8 oz jelly jar and votive questions/issues

[thegrandedame]

Hi all. I've been working hard trying to master my candlemaking since my last post, and have come back with more questions. Even though I would love to master all types of candles, I decided to narrow it down to 8 oz jelly jar containers and votives for now. I hope a kind soul will help me with the following difficulties I am having:

8 oz jelly jars:

I am using Peaks container wax IGI 4630. I've tried HTP 62 wicks. I am having a problem with the candle not melting all the way out to the jar. Is this called "tunnelling"? My flame looks good, no smoking, nice steady safe sized flame and I seem to have a decent scent throw. I lit it in my family room, and could smell the candle throughout the entire first floor of home within about 10 minutes. I am using 1/2 oz scent per lb, currently Peaks "strawberry kiwi". I have to confess I do not know my pouring temps. I just melt the wax, add the fragrance, stir for about a minute, then pour. Add wick after about 10 minutes. I wonder if that is the problem? Any confirmation on that, or other suggestions about what I can do to correct the tunnelling? Could it be my wick size, and how do I determine whether to go up a size or down? Any suggestions on what I should try next? Also, I am finding I need to top off this "one pour" wax. Is this normal?

Votives:

Using Peaks IGI 4794 votive wax from their kit. First of all, I am having to top off these votives, too. Is this normal? Second, I am having similar "tunelling" issues as I am with the container wax. I am using the votive wicks that came with the kit, so I don't understand why this is happening. I made some votvie candles with some hobby wax I received as a gift last year (the beginning of my addiction!) just to get it used up (didn't have the heart to throw it away) and I burned them the other day and to my surprise, they worked better than my votives I've made with my "good" wax! They totally liquified, melted all the way down to nothing and lasted all day, and the scent throw was phenomenal! (Peaks baby powder FO) Puzzling...

For anyone who is still reading at this point (hehe) I also have these general questions:

What do you do with a candle that is not working out? Waste the wax? Can you remelt it to use again? How would you get any soot or particles out? I was wondering if I could just make a "mystery candle" for my own enjoyment out of all the screwed up candles I've made. LOL

When a repour is required, how do you measure your repour wax? I weigh out my wax, pour it, then when I need to repour later, I have no idea how much to melt. There must be an easier way to deal with this?

Also... when you scent your wax, do you scent it in the container you are melting in? Or do you transfer to another container?

I am eternally grateful for your help. I will wait for responses before I try again. I don't want to waste anymore supplies at this point until I have some seasoned advice! Thanks a lot....

[sudsnwicks]

For your jelly jars, what's the diameter? And how many hours had you burned it when it still had not melted all the way out?

For the votives, were you burning them in a fitted container?

For candles that didn't work, you can always remelt them and try again.

I scent mine in the pot I am melting the wax in.

For the votives, yes you do need to do a repour, this is normal.

For repours, you shouldn't melt a new batch of wax. You should measure out enough wax for the whole thing, then only pour about 80% the first time, and pour the rest the 2nd time. You don't really need to measure what's 80%. The wax will expand when heated, so you just pour to the top of the mold and it'll take care of itself, so long as you weighed it correctly to start with.

[thegrandedame]

To answer your questions:

The diameter of the 8oz jj is 2 and 1/2 inches across. I burned it for about 3 and 1/2 hours. There is a little less than 1/2 inch of wax around the sides that didn't melt. If I wicked up from HTP 62, what would be the next logical wick to use? HTP 83?

The votives, yes, I burn them in a fitted votive holder. There might be some room around them (they don't fit snugly or anything, should they?) but they seem perfect for votives.

So, I could add scent in the pot I am melting in, pour it, then remelt the leftover wax for the repour? (obviously, it would harden by the time I was ready for the repour, correct?)

Thanks so much for your help.

[thegrandedame]

One more question from the amateur... how do you remelt wax in a 8 oz jj? Would I double boil the jar to melt the wax?

[sudsnwicks]

You could try HTP 73 for your jelly jar. I am not sure if there is another size in between that and 62. Does the jar taper inward towad the bottom? If so my concern would be that the bigger wick might be okay at the top and be too big for the bottom in which case the 62 might be better overall. I wouldn't remelt that particular one as yet and would burn it all the way down just to see what happens later.

For the votive holder you're using, how much room around are you talking about. Yes it is supposed to fit snugly, although if the wiggle room isn't too much, you might be able to get away with it, as it doesn't have to be so tight.

Yes, you would simply remelt the leftover wax in the pot for the repour. It would have solidified by then, but it is no problem to remelt it as it doesn't affect anything.

I'm sure there is more than one way to remelt wax in a jelly jar. The way I do it is to place the jar upside down in my pour pot and then place in the oven on the lowest setting, checking every 10 minutes. Once the wax has softened, you should be able to pick up the jar and everything falls out. You don't have to wait until it has liquefied completely.

[number2of7]

The diameter of the 8oz jj is 2 and 1/2 inches across. I burned it for about 3 and 1/2 hours. There is a little less than 1/2 inch of wax around the sides that didn't melt. If I wicked up from HTP 62, what would be the next logical wick to use? HTP 83?

The next size up is the HTP 72, then HTP 83. If that was your first 3 1/2 hour burn, I would do one more 3 hour burn to see if the wax "catches up". Mine hung up the first burn, but then caught up by the second.

I'm having similar issues with my 8oz JJ too. I started with the HTP 83, but felt it was too big (due to a fairly deep MP), so I've gone down to a HTP 72. Seems to be working fine right now! My confusion comes in where most people recommend an HTP 104 for and 8oz jelly jar. That would seem way too hot, which is why I've posted a thread about it.

Anyway, good luck!!

[sudsnwicks]

My confusion comes in where most people recommend an HTP 104 for and 8oz jelly jar. That would seem way too hot, which is why I've posted a thread about it.

For the wide mouth jelly jars it might be okay. That is why I asked her what was the diameter of her jelly jar.

[thegrandedame]

Just an update. I did a second burn today on the tunnelling 8 oz JJ, and it did seem to melt the sides better. Its all melting now, and there is just 1/2 a ring of wax at the top left from the first burn that is sticking to the side. I will do another burn tomorrow and see what happens.

With this in mind, should I bother trying wicking up, or does this mean I found the right wick?

[sudsnwicks]

With this in mind, should I bother trying wicking up, or does this mean I found the right wick?

I would burn it all the way down before deciding. If there's any doubt that this wick size is not satisfactory, then I would make another candle with the next size up, again burning it all the way down to see if I like it better.

[Patience]

Hi grandedame,

How about if you make two testers with your JJ. Test your original wick again, and wick up in the 2nd one. You never can tell what a 2nd and 3rd burn might bring you! Wax has a mind of it's own.

Votives require a re-pour.

I'm wondering about tunneling in your votive burn. Did you use a heavy FO?

[Ruby]

Hi. I pour leftover wax in layers and call it "Candleshop". HTH Ruby

[thegrandedame]

In my votives, I used 1/2 oz of FO to 8oz of wax. Are you supposed to go easier on FO with votives?

Also, when you meld down for a repour, how do you get any particles (wick, ash, etc) out of the wax? And, does the fragrance get weaker during all this remelting, and should you add more FO to compensate for that?

Thanks all for all your help. I think what I will do tonight is make two more test JJ's, one with the same wick I've been using and one wicked up. Can I try some other FO's or do I have to stick with the same one? How much of a difference do the FO's really make when the container and wax stays the same?

Thanks all... GrandDame

[sudsnwicks]

The votive FO amount sounds fine although you should check that this is within the recommended usage amount for that particular FO.

There's no need to add additional FO during the 2nd pouring. The scent won't get weaker. I'm not sure I understand about the particles in your wax though. Where are these particles coming from. Was the wax your bought not 'clean'?

I would use the same FO if you're testing 2 different wicks in your jelly jars. It just makes for comparison easier.

[thegrandedame]

Well, the wick and the blackened parts of the wick that have dropped from the burning, is what I mean. If you remelt the candle, the wick ends up in the melted wax, correct? :embarasse

[sudsnwicks]

If you're remelting a candle that didn't work, I would take a tweezer and fish out the wick. For smaller particles of junk, I don't usually worry about those, since it's just for my personal testing.

[SatinDucky]

For the debris left after remelting, let it settle to the bottom then pour gently. Most all of it will stay in the bottom of the pot with a little bit of wax. Then pour that bit into a scrap container or wipe it out with paper towels.

[thegrandedame]

Another update on my burn.

I still haven't made another JJ because my HTP 62 wick in my 2 1/2 inch mouth seems to be doing well. I did my 4th 3 hour burn this afternoon. The wax is about 1/2 gone, the flame has gotten a little bigger and a tad smokey and the wax is all melting to the edges now. The melted part is about 3/4 inch deep.

Does this sound about on par for one of these? I think I will keep burning this all the way down before I wick up. I might have found the sweet spot.

Also, I burned my votive again yesterday, and the flame was barely there, still tunnelling, and the melted wax was browning a bit. (I haven't added any color to my candles yet) Does the browning wax mean anything?

Also, does pouring temp factor into how a votive burns? And, the containers I am burning my votives in provide about 1/2 inch of space around the votive, maybe even less.

Thanks for all your input! This board is awesome.

Editing to add: How do you determine how long to burn a candle?

[sudsnwicks]

What temps were you using for the 1st and 2nd pour for those votives? I don't really know what's wrong with them but maybe you could try using a tighter fitting holder. The one I use doesn't have 1/2 inch of space around the candle. It pretty much fits exactly.

[Brat]

Quick suggestion, if I may. I would buy a thermometer, you can get a candy thermometer at grocery stores or wal mart. It's important to know what temp your wax gets to, as if it gets too hot, the FO will burn off... too low and some FOs don't bind with the wax. The wax usually has a label on it that tells you what temp you should get it to.

The usual way to tell how long to burn a candle is one inch of diameter per hour. Hope this helps!

[coconut]

Well, the wick and the blackened parts of the wick that have dropped from the burning, is what I mean. If you remelt the candle, the wick ends up in the melted wax, correct? :embarasse

I use a metal wire strainer and pour the melted wax through it. Sometimes I put cheesecloth (from kitchen department of the supermarket) in the strainer to catch the fine bits. To clean the strainer, all metal ones can go in the oven at 150 degrees Farenheit, on a cookie sheet with a paper towel. Use a junk cookie sheet, not a good one. If the strainer has a plastic handle, you can use a heat gun or hair dryer to melt the wax before you re-use the strainer. I am also testing this wax with Jelly jars and find it is good until near the bottom when the flame is too high. Be sure to test your jars all the way to the end. I have since switched to cotton wicks which don't seem to get so hot in the bottom of the jar. Good Luck!

[Brenny]

Hi,

I make jj also. I don't use the same kind of wax but I use IGI 4786 and a

44-24-18z wick.

I heat my wax to 170, add my dye, stir for 2 min. slowly, then add my scent and stir again for about 2 min. I also heat my jars at the lowest temp. of my oven which is 170 also. Hope this helps a little. Oh yea, I use a regular candy thermometer also.:smiley2:

[MissMary]

I use a metal wire strainer and pour the melted wax through it. Sometimes I put cheesecloth (from kitchen department of the supermarket) in the strainer to catch the fine bits. To clean the strainer, all metal ones can go in the oven at 150 degrees Farenheit, on a cookie sheet with a paper towel. Use a junk cookie sheet, not a good one. If the strainer has a plastic handle, you can use a heat gun or hair dryer to melt the wax before you re-use the strainer. I am also testing this wax with Jelly jars and find it is good until near the bottom when the flame is too high. Be sure to test your jars all the way to the end. I have since switched to cotton wicks which don't seem to get so hot in the bottom of the jar. Good Luck!

I do the same thing, I have a total metal fine holed strainer and took and remelted all my old Wal-Mart candles down into one. I also use it when melting down wax to rewick a different one.

I flip it upside down about the same temp and let all the gunk drain on the paper towel.

As for heating up the jars, I put my containers on my griddle that I use for leveling pillars. It sits around 160F and then when it's melted, I take a paper towel to grab it and pour it through the strainer then back into my pour pot. If it's clean, I'll toss it back into the presto pot.

[thegrandedame]

To the person who remelts old walmart wax to use for a new one. How do you know what type of candle to make (container? JJ? Pillar? Votive?) and wick to use in it?

I have a ton of half burnt candles ranging from Partylite to Walmart, and don't want to throw the wax away, but am not sure what to make with it either. As a novice, I don't dare do any chunks or anything like that.

Thanks all!

[thegrandedame]

I have another question about using old wax. I have a thick glass heart shaped container that I can use to put the old wax in, but it would definitely take more than one wick. How do I know which sized wick to use, and how many? 2 or 3 wicks? I can sortof eyeball the container and see that the heart looks like it would fit 3 8oz JJ mouths in it, so does that mean I could use 3 htp 62 or htp 73 wicks in it?

Hope that all makes some sense...

[thegrandedame]

Just a quick bump. Any thoughts on wicking my heart shaped container?