ljbristow

I would agree with all of te suggestions above, especially if you have an oil fired floor furnace,etc. Do you have a lot of windows open in your workshop and live rurally where people still burn their trash - I can remeber when I was acould we always had to wipe down the clothesline before hanging out the laundry to dry ( am I dating my self or what!). Do you have/use a fireplace with a damper that might not be open enough? Softwood, pine especially or green wood, generate a lot of soot. Good luck, I live in LA and am kind of used to it as we usually have all the windows open all the time and with LA's polution........ Goodluck JB

Shoot, I just go to the Goodwill store ( second hand store) and look for pots about the size I want to use, usually for 50 cents to a 1.00. Yard sales probably would be another cheap source. I prefer alluminum as it is easier to shape a pouring spout with a pair of pliers. It is sometimes a little tricky to get the spout curved down a bit at the end as that is the trick to minimizing the drips. Josh

Another one I have used is Best Containers - GREAT prices and great service. http://bestcontainers.stores.yahoo.net/metal-tins---cans-round-seamless-tins.html Depending on size container, the lots can run from 250 to 1000, but they do not require full case orders. 8oz tin, lot is 500, lids are 1000, but again you do not have to order full cases as I usually only order a few dozen at a time. JB:D OOPS--used said 6oz: BMDRB6-TOP 6oz Slip on cover $0.14 (case) 1000 /unit price $.13 BMDRB6-BTM 6oz container 2.69 x 1.94 $0.52 (case) 450 /unit price $.45

I discovered them by accident and they are just a couple miles from my house and can drop in to pickup supplies (or you can order on line for "will call" pickup). I think the current manager recently came over from a different position in their wholesale, but has been great to work with. He is working on expanding their offerings and is very helpful when I am having problem or just have a question about a particular candle project. So far no problems with their products, I think it is mostly me learning the right combinations, etc. :yay:

Thanks for your responses, I will try it this afternoon! josh

This thread has been immensely helpful and informative, but it got me to thinking. I am realtively new to making candles for sale (still largely for friends and family right now as I work out technique and process and what my niche will be, but I do have a boutique lined up and can't wait till I star celling to the public!). But a couple of things come to mind in addition to whether the candle is produced with the right wax and/or soy blend with additives and proper wick size etc.; whoever believes that Americans actually read instructions better go back to the alter and pray for guidance.. In addition improper wick trimming and extended burn time. but how often have you gone into someone's home or seen a lighted candle display with the candles in direct sunlight, near some sort of radiating heat source, or just a plain old hot room (90 degrees+). Then to add insult to energy, how many of these candles get burned in a draft free home? Central heat/air and window AC units will create a draft sufficent to effect candle burning qualities even when clear acrossed the room (which can cause problems with both soot, muchrooming, blowouts (even when dipped with a higher melt point coating). We do have a responsibility to produce the best and safest candles possible, but we cannot be accountable for customers ignorance when we present the proper guidelines. I also think some of the marketing descriptions regarding the blackening of container sides or buildup mushrooms are greater marketing ploys/techniques to manage customer expectations. It does excuse poor quality by any means, but does explain would could happen do variables that are sometimes beyond our control to totally resolve. Forgive my wordiness, I just get going some times, especially when it comes to the lack of common sense exibited by our customers. We can't take ownership for that. (Kind of makes you think of the Serenity prayer!) Josh

Since Crisco has an unlisted ingrediant which imparts it's only unique smell/scent when heated, does it have any impact on the various scents used besides just improving the hot throw. ie. the slight aromoa of crisco (someone's cooking in the kicthen with Dina......).

And you always need to make sure that 8" INCHES HAS THE RIGHT COVER on it.. Wouldn't want to set a bad example now would we! JB

A friend suggest a digital thermometer with an alarm. I found one on Amazon for under $20 and fell in love with it and it is a godsend. It could be a little tricky attaching it to whatever type pot you are using, but you can for time or temp. I just set for about 10 degrees below my target. So if I get districted (by the phone, preparing molds, etc), the alarm definitely helps me not forget. Just remember you want to and place as close to what will be the center when the wax has melted. Josh P.S. - don't think for a minute that you can outside and water the garden.. as you never should leave heating wax unattended, but this would be a great backup for even the thermostatically controlled melters.

I just recently got back into candle making after about 30 plus years and have almost been overwhelmed by the options available today for wax, scents, color options etc. This survey and comments has been very enlightening and helpful. Thanks!!! Josh :yay: