justajesuschick

Hey, you sound like me!! I was buying those as well. A crafty friend encouraged me to try making my own. I am not crafty and am known for being clumsy so I was certain that this could be tragic. Instead, I am having fun, have learned a ton by researching and reading here and everyone has been SUPER kind and patient with the questions that I have asked. Do you know if you want to use soy, parasoy or paraffin?

I have read that Peak FO's work well with (or perhaps were formulated for?) paraffin. Can you confirm this? Are there other company's FO's you find are best for use with paraffin? I only melt paraffin (tarts, not candles). I'd love to hear your experience-as always! Thanks!

I like 4794, I am just trying to see if I can find a wax or wax combo that gives me longevity. Perhaps not. I mixed 4630 and 4625 and it was softer when it cooled and I was trying to snap it.

Thanks! Well, I ended up making 4 batches. I tested both oils and 4794 as well as the 4625/4630 combo. I will melt the same amount of wax in 2 warmers which are exactly the same in the same large room in a few days. I am trying to get longevity. Right now I am getting a great burst of scent to begin but scent dissipates within just a few hours. Since the 4630 is such a soft wax, it means that I will have to make tarts with this combo. It was far too soft to snap into clean brittle pieces. Since I just make for myself, it was not an issue that it looks sloppy. I sure do like both fragrances that I chose for the test! Thanks!!

I got my 2 lb. samples of 4625 and 4630. I love that they offer such small sized samples so that if I do not like them I am not stuck with 8+ lbs. of each! I had no idea that the 4630 was a softer wax. This should be interesting! I got several 1 oz. FO's. Specifically so that I could test apples to apples (well, wax to wax but I know that you understand!). I'll be making identical batches by weight of wax and FO. My stand by (that I love) 4794 and the blend of 4625/4630. Trying to decide between Cranberry Apple Marmalade and Amish Harvest for my first test. I will use the other in a few days so that I have two to test. Here goes!

I just placed my very first order with them a couple of days ago. Hope I got some good ones. They were rated well, anyway. I chose: *Cinnamon Buns - Classic - Old Formulation *Nana's Kitchen *Vanilla Frosted Grahams *Apple Brown Betty *Holiday Homecoming *Lavender Laundry

Thank you both so much!! I think I am not adding FO's hot enough. I was adding at 175-180 and then pouring much cooler. Since I make them for myself, guess what my favorites are? BAKERY! The ones that did not work well for me were: Graham Cracker, Vermont Maple Syrup, Cotton Candy and Snickerdoodle Cookies. The ones that have been fantastic are: Baked Apple, Hot Apple Pie, Peaches and Cream, Fruit Slices, Toasted Marshmallow, Lemon Pound Cake, Flannel Sheets. I am going to play with the new wax when it arrives, watch that I am not adding FO's at too cool temps and pour at higher temps than I have been. Thanks for your patience and time!!

Paraffin. I started with KY133 (from RE/AH) and have recently been using IGI 4794 (from CS and from LS). FO's from RE/AH, LS, CS and NG. I just ordered IGI 4625 and IGI 4630. Just 2 lb. samples to play with.

Got it! I am likely doing something wrong. Too many FO's considered the best in their category (as I have searched and searched here) that I get nearly no scent from after making for it to be a one off fluke. I am going to just keep plugging away and learning (likely from my own mistakes!). Thank you all so much for your comments and help. I really appreciate it!!

In retrospect, I should have asked this: "So, knowing that you love and adore them all equally, if you were hard pressed to list your top 25-50 FO's what would they be?" haha! I am too new to adore FO's but I can clearly see that it will happen. I LOVE seeing all of the favorites!

I am adding FO's at about 175-180. Is that hot enough? Perhaps that is my issue.

Perhaps some that I liked were parasoy and I did not know. I do not care for the soft, messy feel of soy. I like wax that I can pop right out. Maybe I need to get over it and try some. I have been using 1 ounce of FO to 11-12 ounces of wax. I also like my wax super strong.

The FO's I have gotten have been from companies I see recommended here and even using at a pretty high concentration, I can barely smell some of them once in wax. I am going to test a couple of other waxes to see if that is my issue. Perhaps as a newbie I am doing something else wrong. I chose paraffin as some that I preferred/bought from makers were paraffin. I have purchased pounds and pounds of melts from others and only mine that are apple pie, cinnamon, lemon or toasted marshmallow/buttercream smell as good as what I bought from others. Maple syrup, Graham Cracker, Hansel and Gretel's house all smelled like wax with just the faintest scent.

I was excited to see that they offered 2 lb. samples of these! That way I can try them without having another 20 lbs. of wax. I ordered these as well as some FO's. Thanks so much!!

Thank you! I am going to place an order with Peak. I will plan to try these two waxes in my order. I have to find more friends who melt. I am going to be knee deep in scented wax soon!! Thanks, again!

I do not make soap so this may not help. I used mine for wax tarts and as much as I cleaned and let them soak, I smelled the previous FO. I asked here and a sweet poster (I'd have to pull up my thread to know who) suggested lining a cookie sheet with foil, putting the molds upside down on the foil and placing in a warm oven. I tried it and it worked for me! Last week, when it was 100+ degrees here, after using I put them outside on my metal patio table and it helped that way as well.

I started with KY 133 from RE/AH. From a recommendation here, I added IGI 4794. I like them both. The KY 133 is granulated so easy to use. I did a test of the two waxes with same FO, warmers, in same room, etc. and it was a tie. Just curious which waxes you use/prefer for tarts if you use paraffin (rather than a parasoy or soy) wax. Thanks!!

I made 3 batches today. I warmed to 175-180 and poured less cool than I have been.

I know that technically they do not need to cure as soy but mine seem better if I am patient and let them rest a few days. Perhaps it is because I heap them in a big polypro bag that then goes into a Ziploc rectangle container that then goes into a candle cabinet. I practically force the scent to concentrate with the wax. haha! Is it just me?

I have been adding FO to my wax at 175-180 degrees, stirring 2 minutes and pouring at 150-155. Is that appropriate for paraffin?

Thank you. Since I am my own customer, tester and quality control, I will just keep using what I think is best. I am keeping a spreadsheet of what worked, what FO's I did not like and where I simply goofed. Thanks again!

I got one and could not smell it at all once in wax. Can you recommend one? Thank you!!

I see many use 9%-10% FO load. To me, that would mean much more oil per pound of wax than what I read (1 oz. FO/1 lb. wax). More like 10-11 ounces of wax per 1 ounce FO. I have been using an ounce of FO to about 11-12 ounces of wax. Even then some are just right (apple pie, fruit slices-stronger oils) or not quite strong enough (graham cracker, maple syrup). I just make wax brittle/tarts and just for myself. Of course I want them as strong as the wax will hold. I use KY 133 granulated paraffin as well as IGI 4794 paraffin. Can you set me straight? I'd appreciate it. Thank you!

Of course I will get wax. With wax, I need more FO's (I know you agree)! What are some "musts" from Peak? Those you have enjoyed or buy and buy again. Thank you!

Have fun! I am new also and buy from others. I tried making some on my own just for my own use and it is really fun. For me, if I was doing it as a business it would take the fun away for me. Like you, I'll leave that to the experts! What type of FO's did you get? Cannot wait to hear about your results.