Caramel

Sorry for the late response! I'm using wood incense and I think letting them dry longer helped with one of my fragrances. Still a little (tiny) smoking, but not as much, so that's progress! Plus the sticks aren't as dark, so I think they weren't as dry as I originally thought. Ugh, I dislike waiting so long, but it will be worth it if I get a good smell, light and burn (almost 55 minutes!). Thanks, as always! Now if only making candles were this "easy".... *SIIIIIGH!*

I'm driving myself CRAZY! So I tried more DPG than FO. I dipped, then dried... fragrance wasn't strong and still some black smoking when first being lit. At least with the other batches (50/50 blend I allowed to soak for 24 hrs, then dry for 24 more hrs) had one or two FOs that didn't smoke (as much) and the fragrance was strong. So I went back to the 48 hr method and tried a 50/50 with a new FO blend and the fragrance was strong, but the dreaded black smoke when being lit (when on fire) came back. What the hell is going on?! I guess I'll try to up the DPG again and see what that does... so frustrated. At least I have something to do between incense, candle testing and jewelry.... *sigh*

I just saw this after I posted. I guess I'll sit these to the side and try testing my other 3 testers. Thank goodness I'm not dealing with dye, too... I think I'd curl into a ball and cry! LOL

@IwantItgreen- I was SOOOO hoping it wasn't the dreaded cure time. *siiiigh* LOL I searched here and some of my old notes and sites. But thanks for the response! I'm concerned about the mushrooming, too. I don't think I should wick up higher than an ECO 10 (concerned about glass being too hot). Or do you recommend trying a ECO 12 or switching to CDs or CDNs? Should I continue to test burn these even if there's not HT? Thanks for the help!

So I had to put this hobby on hold for a long while due to being layed off and looking for a new job (no extra cash). I recently began testing incense and thought to start testing my candles again with unsuccessful results... so here goes my findings: __________________________________ Scent: Apple Melon (NG - personal FO mix) Wax: 464 |Wax Amt: 8 oz. |Wick: ECO 10 then switched to ECO 8 |Jar: Libbey 6 oz. (2 7/8” dia.) Heated: 180* |FO Added: 180* |FO Amt: ½ oz. |Cure time: 24 hrs. I was unable to get an accurate temp reading, so I gave an estimate. I poured 6 oz. while hot and got a medium to strong scent. I allowed candle to set up for 24 hrs. before first burn. Good CT and smooth tops. - Test #1: During 1st hr. with ECO 10, the candle reached a FMP and the glass was warm; stopped test and decided to melt down candle and re-wick with ECO 8. Uneven/pocked top when cooled. - Test #2: Allowed to burn for three hrs. Achieved FMP during 3rd hr. Flame was steady; the jar remained luke warm/warm, no mushrooming and some hang up on the jar. All seemed successful with exception that the HT was faint. Smooth top when cooled. - Test #3: Allowed to burn for three hrs. Achieved FMP during 3rd hr. Flame steady, but low; jar luke warm/warm, no mushrooming and slight hang up. Still no HT improvement. L ____________________________________ Scent: Tropical Violet (CSci - personal FO mix) Wax: 464 |Wax Amt: 8 oz. |Wick: ECO 10 |Jar: Libbey 6 oz. (2 7/8” dia.) Heated: 180* |FO Added: 180* |FO Amt: ½ oz. |Cure time: 48 hrs. I was unable to get an accurate temp reading, so I gave an estimate. I poured 6 oz. while hot and got a medium to strong scent. I allowed candle to set up for 48 hrs. before first burn. Good CT and smooth. - Test #1: Allowed to burn for three hrs. Achieved ¼ “ FMP during 3rd hr. Flame was steady and fluctuated between low-med; the jar remained luke warm/warm, no mushrooming and no hang up on the jar. All seemed successful with an ok HT. Smooth top when cooled. - Test #2: Allowed to burn for three hrs. Achieved a little over ¼ “ FMP during 3rd hr. Flame was steady; the jar remained luke warm-warm, large mushroom developed and no hang up on the jar. No HT improvement. L _______________________________ Scent: Blossoms (NG - personal FO mix) Wax: 464 |Wax Amt: 8 oz. |Wick: ECO 10 |Jar: Libbey 6 oz. (2 7/8” dia.) Heated: 180* |FO Added: 180* |FO Amt: ½ oz. |Cure time: 72 hrs. I was unable to get an accurate temp reading, so I gave an estimate. I poured 6 oz. while hot and got a medium to strong scent. I allowed candle to set up for 72 hrs. before first burn. Ok-Good CT and smooth top. - Test #1: Allowed to burn for three hrs. Achieved ¼ “ FMP during 3rd hr. Flame was steady; the jar remained luke warm/warm, mushrooming developed and was large at end of burn and no hang up on the jar. No HT. L I’m thinking that my wax may be a problem (it was left over from when I was testing over a year ago) or the FO (about the same age as the wax, but it smelled strong OOB). I also had some off-center wicking (either this or the curling wick). I’m really stumped and the only thing I can think of is to buy new supplies and start over… *sigh* Any suggestions? (Will add pics later- having trouble loading them)

I remember finding some here: http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/StoreCategory.aspx?CatalogID=2&GroupID=11&CategoryID=2132&CategoryName=+Cosmetic+Additives+-+D+to+K

http://www.saltworks.us/sea-salt.asp

The same! Rubberband or twist ties over a pan (I cover the pan with foil so it catches the oil and I can drain it back into a bottle for storage until I use it again). I use our small 1/2 bath downstairs for soaking/drying and it makes it and the house smell great when the door is open. The mister loves them and has been encouraging. I'm so excited by this project!

A week... really? Wow. So I let them dry for a day and a half and lit two scents. One was still a bit smoky, so that needs some work (but the cherry based scent was good and strong). The other wasn't but I notices teeny sparks(?), but it worked great! (this lime based scent may need work or not suitable for incense, just candles). I think I'll keep working from 50/50 until it's just right. Thanks to you all for the help- and helping me keep my sanity! lol

I saw that, too, and thought, "No way, no how!". I would be insane waiting. I wonder if adding additional DPG to the ones I already made will fix the problem? At this point, it can't hurt...... (right?)

OMG, so I've been following the wrong directions?! I used the guidelines from Wellington Fragrance... so now I've wasted product thinking I was doing it right... UGH! Thanks so much for the help, ladies. I was pulling my hair out! @ ProudMarineMom- YES, the curing stage KILLS me. Candles and incense should cure quicker for those of us who have no patience. LOL

Hi all, LTNS! I'm in the process of making and testing incense, and all is going well; however, I'm experiencing lots of smoking when I first light the stick. It seems to take a few seconds longer to light, then it's a high flame with smoking before the stick glows. Anyone else testing/making incense have this problem? Should I be adjusting the DPG? My current batch was made at 30% DPG/70% FO. My next batch is at 20%DPG/80% FO (I have to wait until Thursday to test). Any advice is welcome! :smiley2:

I had an unknown allergic reaction a few years ago that lasted some years, but eventually went away. My skin is still sensitive (always has been, but this reaction took it to the extreme), but it has cleared up and is manageable. And, yes, doctors can suck. I would leave the FOs alone and see if this is the problem or try wearing gloves. I hope you feel better!

Ok, as of today, I have one tester burned to the end and it looked good from my (inexperienced) POV: ECO 10 - No MR, steady flame that was either low (mid-way before FMP and a bit after) or slightly high (closer to the bottom). Glass was luke warm and got warmer as it neared the end; was comfortable to pick up and move. Seemed to burn faster than the other wicks and, at times, I felt lke I couldn't smell the scent (could be candlenose). This is what the end result looks like: http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=338137274&albumID=963670&imageID=11368946 CDN 12- No MR, steady flame that was either low (mid-way before FMP and a bit after) or regular. Glass was luke warm and was comfortable to pick up and move. Has lots of hangup on sides that seems as if it is slowly melting, but I am not sure if it will melt in time for the wick to reach the bottom (and the glass get too hot), Still had problems where I couldn't smell the scent (could be candlenose). This is what the end result looks like: http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=338137274&albumID=963670&imageID=11368948 Both have been burned at the same time for the same length of time. The other sizes I am still burning, but there is SO much hang up on the jars and does not look like it will get better.

I never had the "spongy" look, but I did get this weird "waving" pattern on the tops, but I think that was due to the FO. I always heat to 185-190 and pour at 160, so I cannot relate to a cooler pour temp (they were awful, for me, when I tried to pour cooler... I had issues *L*). Hope it corrects itself, for you... maybe an off day. *crosses fingers*