HJS21 Posted July 16, 2021 Share Posted July 16, 2021 Hello everyone! Ā Ā I am a newbie candle maker needing some advice on melt pools and wax hang up please.Ā Ā Iāve read previously that there are conflicting views on full melt pools during a first burn. I have been trialing wicks in my 8oz container and finally settled on a wick that seems to leave little hang up after three 4hr burn sessions (so no FMP on the first burn).Ā Ā Iām using soy 464 and have just recreated my candle using only plain wax (no added FO) at the moment. This is just so I can test how the wick acts on a full burn, start to finish and am aware any fo added could alter my results so will test further.Ā I know soyĀ 464 can leave a residue so Iāve accepted this. My question is, how much hang up is too much?Ā Ā The attached picture below is from todayās first marathon burn (currently at 10 hours but will finish after 12). I have only slight wax hang up at the moment but this candle has been burning continuously throughout the day. Iāve had no mushrooming/carbon build up/excessive flame or heat from the container.Ā Iām not expecting customers to burn candles for more than 4hr periods (and will strongly advise they burn for 4hr periods only)Ā but I know some may leave them for longer during the day so needed to conduct a safety test.Ā Ā Iām very curious about wax hang up left after a marathon burn and hang up left afterĀ completing different 4 hour tests. Can I assume that based on todayās results, my wax hang up would have melted to this level afterĀ the 3rd burn a customer may complete (based on only burning for 4hr periods). Or is it that I only have little hang up due to burning for so long and incremental burning may leave a larger amount of hang up? Ā Thanks for any advice on this!Ā Ā Hannah x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted July 16, 2021 Share Posted July 16, 2021 how log was that wax cured before lighting?Ā a freshly poured (< 1 week) soy candle will leave less hang than a fully cured (generally 2+ week old ).Ā soy generally completes the majority of crystallization within 2 weeks. A small % will continue to cure for several weeks to months depending on the soy wax blend. Eventually all popular soy Iāve ever used will dry out and turn grainy - typically at about a year. Ā What are the proportions of the container?Ā if the container is taller than wide that hang up is not ābadā. by the half way mark all hang up is generally caught up and a normal shallow pool will develop. Shallow containers (think 8 oz tins and tea light dimensions) might not be able to catch up as readily. Only test burning the entire candle will reveal how it will end. Ā I would make another, cure appropriately and burn forĀ the typical 3 hour Ā cycles, allowing to cool completely between burns. Ā This is where the wick selection becomes easier to decipher. If too underwicked it will create a definite wall that will have difficulty catching up. I use a powerburn just to ensure my ānormalā final wick will not cause harm to people and their homes when they burn it. Often that āfinal peopleā are my own family š .Ā wick testing services burn for a standard length of time, usually Ā in a 70*F temp controlled space. Burn tests at home can be enlightening or misleading depending on the temp (and humidity) Ā we keep our homes. It is not an exact science, but is sure useful! this is a nice baseline powerburn study. Ā Well done. Keep going.Ā It will change depending on the fragrance and fragrance % you use in the final candles. Some FO will make the wax practically melt immediately, others will remain largely like the unscented wax. It is maddening.Ā Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HJS21 Posted July 16, 2021 Author Share Posted July 16, 2021 Thank you for such a detailed response! So the wax was actually poured yesterday, meaning I had a 24hr cure time prior to burning š¤¦š»āāļø Newbie mistake!! I had assumed cure time was only essential for added fo and the overall HT, I didnāt even think of crystallisation! Iāll re make this to get a view on how the hang up is after 2 weeks.Ā Ā At the moment after a 12hr burn, I have a melt pool of Approx 1/2 inch. So not too deep. Saying that the dimensions are 93mm heightĀ X 78mm diameter. Which is nice to know that hang up is expected in a container that has more height than width.Ā Ā Haha thatās not a bad idea! Iām going to be conducting multiple safety tests to ensure my candles are safe. I would hate to know that Iād endangered anyone by not being thorough! I will re make this and test in 3-4hr increments for a clearer idea on my wick āŗļø Ā Room temp has been very stable, not too hot or too cold here in the U.K at the moment but itās great to know how the room itself can have an impact on the burn - another thing I hadnāt thought off!Ā Ā I was curious regarding FOās so your view on certain FOās burning the wax quicker than others is super helpful.Ā I had thought this may be the case but didnāt want to solely rely on my logic of thinking ācertain fuel may burn quickerā. I can never be too sure with the right or wrong methods involved in candle making. Iām enjoying the testing but there are so many elements, I had no idea šĀ Ā Thank you, Iāll keep testing until my candle is somewhat perfect but completely safe x 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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