C Dizzle Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 (edited) My question is as simple as the thread title. Do you leave the lid on or off your Presto Pot when heating wax? I use GB 464 if it matters and so far I have done lid on, but didn't really think to ask if others did without. Edited January 7, 2016 by C Dizzle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcandleattic Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Leave it OFF. If you leave it on, heat can build up and cause it to either blow off, or start a fire. Neither of which would be very good. So far, if you've been leaving the lid on, you've been lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinkr Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 When I used one it was always off when in use. My trusty thermometer stuck out of the pot so using a lid was impossible. When the pot was not in use I kept the lid on to keep dust and stuff out. I use soy wax as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Leave it OFF. If you leave it on, heat can build up and cause it to either blow off, or start a fire. Neither of which would be very good. So far, if you've been leaving the lid on, you've been lucky.I've never heard of that :-/ are we talking about the presto multi cooker? Not the pressure cooker with a tight sealing lid? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Dizzle Posted January 7, 2016 Author Share Posted January 7, 2016 I'm talking about the presto multi cooker. I'm always in the room with it and haven't noticed any type of pressure/steam buildup currently Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kandlekrazy Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Off, I'm more afraid of condensation forming on the lid and water getting into the wax. It heats up just fine without the lid andmaintains it's heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisR Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 The only time my lid is off is when I'm filling it! I've had mine 15 years and never had a problem. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 With beeswax especially, i leave it on. It seems to heat more evenly with it on. Soy i have done both, but usually it is on as it heats and only off as i stir periodically to distribute the heat, and then to pour off the liquified wax. If i pause in the middle, the lid goes on to retain the heat. All are Stored with lid on. Now, i don't crank that heat up, so the wax in the pot never gets anywhere near the smoke point, let alone the flash point. Gently heating prevents my waxes from burning the organics (like honey in the beeswax). I've not noticed any steam.Maybe the problems were with people who turned the heat too high? :shrug:The thermometers i like have the probe on a tether to the digital reader/timer part, so the lid fits fine, providing a little vent even. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcandleattic Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 I've never heard of that :-/ are we talking about the presto multi cooker? Not the pressure cooker with a tight sealing lid?I'm talking the presto pot. But I also keep forgetting I work with paraffin and not soy, so that could make the difference. When I first started making candles,in the first week, I left the lid on and it blew it right off into the air about 6-7 feet and shattered. So, I've never put the lid on again. Not worth the freakout. Even then I only heated to only a little bit below 200 on the temp guage it came with. I've also only ever used a thermometer during the first week of my candlemaking. I find for me, it's always been more of a hassle and that I don't really need one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Dizzle Posted January 7, 2016 Author Share Posted January 7, 2016 I am only using GB 464 Soy and so far I've done with the lid on. I have it well below 200, not sure how hot, but its about the M in Warm. It gets to about just around 185 after 20 to 30 min or so (I need to time it) and has been perfect. There has been a tiny bit of condensation on the lid and that was concerning slightly, but I wasn't sure if leaving the lid on or off was better. I think I shall try off too and see what happens. The lid blowing off sounds scary, but I imagine it's for a higher heat than I'm using? Interesting there's a lot of views on both sides here, like the toilet paper over or under argument only far more practical! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcandleattic Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 I am only using GB 464 Soy and so far I've done with the lid on. I have it well below 200, not sure how hot, but its about the M in Warm. It gets to about just around 185 after 20 to 30 min or so (I need to time it) and has been perfect. There has been a tiny bit of condensation on the lid and that was concerning slightly, but I wasn't sure if leaving the lid on or off was better. I think I shall try off too and see what happens. The lid blowing off sounds scary, but I imagine it's for a higher heat than I'm using? Interesting there's a lot of views on both sides here, like the toilet paper over or under argument only far more practical! Well, that and also I'm a paraffin candlemaker, and I think that could be the difference, and also back then (18 years ago) who knows, I could have done something to make it do that. But because that did happen to me, I don't leave the lid on. I don't find that it has hurt my candlemaking at all with the lid off.. I believe ChrisR uses paraffin also (could be very wrong about that also) and she uses lid on with no problems, so it could just be a matter of personal choice and using precautions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 eek JC! Scary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcandleattic Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 eek JC! Scary.Yes, it was. But again, that was 18 ish years ago, and things in candlemaking have changed so much, and I have learned and know sooo much more now,that I rarely even think of that. Kind of what happened with me and soapmaking, but that's for a different thread, and I know I've told that story on here, so... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest OldGlory Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Been making soy wax candles for 15 years using a presto pot. Lid on usually to contain the heat a little better and I set it on the 'M' in warm also. Never had condensation. No problems leaving the lid on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scented Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Off. I don't want condensation anywhere close to my wax unless I decide to make ice candles. I've had two wax fires, not w/ a presto and I prefer not to see if I can start one. Even though others haven't had the trouble, I'm not changing. I put the lid on when I move it somewhere or wax sits too long in its cold state. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Dizzle Posted January 7, 2016 Author Share Posted January 7, 2016 I've noticed the top of the lid a bit hazy but didn't feel like condensation to me, but I honestly don't know what it is. Will try it off for kicks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest OldGlory Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 (edited) Off. I don't want condensation anywhere close to my wax unless I decide to make ice candles. I've had two wax fires, not w/ a presto and I prefer not to see if I can start one. Even though others haven't had the trouble, I'm not changing. I put the lid on when I move it somewhere or wax sits too long in its cold state. Scented, what source of heat were you using when you had the 2 wax fires? And, was it paraffin or soy or some other wax? Seems like good information to serve as a warning for new-ish candlemakers. Edited January 7, 2016 by OldGlory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scented Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Scented, what source of heat were you using when you had the 2 wax fires? And, was it paraffin or soy or some other wax? Seems like good information to serve as a warning for new-ish candlemakers. I had the fires early in my candlemaking career, but have come close using a pour pot trying to raise the temp of the wax above 212. As for the fires, back then I used the double boiler method and granulated paraffin in melter bags, followed the directions to a T. If Hobby Lobby still carries that crap, don't buy it, but back in the early to mid 90s they had those bags. The problem w/ the melting bags is they would bust and release the wax into the water and then poof, up in flames. I fell in love with pour pots, but found the presto eventually. There was a thread on the old site here that showed a wax explosion caused by water in something similar to the presto. I believe it was paraffin also ... and quite messy. Water has its uses, but not in my wax unless I'm making ice candles, cooling wax bowls or if I had a notion to plunge hot wax into water to make other things. It's just important not to have water in your wax and if you do, filter to salvage what wax you can and get rid of the rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck_35550 Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 I remember that thread. I leave the lid on my turkey fryer and never thought about condensation. There are candle AND soap fairies that can make weird things happen in a session. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debratant Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Interesting there's a lot of views on both sides here, like the toilet paper over or under argument only far more practical! Toilet paper must be over in my house!!! LOL.....it's a pet peeve of mine! I notice everyone has their preferences....it's something I take note of when using someones facilities....isn't that pathetic of me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 The original patent specified over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldieMN Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Toilet paper must be over in my house!!! LOL.....it's a pet peeve of mine! I notice everyone has their preferences....it's something I take note of when using someones facilities....isn't that pathetic of me?I'm just happy if he puts the roll on the holder. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Dizzle Posted January 8, 2016 Author Share Posted January 8, 2016 Toilet paper must be over in my house!!! LOL.....it's a pet peeve of mine! I notice everyone has their preferences....it's something I take note of when using someones facilities....isn't that pathetic of me? I'm more worried if it's there when I need it, rather than the direction the roll moves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 I'm more worried if it's there when I need it, rather than the direction the roll moves so true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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