mjl89 Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 (edited) Hi, I am new here and have searched all over different discussions and haven't had much success finding an answer to my issue. I am having some MAJOR trouble wicking my C3 wax. I've used almost every single wick there is and still don't know what wick I should be using for this wax. I love C3 and the scent throw it provides, but all of my candles aren't reaching full melt pool. Details of everything are below. Containers: 3" diameter x 3.75" tall Fragrance Load: 6% Pour Temp: 160 degrees I have tried the following wicks: HTP 104, 105, 126 and 1212. Premier 765-795 CD 16-22 ECO 12-16 None of these reached full melt pool and some immediately started tunneling. The HTP 1212 was recommended to me for my container size and wax type, but the flame dances and flickers like crazy (no draft or anything near by) and still tunneled a little bit. I understand that C3 is a slow burning wax, but is it that difficult to wick? I spent so much time and money on wicks, wax and fragrance and am getting discouraged at this point. I always let my candles sit for at least 72 hours before I test burn. Any recommendations or help would be much appreciated! Edited February 20, 2018 by mjl89 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 First, welcome. You've come to the right place for your candle questions. C3 is a tough wax to wick, especially given all of the changes the soy wax industry has faced over more than the last year. Once you crack the code and learn its limitations and quirks, it's a nice wax to work with. curing: 72 hours for soy is not enough curing time. Soy continues to harden and crystallize for weeks. for a good wick test, you will need to wait at least one week, better two weeks. when you say "immediately tunneling", what do you mean? If it is what I think it is, you have air cavities/sink holes beneath the surface of the wax. When the wick warms the wa above the melt pool drains quickly into that hole causing a slight flare, then drowns out, or continues to under burn as you describe. Those two eco wicks should be plenty to burn C3 (depending on the fragrance you chose). To check for air pockets, poke holes with a skewer from top to bottom around the wick. Willing to bet you have some. They are due to cooling issues. If C3 cools too quickly or unevenly it will form large air pockets/cavities/sink holes which make you think it is tunneling. If you find them, really open those holes, and do a second pour ensuring enough wax gets down into them to fill. to help prevent them, here's a thread where I shared what works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjl89 Posted February 20, 2018 Author Share Posted February 20, 2018 Thank you so much for your reply! I was told by a few different candle places that 24 hours was enough time to let the candle dry and then another place said 72 hours, but I will let my testers sit for at least a week to two weeks! When I say immediately tunneling, I mean that when I light for the very first time, you can tell that it is burning way too deep right away and not expanding enough towards the outside of the jar. I hope that helps clarify a little. I'm willing to bet that I have air pockets and will definitely try poking holes with a skewer. Do you poke all the way down to the bottom of the container near the wick or just a little bit? I want to make sure I do it correctly! I'll also look at the thread you shared. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 what you just described sounds like text book air pockets. Poke a skewer pretty far down at several places around your wick. If you feel any sudden give, eureka! you've struck a cavity. i go to the bottom. After you excavate a few you'll see where your problems begin and can fix them. C3 is a bad one for air pockets, just like 444. keep them fairly warm as they cool to really slow it all down. a cold table top will cause loads of cavities.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjl89 Posted February 20, 2018 Author Share Posted February 20, 2018 I'm definitely going to give the skewers a try! Another thing I have noticed when I'm test burning are little air bubbles near the wick when it's lit, as well as little sink holes too. I'm betting I have too many air cavities. I liked your ideas of warming a tile and putting a large plastic bin over them, as well as the hot bath idea. Do you recommend a certain pouring temp? I've been pouring at 160 degrees. Should I wait till it gets cloudy, around 100 degrees then pour? Will gladly take any pouring temp suggestions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 I will confess I do not take temperatures of my wax. I do wait until it begins to cloud just so that I don’t melt the wax coating of my wick. c3 is horrible about little bubbles. It can look like champagne is too aerated while stirring or pouring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CristiLee Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 I just did my first test pour of c3 and had the most perfect setup! I don't think the wax would need to even have a heat gun it is so smooth! I poured at 140F. I hope it wasn't a fluke... and I hope when I test burn the HT is amazing... waiting on it to cure now. Did you happen to find a good wick that you settled on? It's hard because the container plays such a role too, whether it absorbs heat or not, if its fluted, etc. For my test I went ahead and wicked them the same as I do for 444 in my container.... we will see! FINGERS AND TOES CROSSED! 444 has been less than impressive since this spring for me, used it for a year before that with awesome results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfc Posted December 15, 2018 Share Posted December 15, 2018 On 2/20/2018 at 7:52 AM, mjl89 said: Hi, I am new here and have searched all over different discussions and haven't had much success finding an answer to my issue. I am having some MAJOR trouble wicking my C3 wax. I've used almost every single wick there is and still don't know what wick I should be using for this wax. I love C3 and the scent throw it provides, but all of my candles aren't reaching full melt pool. Details of everything are below. Containers: 3" diameter x 3.75" tall Fragrance Load: 6% Pour Temp: 160 degrees I have tried the following wicks: HTP 104, 105, 126 and 1212. Premier 765-795 CD 16-22 ECO 12-16 None of these reached full melt pool and some immediately started tunneling. The HTP 1212 was recommended to me for my container size and wax type, but the flame dances and flickers like crazy (no draft or anything near by) and still tunneled a little bit. I understand that C3 is a slow burning wax, but is it that difficult to wick? I spent so much time and money on wicks, wax and fragrance and am getting discouraged at this point. I always let my candles sit for at least 72 hours before I test burn. Any recommendations or help would be much appreciated! were you able to find an HTP wick that worked well with C3? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfc Posted December 15, 2018 Share Posted December 15, 2018 On 8/17/2018 at 2:04 PM, CristiLee said: I just did my first test pour of c3 and had the most perfect setup! I don't think the wax would need to even have a heat gun it is so smooth! I poured at 140F. I hope it wasn't a fluke... and I hope when I test burn the HT is amazing... waiting on it to cure now. Did you happen to find a good wick that you settled on? It's hard because the container plays such a role too, whether it absorbs heat or not, if its fluted, etc. For my test I went ahead and wicked them the same as I do for 444 in my container.... we will see! FINGERS AND TOES CROSSED! 444 has been less than impressive since this spring for me, used it for a year before that with awesome results. were you able to find an HTP wick that worked well with C3? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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