jeanie353

Only in the candle (or wax) business can two people use the same product and get entirely different results

I used to use both 444 & 464. I made tarts with 444 for my own use and they were fine. No frosting, no dips, the throw was pretty good and they did hold up over time in poly bags without any crumbling or discoloration. My personal opinion though... is if I were going to sell them I would of opted for GB votive/tart/pillar wax (forgot the name) 412 maybe? I really am not sure.

You aren't kidding it is more like a powder type than soy. I missed a little one day transferring it from the big bag into the bowl and I had this stuff rolling/floating everywhere. Even the broom couldn't get it all so I had to drag the vacuum out. Ewwww....I was hoping it was the high melting temp used for Palm. Now I am really concerned my Presto is on its last legs. I really could use another anyway so this might be the perfect time (excuse) to get one just in case. Or, maybe introduce the Nesco to wax.

CandleWic. I use CBL-130 and Eco wicks.

Thanks Stella for all the good info.....This is the only Presto I have. Unfortunately, I was only fanatic about cleaning out the inside after each use and wiping down the sides only where it might drip on the work surface but nothing else. My bad. I picked a regular one and had hubby modify it for me. It is strange b/c it was working perfect until I used it for Palm. I do really think I had wax built up in there and the high melting temps for Palm made all that wax liquify and go into all the places it shouldn't of went. So right in that they were not made for wax. Many, many of my kitchen utensils, pots, double boilers, etc. have become wax utensils over the years but its fine with me since I like whipping up stuff with wax a whole lot more than I like whipping up stuff for food cooking

crazzie....I can tell you only from my own experience for quite a few years using the same Presto pot that it does get hot enough. I usually have to have mine on warm or just above for my soy/paraffin blend container wax and that keeps the temp of the wax at about 180-185ish. Sometimes I have to go up a notch or two. I recently just did 50 lbs of palm wax in there where I had it heat up over 200 degrees without any problems in the heating aspect. I now have other problems tho' which is another story. Possibly you have a defective Presto? I don't see any reason why you cannot remelt and repour the ones that did not heat up enough to blend the fragrance oil with the wax unless your wax won't take 1.5 oz. I haven't the slightest clue if this is related but there is another post where a member was having a terrible time getting her new fragrance oils (from a new supplier) to blend with the wax. She did end up returning them.

Edit: Weak CT and HT on JS Cranberry Sauce after normal cure time I use with my wax and other scents of 24-36 hrs.

I have been having problems with my pot the last month or so for the first time in years. First it began leaking around where the pour spout was put in. That was fixed with removing and adding some new JB Weld. Then it began leaking wax out of where the black square thing plugs into the pot. That got repaired by cleaning out all the wax that had accumulated in there. Two days ago I was making 5 testers and I had problems again where the black thing plugs in not working. It stopped heating, was doing a little sizzling and when I would plug it back in, I would get it to heat a bit and stop again. Well, it once again got a build up of wax in there causing the prongs to not get proper contact. I am wondering if my pot wasn't on it's last legs but I didn't realize it. It seemed to all begin when I began melting Palm wax in the same Presto I had used previously for soy and then to the soy/para blend I've stayed with. I suspect the wax was already built up in there but the high temp of heating Palm caused it to begin melting and leaking around different places. I don't know if it will have to be replaced yet or not until I begin working with it again this coming week on finishing up my fall scent line. Luckily, a quick run into the store for a new pot and spout would only set me back about 24-36 hours while the pot is modified to add the spout and the JB Weld sets up.

What a small world is that? I grew up in Big Bend/Mukwonago....moved to New Berlin and finally landed here. Both of my brothers are down your way. One is in Wind Lake and the other in Racine. My brother in Wind Lake goes to the Walmart in Mukwonago and think it is one of the nicest. I have been the to one in Burlington but I've not been to Kenosha. One things that impressed me so much about how Walmart operates with its employees is that when the roads get bad in the winter they tell the guys as soon as they are uncomfortable they WANT them to park the truck and they pay for the motel. I won't name any other big companies he has drove for and my husband used to drive semi as well who also drove for one very well known..huge company. They were not allowed to stop driving unless the roads became impassable. There are a lot of other little things my brother has mentioned that I was impressed about but that one stands out. This is kinda funny....my sister-in-law wouldn't go in to a Walmart until after her husband started driving there and they got a discount. It took once to go there and now she may even be there more often than I am...lol. I have to give Boston Store a little plug. I had to run there yesterday for cosmetics. Anyway, I spied these 85% off racks and scored two really nice tops + 3 Godiva chocolate candy bars and my total was either $13 or $17 (forgot) using a coupon they handed out at the door. Being closer to the IL border probably gives you more options for wax buying for shipping costs? I'm like smack in the middle of BCN and Morris. Well, probably a little closer to Morris.

I do have a FB page linked off my blog that has a tad over a thousand followers but has nothing to do with B&B. However, reminding me we all need to speak....I'm thinking why not...I'll head on over in a bit and post about this including the info you put in the OP (if that is ok w/you). If I can get the attention of only a few people it is better than sitting on my hands doing nothing.

Wow! I am surely not as educated on this as the rest of you seeing I am/was just entering into B&B but I can't help but get pissy that the people making this decision probably haven't the slightest clue of how cautious the majority of small B&B product makers are to make sure they are putting out a safe product not to mention in most cases....a better product. I won't even get started on the double standard of our country needing small businesses to help the economy and our pocketbooks. To turn around and put such stringent ruling out there that it would be next to impossible to adhere to unless it is a big conglomerate of a company is just wrong.

Oh sure...that makes perfect sense. We were lucky enough to get one of the good ones and I'm glad of the three, you have one clean, happy one to visit.

Personally, I don't get treated any better or worse at Walmart that I do at Target, Kohl's Dept Store or even Macy's when I go in to get cosmetics or a set of decorator towels or something. Of all of them, I have found Kmart to be the most lacking in the customer service area. But that is only my experience.

lol Cindy....I know I'd be spending way too much of my paycheck if I worked there. I see you are here in WI. Are you anywhere near the Brookfield area? That is where we are at. I go to the new Walmart in Waukesha. It is huge! Aww...try not to let those mean shoppers get to you. Who the heck is anyone treating anyone else like they are better than them, ya know? My brother drives semi for Walmart. Walmart treats their drivers very well...much better than the other big name company he drove for in the past.

I realize the oils were already ordered by now but if you put in another and want to know of a strong one, I just poured Cranberry Sauce (bought off classies). I poured at 1.5 oz pp because I did have some of her oils in the past that were a bit weak. Well, I had to open the doors and windows even tho' it is 89 degrees outside. That is one strong oil. I have not burned it yet and sometimes that can change things. If so, I'll post about it. Poured with CBL 130.

I have read where some on the board have made their own blends which work for them. Personally, I tried it with every combo I could imagine and drove myself crazy. Either they didn't throw, they wouldn't wick right or something. Finally, I found a soy/para blend from a supplier that gave me everything I was looking for and more. I am so pleased with it, I pay a lot of extra shipping to get it here from PA but for me it is personally worth it. Some get their waxes close by, save shipping costs and can produce a kick butt candle. I couldn't do it. Good luck to you. I hope you find your perfect blend too

Too funny....I love Wally World too. I will actually have to go there for regular necessary stuff but I'll need the blinders to keep away from the other goodies

Went to order a few scents from CC but that darn addiction took control of my keyboard. Totally made me forget I still need to order a case of wax + wicks + jars yet. Guess I won't be visiting Wally's World this payday but it was sooo worth it

Oh what the heck....I'll just add another addiction to my growing list of anything that carries FO or EO

Well, I will be starting out mixing the lye outside that much I know. I'm sure once I get comfortable and the weather turns cold I'll probably be doing it in my kitchen or work area just like so many other. My new soap mold has been calling me from inside its mailing box.

I have thought that once I do it a couple times and get the fear out - as you said - then I should be ok and hope like heck I can produce not only an appealing bar of soap but a kick butt moisturizing one too. I have seen where people use plastic to mix the lye and that worried me. Why, I don't know b/c they know what they are doing. Now that you mentioned glass and the beer pitchers that is what I will do. I have a couple here and believe I will be more comfortable with it. Thank you for the advice

I had not hear or thought of that....great idea.

Oh, something new to play with. I am going to get a sample of starburst in a month or so to give it a try in the pattern vs feather and also to see if it wicks as nicely as feather palm did. Then I'll just have to try mixing them and see what happens. The fun never ends in this hobby/business does it?

Totally! Now I can support my habit with the excuse I am keeping my brain sharp Good luck on the new project

You are so right on a full drop being too much for a small amount of gel. It never crossed my mind to tell you one drop is for a good sized amount of the stuff. Glad one of us is on our toes