Is that not true for tins....?

2 hours ago, TallTayl said:

.5 oz of fragrance is about 8% in that size tin. That’s not “a little”, it’s a bit more than the usual 6% many use as a bench mark. It appears a bit underwicked from these photos for that fragrance and burn style, but a single moment in time picture does not tell the whole story. It could also be a result of the length you trimmed the wick to each time it was lit. 

 

your result of this one does not auto,atically mean the same for all future fragrances (or even this fragrance) in this setup. the fragrance itself could have altered the burn. Eco 10 in millennium with my last burn presented a much bigger melt pool with far less hang up on my tin.

 

a typical test burn by labs like precision wicking is about 4 hours in a 70*F room. That last hour makes a huge difference. I would finish this tin as you’ve been testing, then make another set the same way, cure for a week or three and let burn for a little longer each time. Leave one with a slightly longer wick before burning. Leave one untrimmed.  As little as 1/8” of wick difference upon lighting can make a difference between a tunnel and a completely clean-of-wax container.

Well, Id used 0.05 ounces.....? My apologies if I’m explaining things incorrectly. I’m still trying to get this measuring thing down.  didn’t even use the full ounce, so I didn’t believe I’d added too much. I also have been trimming the wick each time... but maybe I’d trimmed to much or something.

Thank you for your input though. I believe I’m going to just look at these as my “getting used to doing the basics” such as pouring and so on...!and really test once I change waxes, as I believe I’ll be switching for numerous reasons. We shall see.

Also, I've read a lot lately about people wearing gloves while working... is this more just in case of splashing wax? What kind of gloves..?
Questions! Questions!

So, I’ve been doing some test burns with my first ever pour of candles (they’re the most cured :)) I made three with an eco 10, 12, and 14 wick. These photos show the one with an eco 12 wick almost down to the bottom in millennium wax with very little FO (.5 oz) in an 8 oz tin after the fifth burn of 3 hours. I’m just curious since I know I’ve read a few times that you want to leave some hang up on the tins (so they don’t get too hot to handle) if this is still too much left over wax? The eco 10 has left just a little more than this on the sides and I haven’t burned the 14 just yet. I maybe switching waxes completely to a parasoy if I wind up liking the one I recently ordered so I know that might totally switch up my wick game... but basically I’m just posting these to get an idea of just how much hang up IS too much on an 8 oz tin no matter what kind of wax...?

Thank you everyone for all of the responses! It's been really helpful.

I'm thinking this one maybe good... I'll be going to grab it sometime this week! You think it'd be a good choice @Sebleo @Candybee? It's a 3M model and has good reviews...

https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-Medium-House-Hold-Multi-Purpose-Respirator-65021HA1-C/202080143

 

31 minutes ago, Candybee said:

I've been using a respirator for years when I make candles. It keeps you from breathing in the toxic vapors. Trust me they can damage your lungs so if you plan to make a lot of candles invest in a good one. One that is OSHA approved. I got mine at Lowe's Home Improvement. It was around $35-$50... not sure how much as its been a long time.

I’m definitely going to look into it! Thank you! Do you remember what brand it is? And do you worry about other people that maybe in the same room as you breathing it in while you’re making it? I’m making mine in my kitchen and obviously they aren’t exactly “over it” like we are... but as I told Jcandleattic, I’m just covering all my bases and looking for as much info as possible, haha.  

8 minutes ago, Jcandleattic said:

First, never ever be sorry for posting. We love active posters. 

 

Second, there are a few posts on this topic. 

For me, no I don't have this concern. I do use a respirator when mixing my fragrances, especially if I am making a big run of soaps or candles, but I have been making candles for 20 years, burning them in some form (for testing or pleasure) almost on a daily basis this whole time, and I've never had ill effects because of it, nor has anyone in my family. 

That is just my opinion though, take it how you will... 

Well that’s awesome to know. It’s great getting input from someone that’s been making candles as long as you have, so I really do appreciate it. 

What kind of resperator are you using? Do you think if someone’s in the area while making them that they’re at risk at all? My fiancée is obviously around sometimes as I make them in our kitchen... and I’m just trying to cover all my bases, haha.

So first, my apologies for posting so much! haha. I know I’ve been doing so a lot since I’ve joined here... but I’ve also been reading so, SO much lately about how to do so many things, what’s best for what, different choices I have in every piece of everything....and I truly appreciate the input you get on this board and opinions any of you may have in the world of candle making.

(Getting to the point... :))

With all the things you can read on the internet these days, and being new at making candles myself... I felt the need to ask. Do any of you feel concern for your own health while making candles? I was standing over some melted wax the other day, just stirring and thinking to myself... (I’m sure this has been discussed before in the past... :/ so sorry for re-asking, but you may have different opinions now anyway or learned something different yourself about the subject... so why not?) I know that I really want to one day a little further down the road once I’ve done enough testing on everything and feel I have come to a good place- to make this a business... and I may just be paranoid... but honestly, do you feel you might wind up with health problems caused by melting all the FOs or all the waxes in the long run? Or those who maybe around you while you’re doing it could too? I’m a firm believer in doing what you love to do, and I have no plans of giving up or being “scared off” I just would feel terrible to put anyone’s health in jeopardy and I just wanted to see what anyone else had to say about it.

Thank you!

1 hour ago, Sarah S said:

When I first started making candles a couple years ago, I got a slab of Joy wax and I really liked it. Then I switched over to Candlewic's CBL 125 and I LOVE that. I recently got a slab of Joy wax again to play around with, and I have to say I was not pleased with its performance at all. I have never used 6006, but I do use and like Candlewic's CBL 130, which is a similar parasoy blend. Comparing the 130 to the Joy wax, the Joy wax exhibits more sooting, poor wick performance, and greatly reduced hot throw. Obviously I had lower standards when I was first starting out, lol.

If you are looking for a parasoy blend to try, I think Candlewic's CBL 130 is an excellent wax. Just my experience!

I’ll definitely have to look into that! Thank you! Do you feel that you get the best hot throw from it? What wicks do you use?

17 minutes ago, Tokoo said:

I personally like IGI 6006, I haven't had issues with HT however most of the scents I use are pretty strong. I have heard of a few scents not working well with it, but not sure which ones.

I have never used Joy Wax, so I have no clue how it is. 

What scents are you using? And what wicks?

Or if anyone has an opinion on 6006 that would be helpful as well.

My apologies as I’m not sure if this should go here or a different section, does anyone still use joy wax? I’m contemplating trying it or 6006 for some better hot throw.

2 minutes ago, TallTayl said:

I like the eco 10 in that wax in tins for most scents. Am getting great throw and (so far) nice burn. It won’t get quite to the edges for the first couple of burns, which is good. The problem with tins comes at burn #3 or 4 when if the rate of consumption is not matched with the heat the whole second half of the tin goes all liquid. That happens to me with cd and others. 

Thanks, TallTayl,

Im actually test burning with an Eco 10 right now as we speak and I’m honestly liking how it’s burning so I guess it could be a good choice too, this is just my first ever test burn and I didn’t use enough FO  (as it was candle cocoon and I was concerned about it being too strong.) I just finished the second round of burning just now and it’s doing alright... still not full meltpool (which I know is ok) I just wasn’t sure if maybe I might be better of with something besides Eco in the long run. If i can still with them though, that’s ok too!

At the moment I am using ECO wicks and they're fine.. however, I'm curious if they just don't burn hot enough or if I'd be better off with a different kind of wick for my Enchanted Lites Millenium wax candles. I'm making them in 8 ounce tins from candle science with about 1 ounce of FO (could possibly go a little more), no dye. Does anyone have an preference between the HTPs, CDs, or premiere wicks? Or have any idea which of each would be close to an ECO 12, 14 or 16? I wish I could find a good chart. Every wick chart I look at seems to say something totally different. :/