VickiB in CA

I added 50% GB Pure Soy wax to my J223 and I test burned last night and love the results. But I noticed the 44 zincs (double) are burning way too hot now and I'll need to wick down.

I was thinking that adding soy would make the wax harder and I'd need to wick up instead??

Any help would be appreciated -

Thanks for the replies and PMs!

I'm liking this 50/50 stuff. I poured 2 testers today and I like the way they look so far. I mixed a half and half blend of J223 and GB 415 (soy).

I heated to 180 added liquid color and 1.3 ozs of FO (poured without waiting)and the colors are brilliant with no frost, the look is so much nicer than the J223 by itself and the tops are flat and smooth.

I can't wait to burn them now.

I also like that the pure soy is so much less expensive than the blends. It would sure cut back on the cost.

Anyone else use this blend? If so, what wicks do you use?

Is the Comfort Blend a soft blend like J223?

If you don't mind me asking - do you do 50/50 or less on the soy?

Also, do you mention soy when promoting your candles?

Thanks!

I'm curious why some choose a 50/50 soy/paraffin blend. Is it because the soy helps keep the cost down or makes a better looking candle or less soot? Also do you market them as a soy candle? It seems to be a popular thing to do. Was just wondering what the reasons for doing it were.

Thanks!

As one who is currently switching from a paraffin wax to a natural soy blend, I will never use the "scare tactics" that some soy candle makers or distributors use to sell more product.

Several weeks ago I had a long conversation with a rep from Golden Brands (I believe it may have been Jason??). Anyway, as a salesperson of soy and natural waxes, even he gently warned me about making false claims regarding the use of soy wax over paraffin. As he said, there is really no scientific proof out there right now that soy wax is healthier or cleaner to burn in your home. He said I might be safe to simply say that one might experience less soot and of course it does support the "American farmer" (who wouldn't want to do that! :smiley2:).

Kinda makes the hardworking guys out in the petroleum fields look like "bad guys" and not deserving of our support .

I was switching purely for as a marketing ploy. Honestly, I'm thinking of going back to paraffin!?

Who asked me to change anyways?? My customers were perfectly happy with the way they were. In fact they're a little nervous now that they won't be as good.

Wish I could just decide and stick with it! Grrrrrr . . .

Sorry for rambling on here. All this just occured to me as I was reponding to the post :undecided

Thanks Jennifer. Are the htp's hard to work with? They aren't rigid are they? Or do you have to use something to hold the wicks until they harden?

It was a positive thing for me to see the difference in the way it was setting up. This way I know it is quite a bit different than the CB3 and I'm not wasting my time.

All 3 have set up nicely now with smooth color and virtually no frosting. The top of the 449 is much better than the other 2. There is very little cracking around the wicks - no second pour needed. I'm excited about test burning these.

If there is any smoking will test the fil-tecs next and go from there.

Thanks for the input.

Called Wix N Wax and they will be carrying the 444 but not the 449. I didn't receive the 444 in my sample gallons, just the 449. Am I wasting my time even testing the 449? Will it be replaced by the 444? Or are they so close there is no need worrying about it. Also, I think they may just carry the slabs in TX. I love working with the flakes so much more after having to load hundreds of lbs of J223 into my melter Is there another place here in the West that will be carrying the flakes?

Any help would be appreciated.

I've currently got a test going on the wick performance between the CB3, 449 and a 1/2 and 1/2 mix (just to make things more confusing!)

I poured 3 testers of 6 ozs of wax each, heated to 175, added 1 drop BCN Honey and .45 ozs of FO. I wicked these with the Premier 700s size 770.

I'm already noticing that the waxes are setting up differently. I poured the 449 first and the CB3 second. The CB3 already is solid on sides and top and the the 449 is barely starting to solidify on the bottom. The mix, which I poured third, has a 1/4 inch solid stripe along the bottom.

Will post results after letting them set all night and test tomorrow in different rooms burning at the same time.

Is anyone who has tried the CB3 and the 444/449 both, noticing that the 444/449 is easier to wick?

Gotcha Elyse - PM'd you back

And why and how it performs for you? Do they smoke and soot at all? Do they "shroom" a lot?

Thanks!

I'm using the CB3 right now and getting ready to test the 449. I've got the CB3 looking so good now but I'm noticing some of the candles are smoking more than the J223 (paraffin blend) I used to use even though I've cut back on the FO. I'm currently using Premier 700s (quite a bit of smoking & soot) and I'm playing with the Fil-tec ones, which don't seem to smoke but make a huge "alien looking" mushroom type of formation at the end after burning for a few hours. :undecided

What does everyone use?

I'm noticing that when I pour a test candle and light it too quickly it produces more soot. Does anyone else notice this?

How soon after pouring a test candle, do you light it?

I make my own lables. I design them on MS Publisher and print them using the Avery 2x4 Weatherproof mailing labels on a laser printer. They are awesome and never smudge. I even use them on body care products that you use in the shower. I order them bulk through Office Depot. They're great - quick shipping.

I'm just lacking the black metal lids that I want. Need to find some that fit snugly but that do actually come off of the jar

Thanks again for the responses -

Want to share the pic of what I've been sweating over for 3 months. Got lots of advice several weeks back - thanks! So here they are. I'm far from having all of my scents converted to natural wax, but at least getting the pouring routine down is done

www.olivetreecandles.com

waxnwic@candlewic.com

That is Bill's email address. He is always right on any problem you might have and like I said, after my problem 2 years ago, I haven't had one since. Not that I never will, but they have always been timely about getting their orders out to me and the oils that I use are of superior quality. You would mainly want to stay with the Ultimate line. Not trying to give you a sales pitch, just sharing my own experiences with them.

I hear ya on the Candlewic issue. I went through a problem like that a couple of Christmases ago. The sent some funky oils and I communicated with Bill Binder and he sent a duplicate order out for free (it wasn't a small order either). I still order from them as there are a few they have that I can't replace and haven't had a problem since that I can remember.

I use their -

Fall Woods (Ultimate)

White Tea (Ultimate)

Cinnamon (Regular)

Sweet Sandalwood (Ultimate)

Red Apple Peel (Ultimate)

Sweet Apple Crisp (Ultimate)

Haven't found comparisons so I stick it out. Well, at least until they tick me off again!

Can anyone tell me where I can find the wooden apothecary jar lids in bulk amounts for under a dollar a piece. I'm looking for a main carrier of these not a middle man because I need hundreds of them.

Thanks!

Got my free 5 lb sample of the S&P Crystallizing Wax and poured a 1/2 lb sample of Cinnamon Bun. Wow - that was easy after the Calsoy CB3. Poured at 185 as is recommended and it cooled with beautiful crystal texture even on the top. And it's nice and flat and no cracks or any of that stuff. Anyone know how it throws compared to the CB3 or another soy/veg blend?

I'll post my own results after I burn it in the morning.

Has anyone tried adding some of this to the CB3? You would lose the crystal effect but might it stabilize some of the problems of the pure soy blends? Just a thought :rolleyes2

I'm going on years here! :undecided

It varies so much for me. When I used to pour in my kitchen, I could pour all day and just get about 30 or 40 done. But now that I have an industrial 150 lb wax melter and a shop, we can put out 150 in a day if we need to in just a matter of a few hours.

I was curious - how do you all pour? What is the size of your batches? Do you have a big melter or use a presto pot?

Hope you don't mind me adding questions to your question

I just ordered 5 lbs to test the Astorlite Q. Tell me, does the search ever end??

I heard Mia Bella's candles are very highly scented though?? I didn't realize their's were mottled. When I spoke to the owner of Mia Bella Candles, it sounded to me like they use a brand new experimental cutting-edge vegetable wax :undecided Guess that might have been his usual sales pitch :smiley2: