bella soy Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 I got my sample wick packs in yesterday. Tonight I will be making some candles to start testing. I will be using 70/30 blend and 8 oz square mason jars. I have only ever used the ECO 8 wicks so far. they seem to be ok but I want to compare them with others to see if i get a better hot throw. My melt pool using the eco 8 seems to be a bit big. meaning the whole candle glows like the melt pool is too deep. So im going to try the ECO 6 in the same jar and see what that does. I also want to test the hemp and htp's. Anyone have a suggestion as to what size HTP and HEMP wick to start out with in this jar. I have so many sizes I dont want to just guess and waste my wax. also, those of you that use all these wicks, can you tell a diffrence in hot throw with them?? just wondering if the wick has anything to do with it. And which of the three wicks should I expect an awesome hot throw from?p.s. green leaf sent me a sample Fo with my order called baked apple pie. Anyone use this before in soy. ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SliverOfWax Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 Most suppliers have wick charts on their websites. You will have to take an educated guess and start testing like everybody else does. If you consider testing a waste of wax, you won't get very far in the business of making candles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise06 Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 hi, I use an HTP 126 for 8oz. jj. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisR Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 Hemps are a much cooler burning wick and mushroom like crazy, so be aware of that. I don't know the diameter of your jar, but start with a #1400 or #40032 and go from there!! Have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bella soy Posted May 16, 2006 Author Share Posted May 16, 2006 I dont think that its wise to just start testing random wicks with out being educated first. Thats why i posted this question to get an educated answer as to where to start. I dont want to waste wax on wicks that people have already tried and failed at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
latch Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 bella soy i totally understand, I wish people would think before they type!!I use htp and been using it for 4 years now, when i started, to save money i asked the same questions, and there were very helpful non judgemental people who helped me and it did save me a little, although i did spend a couple thousand before i perfected it. first off what wax are you using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bella soy Posted May 16, 2006 Author Share Posted May 16, 2006 Thanks latch, I am using the 70/30 blend from GL. Im not looking for an easy way out. Im not looking to save money persay, I just wanted to get everyones opinions before i started testing. If you look at some of my other threads that I have started, i get the feeling that some people just dont want to help. Maybe i should watch what i type too..lol...I have only used the ECo 8 and just wanted a general "starting" point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meridith Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 Bella, I don't think folks are trying to be rude or don't want to help. It is just that lots of people come on here and want the answers without doing the testing and sometimes, they might think that is what someone is doing when maybe they aren't. Also, when folks see lots of questions being asked by the same person, it might appear that the person isn't trying to find the answer out first through the use of the search feature. However, I've used the search before and not found my answer only to post the question and have someone direct me to the link. Testing is so subjective too and sometimes its hard to really answer the question - what works for one, might not work for another. I've seen folks ask a question, get an answer and then when it doesn't work for them, they are mad. I think folks would rather see you try first, then post your results with your questions. I think it shows that you are thinking for yourself, doing your testing and are serious about this craft. I am not making any judgement here just telling you what it might be. Once you have been around for awhile, you will see what I am talking about. Try to not get snippy with folks (not saying or implying you did just giving advice) and try to realize that they really are trying to help folks - just because you won't get spoon fed doesn't mean peeps don't want to help. Snippy answers only lead to more heated threads and make folks not want to help. Again, just trying to shed some light. BTW - I have had luck with the HTP 104 and 105 in jj. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tootie04 Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 If you are using the 8oz jj I would start with an HTP 83 and see how that goes. The 70/30 wax is a few wicks down from reg soy. I think you may be pleased with the ECO 6. Also dont forget you can post on Brenda's board (greenleafs board) you can read all the testing posts and post questions over there too.I tested this wax bout could not carry it, shipping is to high for me.PatriciaBTW...Yes her apple pie is great in that wax!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roxi4112000 Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 Htp 104 has worked for some scents, I also use eco 6 and 8. Good Luck, btw did you burn any of your testers yet?rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bella soy Posted May 16, 2006 Author Share Posted May 16, 2006 hey roxi, I havent burned any testers yet. Im going to do one tonight when i get home. Ill pm ya when im done my four hour journey..lol...hope it works out well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bella soy Posted May 16, 2006 Author Share Posted May 16, 2006 Meredith, I see what you are saying. I think that sometimes i take things way too personal. I realized that I am a very unsure person. I always second guess myself. I guess thats why i ask so many questions..lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stacien Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 Bella, what you can try when testing you wicks that I do. I was testing 700 series and almost lost my mind with all the choices in sizes with this wick. But I would burn for a couple of hours and if I noticed it wasn't burning right I would stick it right on the melting plate to melt it all the way. Some people use the oven too. But I would just rewick another jar with another size take the remainder wax and pour it in the new jar and let it set. I would just use the same wax and trade off with the same two jars. It saved me some time and wax. Another thing to save the wax is to make melts out of them. When I first started I wasted 50 pounds of soy wax instead of reusing it somehow. There are so many resourceful people on this sight that share their ideas and I am thankful for that. I was checking out the soap section which gave me the ideas for using the wax for melts. They always recycle bad batches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bella soy Posted May 16, 2006 Author Share Posted May 16, 2006 yeah im on the path of wasting about 50 lbs. myself..lol...so your saying that I can just keep reusing the same wax and testing different wicks? doesnt the composition of the wax, dye, fo combo change after reheated so many times??? thats what im afraid of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeana Posted May 17, 2006 Share Posted May 17, 2006 Really the best way to save time and wax is to pour a jar with no wick. Then make a hole, insert a wick and run your test. If you want to switch because you don't like how its burning, just pull the wick out and stick a new one in there. If the tops are uneven heat gun them flat, make a new hole and stick in the wick. This saves so much time rather than repouring entire candles and waiting for them to cool. To make the wick holes I heat a wick pin and push it into the wax. Also this way you aren't changing the formula every time you switch a wick either like reheating does. You can test several wicks within a couple of hours this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bella soy Posted May 17, 2006 Author Share Posted May 17, 2006 I was thinking of trying this method as well. But wasnt sure If I was going to get an accurate test considering the candle was already burned before, like im not giving the new wick a fair chance. But I see what your saying by reheating the tops to be smooth and even again before I insert another wick. Guess i gotta get a wick pin, or will a bambo scewer work??? I dont have a heat gun yet just a blow dryer lol...yesterday i poured a candle and I tried to pull the wick taut around the scewer and the whole wick pulled out! but i kept it in there anyways cause I still want to test that wick. Do i let the melt pool dry completly before inserting anp ther wick to test???Ill have to do a search on this topic to see what all ideas and tips i can get. I certainly dont want to keep making a candle, burning it for 4 hours and then realizing that its not working, then dumping the whole thing out. Just seems so wasteful to me...lol thanks for the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelaVA Posted May 17, 2006 Share Posted May 17, 2006 I was thinking of trying this method as well. But wasnt sure If I was going to get an accurate test considering the candle was already burned before, like im not giving the new wick a fair chance. But I see what your saying by reheating the tops to be smooth and even again before I insert another wick. Guess i gotta get a wick pin, or will a bambo scewer work??? I dont have a heat gun yet just a blow dryer lol...yesterday i poured a candle and I tried to pull the wick taut around the scewer and the whole wick pulled out! but i kept it in there anyways cause I still want to test that wick. Do i let the melt pool dry completly before inserting anp ther wick to test???Ill have to do a search on this topic to see what all ideas and tips i can get. I certainly dont want to keep making a candle, burning it for 4 hours and then realizing that its not working, then dumping the whole thing out. Just seems so wasteful to me...lol thanks for the advice. A bamboo skewer will work, but my preference is a wick pin. I let the candle set up completely, then pull up the wick and put in the new one. Then heatgun the top, let cool and it's ready to burn. I never dump out a candle because it doesn't burn right - it is wasteful that way. But I also don't usually need to pull up a wick either - I only pull up if it is absolutely clear that this is definitely the wrong size wick. Sometimes you can get too hasty and look at the candle and think "Well, that's not a big enough MP or that flame is too small, etc" But if you've only burned the candle for a few hours, you really need to burn it longer so you can tell what will happen. Sometimes a wick may seem like it struggles or leaves hangup, but it will catch up in a later burn and turn out just fine. You'll waste more wax by pulling up at the first sign of trouble. I do research before I pour and so I have a general idea of what will work in my wax, but i also like to burn it all the way down to see how it behaves when burned entirely. Then I can see that although it struggles at first, it's fine on the second or third burn and wicking up might cause more problems or that maybe I need a different series of wick, etc. Hope this all makes sense. I guess my word of advice here is to not be hasty in thinking that the wick is the wrong size. Even if it is, burning it for a while can give you good information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bella soy Posted May 17, 2006 Author Share Posted May 17, 2006 very good advice. Ill try that tomorrow when im pouring. I was so excited to use me new ez wick setter too, oh well. lol.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangerine Posted May 17, 2006 Share Posted May 17, 2006 Bella, When I test a certain wick and I know it isn't the right size, I yank it out, heat gun the hang up then wait for it to set up. Once it cools, I use a skewer to make a hole, insert the new wick, heat gun to seal it in, wait till it sets up again and then test. Once I've decided on a wick, I pour another full candle and test from top to bottom.Like Angela, I don't mind a little hang up after the first burn because it has a tendency to catch up with subsequent burns. If you check a wick chart for the type of wick you're using, you'll more or less know which size to start with. By the way, when I was starting out, someone told me she preferred an embossing gun over a heat gun since it's lighter. I have only used an embossing gun so I can't really tell you if the weight makes a big difference in the long run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SliverOfWax Posted May 17, 2006 Share Posted May 17, 2006 I dont think that its wise to just start testing random wicks with out being educated first. Thats why i posted this question to get an educated answer as to where to start. I dont want to waste wax on wicks that people have already tried and failed at.That's why I invited you to check out supplier websites. Most wick charts are very specific and give you very good starting points. After that, it's trial and error. Asking on a message board without researching, then getting a dozen or so different answers, will not help you in the slightest and will probably result in more wasted wax. Have fun. If done properly, you will find that researching and testing will take up the bulk of your time and money, at least in the beginning. If you expect someone else's results to work for you, you will fail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightning Bug Posted May 17, 2006 Share Posted May 17, 2006 Hi. The 8 oz. sq. is about 3" diagonal so you need a big enough wick to get the corners. If the Eco 8 is melting ok, try HTP 105 or a RRd 40/47 or a 51C to start. This blend can take a smaller wick than straight soy. I think the hotter wicks sometimes give better throw...you just have to balance it against meltpool etc. Then, you can always wick down/up from any of these. The wick does affect the throw even with a meltpool. HTH. Beth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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