LilFirecracker

Hope everyone had an awesome weekend! I was talking about my testing the other day. I've seen various ways that everyone deals with removing wax from the warmer dish. Some really don't care if it pops out, if they have to pour it out while hot, or if they have to put it in the freezer for a few minutes to get it to come out. Obviously it would be better (not to mention a great little selling point) if it popped out easily. So I'd like to take a little poll 😃

On a scale of 1 to 5, how important is it to you for the wax to be easily popped out of your warmer dish when you're ready to change scents?

TIA to everyone who participates!

Thanks Candybee! I'm already eyeing that as I remove one tester and put in another. Whatever makes it to the next round will be noted more closely. I played around with 4625 and petrolatum just wax only the past couple of days and I was honestly shocked that it will slide out of a clamshell easier than anything I've used so far. I was expecting the opposite. I guess it was its own lube! 😂

Thank y'all for responding! I've learned so much in my few months here (lurking then joining) and I only wish I would've been here before I placed my first order. Hell, I just realized a couple of days ago I could've saved myself a lot of FO had I tested all of my wax combos for consistency BEFORE using FO! Not really wasted... I'll use it for myself!😃 

I know people are tired of hearing of the same old what seems like a decades-long debate of Soy vs. Paraffin, but I do have something to say about it. I found this great post here from way back in 2006 that was very interesting, to say the least! And pretty entertaining I might add! 🤣 

My post is in no way meant to get anyone stirred up or start any kind of crap. Just the opposite actually. Personally, I love any kind of candle as long as it's made well and smells great!  I assume the majority of consumers feel the same. Everyone's idea of what a "great candle" is will vary greatly. Perception & generalization is what I believe to be one of the biggest problems we face right now as the whole debate continues. Now before everyone starts saying "I don't think that way." or "Not me. I don't believe that." I just mean people as a whole. Everyone. Anyone. No one. It's just a general term for this post's purpose. When people think of paraffin, they automatically think of dirty crude oil, gasoline, & diesel - just to name a few. So that naturally brings some people to believe that paraffin candles are the most chemical-ridden candles of all. Therefore, that pushes them toward a "cleaner" burning candle - Soy, Palm, Beeswax, etc. These consumers that are now worried about burning their paraffin candles are now probably picturing lighting their candles & expect it to start sooting and smoking like a diesel truck shifting gears - puffing out big thick clouds of black smoke each time. They want something better. Safer. Healthier. So they reach for soy, palm, or beeswax. I'll use soy for this example. They believe that since it's plant-derived, it's all-natural and way cleaner & healthier than paraffin. Most don't think about what happens AFTER the soybeans are harvested or the process it goes thru in order to make those soybeans into this waxed loved by so many. Right now it's all basically summed up like this: Paraffin = dirty. Soy, Palm, etc. = clean. 

It seems like the approach we've all been taking trying to explain the good, the bad, & the ugly to people just isn't working and never will. Maybe talking about the pros & cons of each one isn't the approach we should be taking. Instead, I personally believe we should look at what they have in common (both good & bad) and focus on that. For example: Both will make a great smelling candle if a good FO is used and is wicked properly. They can both soot if it's not made properly & wicks aren't trimmed regularly. One is no more "natural"  than the other. You get the idea. If I'm at some sort of market or fair where there are several vendors there and I walk up to your booth, I'm trying to decide if I want to buy a candle from you, you start start trash-talking a candle made from a different wax or another vendor - guess what?? Buh-Bye!!

What are you're thoughts on trying to look at things from another angle?? 😃

Hope everyone has an awesome weekend!! --LilFirecracker🔥

21 hours ago, Candybee said:

Reminder that I suggested only a very small % of coconut oil. No it would not produce a coconut scent.

 

Not sure why you are wanting to lower the MP of your wax. 4625 is already a blended paraffin wax which has had its original MP lowered already due to its blending. It doesn't need any additives as they are already included.

 

Are you trying to avoid a second pour? Do you need a second pour for your melts? If so, have you tried pouring at a lower temp first? I ask because I try to avoid using additives on already blended waxes as it tends to take away or spoil the wax properties rather than enhancing it. 

No, that's not it. Of course nothing is set in stone yet, still have a lot of testing to do. 4625 alone & 4625 combos with 4630 & 4633 are giving me the best hot throws for the longest amount of time. But only the combos where 4625 is at 70% or more. 4625 has a MP of 142 and the small percentage of container wax added just isn't enough to bring that MP down low enough for these low wattage warmers some people have. I want a melt that everyone will be able use and enjoy. I do plan on selling in the future and really making a name for myself. So I only want the best! 😃 It does help that I LOVE what I do - I always have! I've been so down and depressed for the last few years, and I've been thinking about getting this started after a 20-year candle-making hiatus. Now that I've finally held my head high and said "That's enough. I've had it. It's time to do something!" Idk... it's like that black cloud that's been hanging over me for a few years just disappeared. I'm so in my element when I'm working on my melts. My family and even my family doctor noticed a difference in me. Saw my doctor Monday and he asked me what's been going on lately because I have that sparkle in my eyes back that he hasn't seen in years. Then I told him. It just makes me feel so good that people are noticing how happy this is making me!! 😃

The more I read, the more I'm leaning toward the Vaseline. It's 100% white petrolatum that I have. It's for melts. I'm still testing many combos, but the ones that are doing the best are the ones that include a high percentage of 4625 that has a MP of 142. I'm wanting to lower the MP without reducing the scent throw. I was actually coming back to edit and remove mineral oil. I'm nixing that idea. 

As for coconut oil...I have some here. It does have a coconut smell. Would that affect the end result of the scent? If I use Patchouli, would I end up with a Coconut Patchouli? 🤣

I've been testing many, many, MANY different combos and different percentages of 4625, 4630, 4633, and 4794 for melts. It seems so far the ones that last the longest are the ones made with a higher percentage of 4625. Melt points would probably be too high for some lower wattage warmers. Would adding a small amount of Crisco, Vaseline, or mineral oil help? How would adding one of these affect scent throw?

Ooohhhh...that Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream sounds yummy!!!!!🤤

Thank you Miss Mise! Now I feel more confident to try them since I have 2 so far that likes them. I was just so worried about the strength because of their low prices. 

2 hours ago, TallTayl said:

Micro waxes are a BIG class of product. Basically, they are like a super small moleculeversion of petroleum based wax used to  “fill in holes” between other wax molecules. it can raise or lower melt points of the other waxes in the blend you use. It can be a plasticizer, can change viscosity of the melted wax, or harden wax. 
 

The effects of micro waxes and polymers (like vybar and polyboost products) change how the candles set up and cools down and handle changes to ambient temps and humidity. In the case of some naked soy waxes I use, it can control or minimize the granular appearance that forms over time as the soy molecules dry and grow through normal crystallization. Too little does nothing.  Too much can ruin a perfectly good burn.  The tolerances are quite low in most waxes, like fractions of a %.

 

in your melts I would say the micro wax will do little depending on the problem you are trying to fix. but I always advocate trying it out to learn from the proces. 

 

@Brad Ford of Clarus has been so kind through the years to spend time explaining these products on the phone. Maybe he will see this call out and reply to correct my undetailed understanding.

here’s a fun link I learned a lot from:

 

https://igiwax.com/wp-content/uploads/bsk-pdf-manager/NCA_Presentation-Microcrystalline_Wax_use_in_Candles_6.pdf
 

and a link to a producer. Note the melt point and softness have no direct link. A soft micro wax can have a high melt point and Vice Versa. 

https://blendedwaxes.com/product/microcrystalline-wax/

 

Clarus is the site where I found all of those Microcrystalline waxes! I've seen them before on other sites, but they only offered like 1 or 2 and were always 180-190 MP. Clarus had so many choices including the lower MP that interested me. Honestly, I'm not really sure what I want it to do. I'm just really interested in it because of the pliability it offers according to some posts I've read. I'm thinking maybe it would make some of my higher MP wax combos that I'm testing more useable. I'd like better scent throw, but it doesn't seem like it would help with that. UNLESS... If I would have a combo that throws well but is too hard to melt in low wattage warmers? Idk... Just tossing ideas around in my head. I'm not home to check my mail but I think my DB oil should be there today. Can't wait to try it!!! 😃

I'm trying to read up on microcrystalline wax. What exactly would it do for wax melts? I found a low MP one that says 125-145.

Thanks Belinda! I just needed to know if they were up to par with the rest of the suppliers. I know everyone has duds, just wanted to make sure they weren't ALL duds. 

Has anyone tried their oils? They're priced pretty low, so I was wondering if they're any good or it's a  "you get what you pay for" kind of thing. 

Does anyone know where I can get 4627 in smaller than 25lbs? I just need a couple of pounds for testing. ☹️

@MarleighaI wanted to love Blueberry Cobbler so badly, it smelled so good at first. But the blueberry burned off too fast and was left with an artificial type funk in the air. ☹️

Not sure. That's what I'm trying to figure out. I found myself on the Happy Wax website when I was searching and they have a silicone cup they sell, but also a silicone liner that fits snuggly where the dish goes and actually replaces the dish. It just seems like a lot of warmers would struggle to warm the wax enough for a decent throw if it had to heat thru the dish AND a silicone cupcake liner. Idk...maybe someone will chime in who's used them. 

Question: When using silicone liners, baking cups, etc on an electric warmer with a removable dish, do you use it in the dish? Or remove the dish and use it directly on the hot plate? Seems obvious that using it in the dish would reduce the amount of heat reaching the wax, so I would naturally wanna remove the dish and use it directly - but I just need to know for sure. 

From what I've seen, clamshells are only available in PVC or PET. Which one is the preferred for melts. I'm guessing PET, but I'd like to hear from everyone else. 

4 hours ago, soshiegirl said:

@LilFirecracker just go ahead and order TT's Dragon's Blood.  You won't be sorry and you'll never need to look again.  The BEST ever.

I'm waiting on a sample now to try. I have high hopes for it because it sounds like we both hate the sweet, powdery ones like I ended up with. So I know this one won't be like that!😃

@MarleighaWell I'm just now building my stock so I don't have many from there now. Still in testing phase. So far my keepers are Cotton Blossom, Clean Cotton, Cranberry Chutney (potent!), And Plumeria

I've put into wax but haven't yet melted Nag Champa, Firewood (this one comes down to personal preference), and Black Raspberry Vanilla. 

6 hours ago, TallTayl said:

you've hit the nail on the head. THe polymers used in retail waxes have a narrow margin of error. Too much - even a fraction of an oz in a batch - can make the wax look plastic or wiggly when cooled. Dilution is the solution.

 

It happens in veg blends too occasionally.  It's a good idea to keep a stash of "naked" waxes around to help fix those issues when they pop up.

I'm just now seeing your reply. My notifications are wonky lately. Ok, so no fixing it with additives then. Then me thinks I'll throw a little 4625 in it and see where that takes me. Still a no-go for melts, but should make some killer votives. When I decide to try later. Much later. 

If that's what it was, it wasn't a whole lot thank goodness. But yeah, there were a few bubbles on the bottom that once in a while would sizzle and rise to the surface. I turned up the Presto close to 210 and that's when they started coming to the surface. That's when I realized more than likely it was water. Not enough to hurt anything because I'm making melts. Not sure if it would've been enough to mess with a candle though...

Hope this isn't a big no-no, but I will re-post in Wickless to see if I get anything in there. 😃

Ok....from what I can see and what I've gathered from here I think my issues with the brainy-looking 4794 might be an additive issue. Mixing it with just 10% of 4630 or 4633 (either one) smoothed it out completely. Still not going to use it for melts since I still have the longevity issue, but since I still have 15+ pounds of it - I might use it for votives down the road. 

My question is would it be a little bit of Vybar that it's lacking? I'm attaching a couple of pics again for those who missed out on the brain train!🤣