try2chme

Cute!!

I use baby wipes and a microfiber towel... the towel is awesome to get the jar clean... and baby wipes get all the leftover wax out of the jars. Not sure how it affects glass adhesion, but it is the easiest clean up job for me. I have tried washing and do wash sometimes, but seems like they don't get as clean. I may try the windex though just realized you may be talking about brand new jars... i was referring to jars for testing, but i believe the microfiber towel would work just fine to get out any dust, etc...

Ok thanks...lol...guess it's not a necessary task. I would also feel better doing it, I can be absent minded at times and would probably be one of the first to leave my candle burning. (maybe I should find another hobby) It made more sense, to me, to do a power burn first. I assumed someone would have a logical reason for doing it after... Thanks everyone for your input... know we can't save every candle burner from doing something stupid with their candles!

Does it make more sense to do a power burn first to make sure the wick works and then do the qhr/1"diam burns? Just seems like it would be easier. Of course I would need to keep checking to make sure the glass isn't too hot, but if the candle can't make it through a power burn, seems like a lot of time is wasted doing a 3 hr burn and waiting, over and over, and then conducting a power burn that doesn't work. IDK just wanted to see any thoughts on why it is better to do a power burn last.

thecandlemakerstore.com makes 2 grades of oils. I'm still testing so I can't really recommend anything, but I do like peaks. I've ordered candlemakerstore's better grade oils and like them also. I've heard others say that thecandlemakerstore's a grade are really good and they don't need to upgrade to the b grade, but maybe those will be more of what you're looking for.

thecandlemakersstore.com

I've only ordered Peak's and it's the only time I've ever smelled it or heard of it and I was hooked. It has been my favorite fragrance ever since. Where is the original Pink Sugar from?

Pink Sugar... has to be my favorite scent, ever!!

I don't make tarts, but I do pour leftover wax into ice cube trays that my son "steals" and uses them in a warmer. They smell great. I use C3 wax and P2 wax from genwax and i've tested with 1oz/lb and 1oz/12oz of wax. He's used both and they both smell good.

I still consider myself new, even though I've been doing this for a year or more. Still testing, testing, testing. But not much time. I have heard lots of good things about C3 wax, especially scent throw, which I have been using. Was going to try a new wax, but really no reason too. The tops are smooth (one pour wax) and I am satisfied with the glass adhesion so far, still working on it. I have noticed good scent throw, but have nothing to compare too . There have been a few that didn't, but could be that I did not let them cure long enough. But, I'm sure there is someone here that could tell you more about the wax you're currently using.

Sorry to interrupt Just wanted to throw in another question. When you do your "pre-sell" testing do you make a whole batch and just pour one candle? Does it harm the wax or fragrance oil to remelt the whole batch again. Or do you just make enough for a couple of candles for testing and then make a full batch?

So true......I know when I would buy candles...I had no idea there was a right/wrong way to burn or that it should burn a certain way.

Okay..thanks so much..helps alot..Back to retesting

Thanks a lot for your reply. Glad to hear it's normal...will make wick testing less frustrating, even though I don't like the residue.

Is it really possible for the jar to be clean after burning without burning too hot? The closest I have gotten is a light film that I could see through left on the jar. It's not the prettiest, but maybe because I'm trying to achieve something impossible. Going up a wick size, made the candle burn unevenly and left more wax in the jars. I am not using any additives, dye, or fragrance. I am using a jar that is 2.5" wide and a jar that is 3" wide. I have tested multiple sizes of HTP, C, LX, RRD, and SS wicks Does anyone have pics of a properly burned candle jar? Maybe later I can upload my pics...thanks so much.

There seems to be quite a few that think that testing unscented wax (which I finally agreed to do) is a waste. But I also think it was a waste of time and money to retest with fo and dye when I had no idea where to start. Any wick guides I used were always way off... I also used the method of making a hole for a wick and replacing until i found one i like, but also pointless when you need to test the wick to the bottom. From what it sounds like, testing your unscented/undyed wax will give you an idea of how your wax works, what wicks work best, and a good starting point. Then you can test what dyes do/don't work with your wax, same with fragrance. And, I too, have an IT background, am analytical, and like to know what I'm getting into ahead of time. And I like to know how things work. In IT, math, etc... You learn that skipping steps or getting ahead usually brings you right back to the beginning anyway. Guess both will eventually get you to the same endpoint. It's just a personal choice of how much you want to know.

How can everybody (not everybody) be so critical of this kid? There may be a candle maker in the family as his sister first sold candles at a fund raiser. But we all had/have to learn at some point, so lucky him if he has someone that close to teach him. Kids are capable of a lot more than we give them credit for. Wish my parents would have encouraged me and helped me along the way, rather than tell me "no" all the time and always try to change my mind or show a lack of confidence in me. And...when it comes to candle and soap making, who hasn't borrowed ideas! It appears to be his business and if he doesn't do ALL the work, oh well. It makes me happy to see this kid doing something good for his self and society. Donating soup and using the cans for his business. He's learning to recycle, do some good for the environment, and feeding those who may need a meal. And at such a young age learning to run a business. But, I do hope they test and are prepared for anything that may happen...same as any other candle maker

Scary....after hearing about all the hacks...my paypal account was hacked about a month or two ago. I don't think it was related to candle supply ordering..may have purchased from amazon though. So from now on...I will probably be using a prepaid visa card to make online purchases.

I agree with testing unscented first. I am still in my beginning phase and I got the advice from this forum. I started out testing 1oz bottles of fragrances and after many bottles of fragrance, still couldn't tell you what size wick any of my jars use. Makes a lot more sense to take the time to do this extra step. I feel more organized now, a lot less confusion in the long run. Some people are happy with fast results, while others are more thorough. So now I have decided to find a "starter" wick and test different wicks to see what i like best. Wish I had more time to test.

I made my first batch of hp about a week ago...the batch failed, but the tongue testing isn't so bad. :smiley2: I also heard you can test with PH test strips..think you can get them at the pet store (fish tank supplies)

I use a whisk. Heard it helps to bind the fragrance and the wax together. I also heard that if you stir too much it creates air bubbles, which you don't want in your candle. So probably not a good idea to use an electric mixer.

Thanks a lot for both of your replies. Makes sense to be familiar with both waxes before blending. I will also try the 6006 and try working with paraffin wax at some point. Don't want to try too much at once...but I do have to try a new wax since my closest supplier stopped carrying my original wax. Thought it might be a good time to try the blend.

Can't seem to find any info on creating a soy and paraffin blend. Thought I wanted to use all soy as a cleaner burning candle, but now I'm more interested in having a better scent throw and lessening some of the troubles of soy wax. And I would like better coloring for my candles. Don't need to know what waxes to use, but more of what goes into creating a blend. Do I use pure soy and paraffin or is it okay to use wax that contains additives already? Any other tips on how to come up with a blend that works is helpful. Thanks.

A few years ago me and my son bought a candle wax melting kit at a craft store for fun. And I got the idea in my head that I could sell them. At that time I had no idea what I was doing. That ended in a couple weeks and I never touched the melter again. Last year I got the idea again and researched and researched and finally ordered my first supplies (real supplies). I would hate for all this to go to waste, but I am okay with it. It is a long process, but I have a mind full of ideas (on paper too) and am very excited about it. I hate the thought of failing and the thought of making something that is not the best (that I could do). I am on my way to buying more supplies and have learned a lot from this forum. I hate the thought of not being able to come up with a good enough candle to sell, but I will try until I get so frustrated that I give up. But my point is that it is a little discouraging and a little bothersome when others say that "we're just in it for the money". The thought of making a business out of this was a big motivation for me to put this much work into it and it doesn't mean I am just trying to put together a quick product for some quick money. I did start out with "business" as my goal, but it doesn't mean that my business is any less because I didn't start this out as a hobby. Sorry, hope I didn't sound rude. I have been searching forums for the past few weeks and this thread kept jumping out at me, So I finally read it and wanted to speak up about the "other side". I have had a lot of feedback and some great advice and it is much appreciated.

Thanks...makes the whole process seem "nicer". Do you test all of your containers/sizes with the new fo or does it make sense that if you test one size and it comes out the same, it will work with the rest.