rjdaines

Having worked in the Ag business I can tell you that most farmers are using GMO and it all gets mixed together as the crops are collected. Unless the soy is sourced from a particular grower (which I doubt), the odds are in favor that your wax will be derived from GMO soy. Since we are not eating the resulting wax I don't see an issue but if you just hate Monsanto and GMOs then that's another story. Nothing about candles are "green" whether they are paraffin or veggie, so using non-GMO doesn't address that issue.

Wax manufactures usually provide a recommended FO range or it can be found online. You might be able to exceed the top end by a small amount. Your wax will tell you if there is too much FO by weeping and generally looking nasty.

Mushrooms are carbon deposits from unburned material in the candle. So, you either need a bigger wick, hotter wick, or to reduce the fuel.

The waxes I use are: 4630, 464, 444, 415, 4625 and 4794. Containers are 4630 mixed with 464; pillars are 4625; votives are 4794 and melts are 4625 with 415.

I think you mean that you want to pour wax into the votive holder. If I were doing that I would use a low shrink container wax. If I was making votives with a mold I would use 4794 and it would require 2 or 3 pours. If you use 4794 as a direct pour into the votive holders you would probably need an additional pour as well. Ultimately, I don't think it matters except for the wicking.

LOL, go ahead, there is plenty of room here in the candle nut house for one more. Everyone's experience will be a little different, it may work for your right out of the gate.

When I get a chance I will try the ECO-2s again with my higher MP wax. I really don't want this container to beat me.

This looks like the jar that I have been wrestling with for a year now. Using parasoy, I've never been able to get a single wick to produce a FMP and double wicks can be too hot. Your photos look pretty good based on what I have seen. I am using ECO-1 or ECO-2 wicks and even though the ECO-2 wicks are technically bigger than the ECO-1s, I don't see a big difference in the MP size. I think the higher ROC (rate of consumption) may make the 2s a little cooler. Just a hypothesis based on observations. What I am doing is making the wax for this jar have a higher melt point. I am doing this by adding in some 4625. I am hoping that the combination of a higher MP wax and the right wick that I'll get a MP size that is acceptable. Jars of a similar diameter with no neck are easier to wick for but I do love those apothecary jars.

CD wicks work quite well in 444. As mentioned above, I would also recommend getting sample packs of ECO and HTP and add those to your testing.

How big of a mushroom? I wouldn't be too concerned about small ones. Mushrooms are carbon build up from an incomplete burn of the candle (wax, FO, and whatever else is in there). Sometimes a larger wick helps and sometimes a hotter wick helps. Reducing the amount of FO can also help.

My biggest complaint with 464 was not performance but was with frosting. As with most soy, not all FOs throw well in it.

Sure, I use 7.5% FO

Have to say that I have had very good results breaking that rule and blending two blended waxes.

If you want additional advise for the paraffin, send me a message and maybe I can help.

I have one container that I am selling and that took 2 years. I have others in the works that are still not quite where I'd like them.

It maybe a fine wax but none of them are a "super wax".

Trying my second batch of melts today which containing 7.4% Cinn, Buns (Peak). I love this FO but it kills my wicked candles, so until I find a better wick, I can enjoy it this way.

First thing is that you should use the search feature on this site as there is a wealth of information regarding this question. What fragrance oils (FO) and from which supplier are you using? CD wicks are popular in soy/veggie waxes, I have not had much luck with LX and a LX-30 is a huge wick. If would wicks work, that should give some clues, How fast do you get a melt pool and how deep? Do the other wicks produce a similar melt pool? Some of us (including myself) do mix waxes and have good results. Depends on what kind of candle you want to make, all soy, all paraffin, or a blend. If you do change your wax blend, then you'll be starting over with the wicks and testing again. I don't use 4786, so I can't help there and, yes, 464 frosts.

Keri's Kandle Kreations is my vote.

Cosmetics from what I understand but it has never helped me any. I pour at 165 and always get smooth tops, it's the frosting that I can't get rid of.

Yes, at about 4 inches I move to a double wick. I don't like large, long flames and they promote soot so I try to avoid them. The solution to this has a lot a variables, what is the melting point of your wax, what type of wick are you using, is your container straight-sides or curved in places... All of these factors will influence how the candle will burn. I didn't even mention how the different FOs and amount used will affect your candle. Multiple wicked candles have issues, drowning of one of more of the wicks is a common problem. One tip for now is that different wicks put out different levels of heat. Zinc core wicks are the coolest while cotton core are at the hot end of the spectrum. Everything is in between. Larger wicks may or may nor produce a larger melt pool based on their rate of wax consumption (ROC).

OK, for you blenders of 4630 and 464 how did you decide what percentage was good for you, I've seen 75/25, 70/30, 60/40 and 50/50. I am using a 75/25 and arrived at that because, for me, it still gave me the great HT of 4630 and the 464 tamed the flame some and reduced soot. I also like the wax texture better with the soy, a less gooey and more firm. So, what happens as the amount of soy increases? I'm worried that I will lose some HT and the ability to use almost any FO.

I tested my first melts today and I am pleased. They are a 50/50 mix of 4625 and 415 with Peaks Blueberry Muffin at 6%. I melted 3 cubes (from a pack of 6; 30 grams), not how people use these but 1 cubed seemed kind of tiny and 6 seems extravagant but I have no idea. I'm wondering if I should go up on the %FO to maybe 8%. Since there is no wick, I think the tendency would be to load these melts up with FO but that would up them more expensive. I saw the WalMart ones selling for $3 and Sentsy's at $5. I haven't calculated my costs yet but it might be hard to compete with $3. What %FO do most of you all use?

Darn, I'm making votives today and I just tempted fate by saying I don't spill, now I better put something down. (Scrolls back up to see what people use).

Remove the metal tab and microwave for a few seconds, wipe with paper towel