ascentscandle

Most of the palm comes from Malaysia...but to be complete in the argument let's look at the real facts. The land used to grow palm has been deforested for more than a century for palm oil used in foods...don't like that...dont' eat any junk foods either. Soy...the real hard to hear truth is that nearly 75% of US soy is GMO produced by Monsanto...with a ton of money behind the marketing of "support your farmer". That's the biggest lie out there. Monsanto is destroying the American farmer...one by one for giant agri-biz... So soy vrs palm... make what you like...oh and another funny bit, some of the palm fields have been converted to soy...for it's growing popularity. For some more information try www.alohabay.com Best of luck.

All I used to use was "natural waxes". Then came to realize that paraffin is just as "natural" in its end state as soy. See http://www.igiwax.com/wax_faq.shtml. Paraffin is derived from mineral oils - that is a natural product and actually is dead plants and animals. Both soy and paraffin are refined and processed to get them where they are. If you go to the EPA's site you'll see that Hexane is one of the prime ways to get the oils out of plant material - including soy - http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/hexane.html. I'm not planning to get to far into this, but I use pure palm (virgin oil, no hexane) because it's so clean. I do not believe that paraffin is natural product...just because you get it from the earth doesn't make it entirely safe...Uranium comes from the ground too:wink2: I think what is missing here in the paraffin discussion is that the wax that is available to us in the USA is a far far superior wax than what they use overseas. So I tell my customers, if you plan to buy paraffin candles, buy American! Oh, and many synthetic fragrances are equally guilty for sooting promblems.

Yeah, there is a problem with the palm currently available. The old stuff from Astorlite in pellets is amazing...just falls out of the mold, but the new batch (granual) won't release. Honeywell sold all of Astorlite to IGI. Candlewic's Palm 2 is in the new form (granual) and does release, but it's not like the old stuff. I got an air compressor. Make sure your supplier tells you what to expect from what they are selling you.

Just wanting to clarify the vanilla you got... True Vanilla is one of the most expensive oils on the market. Typically $1500/16oz at a minimum. Are you sure it's natural? Sometimes they will all it "rectified" or "nature identical"...but these are not essential oils. I know one distributer used to sell a vanilla extract oil, but they haven't had it in ages. Just curious really...wandering where you got it!!

I guess not... Scottopus gave us tons of info...Thanks! My Palm 2 from Candlewic did come out easy, but I hated the smell and the crystals were messed up. so far my best results came from mixing the old PQ with the new PQ in an effort to strectch it out untill the new crop comes in.... Tho I understand that IGI has no intention of buying more until this is gone....not sure. My next plan is the try adding some EcoSoya Pillar...just enough not to interupt the crystal.

I make a lot of sphears with the palm...PQ. They are great. I think the differece might be the wick. I never wick the mold. I always drill the hole after. I also scrape out the excess wax around the seam before breaking the seal and make sure that once the mold is hot with wax, re-press the seal. I find that the expansion of the plastic can allow the wax to seep out. I also pour at 200.

Great discussion!! Thanks. What is IGI 4786? My product line is strictly vegi... Also, is Vybar a petroleum product?...I've heard of it, but never used it. My experiment went better than expected. I poured at 205 (hotter than they say to use). Once they were completely cool, I was able to flex the mold to release the sides. This will make production harder since I used to be able to get them out well before they were cool, so I could move on. It was easier with 5% stearic....and better yet with 50% old PQ and 50% new PQ. None of my tests included my EOs...that's next. My supplier suggested getting a mini air-compressor, which I may still do. My other test will be to melt these three tests down and repour. I have found in the past that this causes more shrink. Candlewic's Palm 2 was really weird...crystals on the bottom fading to almost no crystal on the top and has a really strange vinegar smell when melted. It did come right out, but made a bigger air pocket than normal. Given what the Malaysian's said, I think Candlewic has added something to it for release...as I understand it, there is no other raw palm available now...so Candlewic will have to work with it too. Julianna

hmmm maybe so. not sure actually...thanks for the info.

Just looking to get some discussion going... Astorlite palms are being sold to IGI due to a major problem with the "raw product". As Honeywell spells it out, they are tired of dealing with the differences each season....massive coorporation selling off a tiny piece. The current problem with the new palm (I use PQ) is the release...there is none. You will notice another difference is the old PQ came in pellets and the new PQ is in granular form. This is not the problem tho...Candlewic's Palm 2 is granular and is fine (for now). As I understand it...there is one major processor in Malaysia who really doesn't care that it doesn't release...Palm is used for so many things, candles are near the bottom of the list. The new PQ looks the same and burns the same...just can't get it out without an air-compressor! I am currently working on different formulations to try to figure out what's missing. Any advise out there?? Did I get any of the above information wrong? Julianna

I have been manufacturing palm candles with only EOs for two years. I use peppermint and lavender (as listed on that site) and my cat is as happy as ever. My opperation is about 3000 pieces a year. I have never heard this until now and am not a believer. My kitty goes to the vet every year and is extreamly healthy...and 9 years old. Just a note, on that site, they listed wintergreen. This is poison to adults and children. 10ml is fatal to children and 30ml is fatal to adults... I have never used it. Also, some people are simply allergic to lavender. It is also important to note that things like thyme occur in as many as 10 varities with different levels of the components that make them smell... EOs are a fantastic alternative to FOs (burning floral-carbons make many of us very sick). To answer the original question... 6-7ml per pound...and always buy in bulk wholesale...you'll never be able to afford retail www.libertynatural.com

Hi, I am a stricktly palm user and solve that issue with a little layer. First try working in only white wax till you get the hang of it. Pour the votive (190-200drgrees) leaving about a 1/4" to fill. Don't mess with them at all...When the tops are fully crystalized and you can tap them with your finger, they will be mostly white wit just a little hint of the beige color left.... pour on the top(also about 190). I try to pour right into the hole, but it doesn't always start to fill. Once my batch is all poured, I go in with some sort of poking device and poke a hole in the top through the cool layer. This allows the air to flow out. For air to escape, it needs two holes...the one it makes on it's own and the one you make. Let me know how you do with this. Julianna