Lightning Bug

Hi Geek. The wax is about a year+ old. I know it is from the Dec o4 batch that some had problems with. I just can't bring myself to throw out the rest (about 170 lbs.) left after a year of on and off testing. I will cut back on FO %, didn't mean to get that much in. This wax can throw really good at 8-9% as the first tests (before the 200 lb.) were very positive and I got good results with an Eco 6 in a full FO load and color in the jj. That's why for now I want to mix something with this and get a decent candle and then after this is gone, go from there. Maybe I should just put it down to experience and start anew but I guess I'm to stubborn. It does make good tarts...but that is a lot of tarts! Beth

I'm still trying on my old batch of 415. Poured 8 oz. jelly jar with 9% FO (the wax supplier goes even higher), off white (barely) and a HTP 126 wick. Two hours later it is almost out and not a full melt pool. two and a half hrs. later it is out. Jason mentioned adding crisco and am playing around with amounts but wondered if anyone uses KY 115 soy that melts at a lower temp. as an additive? Wondered about adding this or trying to add some paraffin (ordered some Harmony blend as it has a lower melt point but now reading that it smokes fairly regularly...(I need to do more homework before I let my credit card do the walking! LOL). Any help? I hate to go to a bigger wick in such a small jar. TIA. Beth

Yes, Candleman. I ordered a slab of paraffin yesterday. So, back to the drawing board. Have you added some and how much did you try? I would like to stay with all natural candles, but after a year of testing, I still haven't found one to sell. I just found "Let It Shine" company in Seattle. Have any of you used her natural waxes and what are they? I did email her, so hope to learn more as they are so much closer to me. Beth

Hi Island girl! Just wondering what you did with your pallet of soy? I still have about 200 lbs. of soy that (after almost a year) I'm still not thrilled with. But, one plus with the straight soy is even if it burns irradically, it usually has a great throw. After trying Greenleaf's 70/30 blend, I'm sold. Just have to do something with all the rest. Looks like a lot of fire starters! LOL. Beth

My best tester in the jj is the Eco 6. It is 2" down by now, so not sure about the beginning melt. Gotta love this wax! Beth

Hi again. I am using Snowtop soy (GF 415) and Bluegrass Blend (with cottonseed). The Snowtop difinitely takes a bigger wick as their site suggests a 126 in an 8 oz. jelly jar and most times a 105 won't even cut it in the jelly. On both of their forums, people have good results with 60C and 62C, but I hate the mushrooms. Now the blend is a bit easier and with a few lighter scents, I've had a 126 work. And, I'm beginning to really like the LX wicks. Hoping a LX 28 or 30 will work in the squares. I love these jars but hate the wicking. Beth

Hi. I have used those as well as a HTP 1312, CD 18, 62C and a RRD 55. A lot depends on your type of soy, FO % and thickness, and color. My soy does seem to take a larger wick than some of the others. Beth

Wish I lived in Texas. Idaho is a lot of shipping costs! This wax is soooo pretty. Beth

Hi. Just posted on the general forum. I just poured Greenleaf's 70 soy/30 paraffin and it looks really nice. As more people try her blend, I'm sure there will be many posts. Shiny and creamy, easy to use though a bit sticky, and so far, no wet spots or frosting. Burn and scent throw will have to wait, but so far it seems like a great mix. I had thought of trying some of the other blends out there, but this is my second and so far the best. I know that it's not close to you, but check it out...She may be still offering free samples. Beth

Well, I followed the directions and poured at about 150. Used 4 drops of brown, 8.4% FO, and did warm the jar slightly. It came out looking great...glossy and creamy, smooth top with just a slight depression (but I had a sick granddaughter here also and I poured pretty fast). So far no frosting, no wet spots and looks impressive. I think the Indonesian Teak might be a more subtle scent, but it does have a cold throw. Will cure, wick, and see how it burns. So far, I'm impressed! Beth

Oh, I forgot to ask...are you all testing at 6% FO? TIA. Beth

Hi. Hey Aileen and Sherrie, Can you tell us what wick and size jar you tried with this wax? I think it would be a smaller wick than the 100% soy, right? So in a square mason, (3"diagonal) I have used 62C, HPT 1212 and CDN 18-20 in straight soy. Do you think I can come down maybe two sizes to start? I have been having such a time getting the 100% soy to wick well that this wax sounds almost perfect. Will pour tonight/tomorrow and see how it looks and then try wicking. Sure was nice of Brenda to make this offer as shipping is so expensive. The Indonesian teak smells good, too. Beth

Hi. Went to the rusticesentuals chart and on other sites, also, I've seen square braid. It this the same as any that normally come tabbed and waxed under a name like LX, Eco etc? I probably should do some research, but it is easier to ask and have experienced candlers make it easier for me to understand. TIA. Beth

Hi. It wasn't my favorite test wax, but some must really like it. It is a cost and a pain, but get several samples from different companies and try them for your own application. The search will give you a lot of info to go through, but might help you decide which to try. Many of the waxes are good, but do have their own specific drawbacks that people have learned to work around. And, as I have found, just because it works for one, not everyone gets the same results. (I am still trying to figure this one out) Hope you find what you are looking for. I am narrowing it down, but still testing and open to new options. Guess that is the joy of soy! LOL. Beth

Hi Brenda. Yes, it must be overwhelming with all of us candle makers looking for the perfect wax and great oils...especially for free! One thing, instead of everyone having to email and ask about starting wick sizes, maybe you could give a quick suggestion for the most used jars...ie jelly jar, apothecary etc. I know you couldn't go over each and every jar type, but most of us use more than one jar type anyhow. Looking forward to my samples. Thanks for such a great offer and everyone so far sounds like your oils rock. Beth

Hi all. When double wicking, is there a trick to getting the flame height even? I do try and trim to the same height, but, even a little not-noticeable variation causes one flame to be bigger and it looks off center. Could it be I am going with too small of a wick and one is starting to drown? I've just started trying soy in 10 oz. apothercary jars and know they will need to be double wicked so any advice is appreciated. TIA. Beth

Hi Jeana. I tried a long time ago to double wick these and maybe will try again. Actually I do have CDNs and think they do fairly well. But I like Tops idea about longer burns. When I let them go for 4+ hours, they are making a meltpool and not throwing too badly. Will have to play around with both ideas. What size CDN would you try for double wicking? I like the way the Eco wicks burn also as they have so little mushrooming. Thanks. Beth

Thanks Top. I see what you mean about the time. My daughter-in-law burns hers for longer than the 3-4 hours. I guess I thought I had to have at least a 1/4" MP by 3 hours to be successful. And, it seems that the MP forms more quickly after several burns. (Or am I just imagining that?) I just wicked the same jar with an 18 CD and it actually seems to be throwing better. Now to wait to see if I ever get a full MP. I know these jars are on the edge of wicking with one wick, but since the opening is the same as a jelly jar, this just doesn't seem logical to need two. And, I do think these are just the neatest (word?) country looking jar. Thanks again. Beth

Hey Top! The next question is, if I wick down which was my first thought, wouldn't the MP get smaller and since throw comes at least partly from the melted wax, wouldn't it be less? And, Scentlady,even without the stearic (which I am thinking of dropping) a 105 doesn't usually create a full MP even in a jelly jar with heavier scents for me (many say yes it works for them). I know cottons mushroom, and have tried lots of wicks but not sure where to go next. The Eco 14 doesn't seem large enough, the CD 20 did ok, but no scent throw, the HTP 1312 was too big (but MP was good) and I haven't tried the LX in it yet. As far as throw of this particular FO, it has done wonderfully in some soys I have used, but I suppose each soy has it's own properties. Guess I'll try the 60C first and then, any suggestions, Top? You always have such good answers. Makes me not feel so dumb! Thanks. Beth

HI. I know this sounds like a really dumb question, but here goes anyway: Can you have a wick that is too big and still not be getting a huge melt pool? By too big, I mean flickering and occasional slight smoking in small bursts with a 1/4" MP after 2 1/2 hours on third burn. In BG soy/cottonseed blend with 1/2 tsp vegie stearic, 8.7% mango papaya FO, shave of color block and a 62C wick in a 8 oz. square mason (almost 3" diagonal). Throw is so-so. In most of these jars, a 60C won't make a complete MP. I tried a CD 20 and had a 1/4" MP but hardly any throw. Ideas? TIA. Beth

Not sure about this, but maybe there is a readable difference in the melt temperature? I always thought pillar wax was harder but someone is sure to know more about it. Beth

CAn anyone tell me the difference between C-1 Phytowax and C-1 Nature wax? Just wondering. TIA. Beth

Hi Sabrina. I had some soys I really liked but they stated you should use no more than 6% FO, so I passed them up at first. Later when speaking with one of the companies, they said if I added stearic or an additive (I would think beeswax might qualify...would have to check first) I could increase my load accordingly. So then, I added 1 Tbsp veg. stearic per pound and went as high as 9% with no problem. You could always add less FO if that were your choice, but it opens the options. Not sure about other types of wax, but you might look into it from the same angle. Beth

How do you measure a jar temperature? Just hold a thermometer against the glass outside? Just wondering as safety is always the first issue. Thanks. Beth

Hey Mark, on the C3, what % of FO do you use? Thanks. Beth