mrchips

Some of my latest FOs state that crystals may form in the liquid if it is stored below 15C. It says to bring it back to room temp and stir to disolve the crystals. No harm done. 1 barrel was actually in the car for a couple of days, at about 6-8C, and there were no crystals.

This stuff is oil based, so I would think it's freeze at quite a bit below 0 degrees. Anyone tried a small sample in the freezer ? Does your MSDS state the freezing point/storage temps ?

I'd refer to the MSDS/manufacturer, they know how their products perform.

Mr Chips

Tell me about it! I just finished another huge soy candle. I didn't pace around. I went to sleep, got up, went to work, went shopping, came home, had dinner.... STILL too warm...

It was still too warm to de-mold after 24hrs!!

Mr Chips

I've not found a comparable product. As you say, all the UK cookers/basters/rice cookers just have low/med/high settings.

After a couple of years goofing about with larger and larger pots, I finally quit the Heath Robinson thing and bought a commercial 220v melter from the US. Cost me an arm-and-a-leg, but it's a lot nicer to look at!

Mr Chips

I'll offer up my experience in Spirit Crafts defence.

I've had 2 shipments from them, airmailed to the UK, with no problems at all. They were custom moulds, so took a few weeks to manufacture, but I knew that up front, they kept me informed and shipped as agreed.

Mr Chips

Hi

DON'T PLUG IT IN TO 240V !!!! You'll fry it.

Stepdown transformes that'll run a Presto pot are quite widely available in the UK. Just Google 'stepdown transformer'. Although a suitably hefty one may set you back around £100.

Mr Chips

OK, you've convinced me, I HAVE to get some of this wax. That effect is too good to miss out on.

Mr Chips

Yeah, I like that. It looks like mother of pearl to me. Is it like that in real life?

Mr Chips

Just keep chucking them out like that and you'll make me very happy (and rich)!

Rob

Hehe. Hi Rob. Now you know where that pallet of Pillar Blend is going!

Say, with your prices, I'm surprised you're not rich already !!

Mr Chips

sometimes you just gotta do something silly "cos you can". It makes a nice change from having to pour the same orders over and over again I guess!

Silly ? Me ?? Nah !!

Actually, it's for a friend. They live in a big old barn conversion and have a huge inglenook fireplace. They wanted something to put in there during the summer when they're not burning logs. Everything from the shops is a bit small and looks lost.

The mould was from someone on ebay, spiritcrafts. They have a few outsized molds for sale, and will custom make them if you wish.

This one was plain, no FO, as I had no idea if I'd manage to birth it. It came out OK, so next one gets a shot of FO. Quite a big shot, cos at 5% that'll be 32oz....

Mr Chips

That thing is huge. Are you just kidding when you say you tried to single wick it?

Yeah, it wasn't going well. I got up to an LX200, but the shrooms were driving me crazy...

Tried to single wick this one, but had to use 8 in the end...

It's 24"x7.5"x7.5" and weighs in at 44lbs. There's a 3"x6.5" pillar mold and a votive cup to give some scale.

Mr Chips

I know some people do that. I don't know how you conclude it's most people. I figure there are a lot of crappy commercial candles but even more crappy craft candles. There are also well designed candles on both sides.

Wise words Top.

So, does anyone fancy drawing up a procedure for testing candles? Bash it out through this forum in a collaborative writing effort? We could then get a nice archive of results together.

Mr Chips

Can't imagine why it would make any difference whatsoever.... apart from a cheap and inaccurate set of scales.

Mr Chips

$50 including the shipping, I believe, and then only if it's marked as a gift, although sometimes you can be lucky and not get charged. Most reputable companies won't mark commercial goods as gifts, as it's an offence.

All commercial imports then have VAT and duty added (to the total price inc shipping), then also a Parcel Force admin fee is slapped on top.

The jars are all here, the pallet was huge! I have some quick pics ready, will be adding to my site this week, and letting you CT folks in the UK have first shot at them. I've got to say that I'm REALLY impressed with the jars, can't wait to try them out. Got 23 different styles.

Mr Chips

Wick, don't forget to add the 17.5% VAT, 6% duty and 8 pounds admin fee that will be charged on the import!

Mr Chips

Lol, picking up these Americanisms. You'll be wanting color chips next ;-)

I find I always have to wick up from those recommendations, particularly with Soy. And it seems to me that tins draw away or radiate out some of the heat too. I'd go ECO 12 to start. Then maybe drop to ECO 10.

Mr Chips

Personally, I'd split the wording differenty, "Candles" - "by Linette". This would also fit better in the curved top of your round label.

For your square label, maybe "Candles" - "and a few other things!" - "by Linette". Scans a bit better, but that's just my preference.

Nice simple label though. Easy enough to read, and it tells me exactly what's in the jar!

Mr Chips

I find the PB to be very dry and brittle on it's own, always seems to split. Adding 15% of CB135 softens it up just a little, and stops it splitting and cracking. Works a treat for votives.

Mr Chips

No colour here either. How many times did I hear...

'I like the fragrance but not the colour'

'I like the colour but not the fragrance'

Mr Chips.

I had the exact same thing with ECO12s in CB Advance. Perfect first burn, then a real small struggling 2nd burn. Looked like the wicks were coming apart.

I had tested and tested these, and was very happy with them. Made a whole batch, tested one, and it was aweful. I don't know if it was different batches of wick, or different batches of wax.

Remelted and switched to CD, and all seems fine, so I'm suspecting the wicks...

Boyd

Hey wow, that is REALLY spooky. I know the exact smell you're referring to, I just can't describe it ! Kind of leather, coins and bits of fluff....

That takes me back some years.... I've got to thank you for bringing back a forgotten childhood memory.

Maybe try some CD wicks for the votives. Somewhere about CD5.

Boyd.

Well, I just remelted a batch of fragranced soy and can't notice any difference. There's going to be a tiny loss of fragrance obviously, but as long as you're not boiling the stuff for hours, then I think you'll be fine.

Boyd.

Oh yes, the top and bottom halves are frequently different stories.

I'm surprised that the CD isn't working, I've had good results with those. I'd try HTP next, rather that LX.