Correct wax for jar candles

[staciespence]

I'm new at making candles and have a question about wax. I was making parrafin wax candles in 8oz jelly type jars and they smelled great (hot and cold) however they produced black around top of jar and kinda smoked. I then looked into making soy candles and tried to make 100% soy (jar candles). They smelled great in jars but when lit they had no smell and they burnt up fast (the only good thing was that jars were very easy to clean up). I then tried to mix parrafin and soy was at different percentages, but still no Hot throw smells like everyone likes.

What should I use or what am I doing wrong? I've even tried different wicks to see if that was the problem....but that didn't seem to help the smell.

I would love to make a soy type candle (since they burn so clean) that you can smell cold and when it is burning that will smell up your house.....But I obviously don't know how...Can someone please advise?

Thanks in advance for any and all replies.

[jennhalcyon]

Welcome to the board!

Did you try any of the soy/parrafin pre-blended waxes? I know some on the board love their 50-50 blends, and there are a number of different suppliers you could choose from. I have used a soy blend in the past and it did have great throw. Sometimes certain waxes and certain wax/FO combinations need more time to cure before you can get a decent hot throw. How long idd you wait before burning?

Jenn

[staciespence]

Welcome to the board!

Did you try any of the soy/parrafin pre-blended waxes? I know some on the board love their 50-50 blends, and there are a number of different suppliers you could choose from. I have used a soy blend in the past and it did have great throw. Sometimes certain waxes and certain wax/FO combinations need more time to cure before you can get a decent hot throw. How long idd you wait before burning?

Jenn

While having these problems I used the the wax and scents and dyes from the same company. They make candles and sale supplies so I asked them about this problem....they said they mix there wax; they use J223 paraffin wax (about 70%) and then use 100% Soy wax (about 30%). I tried that and that didn't work for my scent throw. I did love the way the candle burned and it was very clean, but NO smell....I even doubled my scent to wax ratio and that didn't even help. As far as waiting on burning it varied from the next day and some until weeks. Still NO SMELL.......What do I need to do? I hate to keep buying diff. kinds of wax and it not working and then having it to do nothing with (not too mention being a stay-at home mom) doesn't allow me to spend at leisure.

[debscent]

Welcome to candle making! And, welcome to CT. Please provide us with more information. What FO did you use, from what supplier, etc.? Some FOs just don't work in all wax applications. What type of wicks are you using? There are many variables in making candles, so we'll try to help.

I use a 50/50 blend wax and have great luck (but I don't mix it myself, I buy it preblended with all the additives included).

[staciespence]

I used the J223 and the GW464(soy wax) from Alabaster Candle Supply and I used their FO and the wicks I tried is ECO 8 Coreless Cotton Core Wicks from them also and then I also tried some Simple Soy Wicks from Wholesale Supplies Plus, Inc.

With the 50/50 wax you use, does it have a good hot and cold throw? Does it have an even, smooth burn pool? Does your candles burn up fast or slow? Who do you get your wax from and how much does it cost? Would it work with my FO?

[debscent]

I don't use Alabaster, but I get my wax from Farmhouse Candle Supply in New Jersey, she's currently charging $52.00 per 55 lb. case of wax. I use CD8 wicks for my tins and Paper Core wicks from Candles & Supplies for my 10 oz. salsa jar. I get a beautiful burn and great hot/cold throw with minimal curing (2-3 days). I use moslty FOs from Peaks, Candle Science, Daystar and a few from Wildfire.

I typically get 6-7 hours of burn time per ounce (same with my votives).

You may notice everyone has different results with different products, so I hope someone has more applicable advice then I do. Sorry.

[Darbla]

What do I need to do? I hate to keep buying diff. kinds of wax and it not working and then having it to do nothing with (not too mention being a stay-at home mom) doesn't allow me to spend at leisure.

I know what you mean, and my candle experimenting (and I'm sure a lot of folks') is very much limited because of this. But I don't know what for us to do but buy what we can when we can and try to salvage as much as possible from the duds (I'm trying to decide what to do with some duds now). I'm sure the long-timers here have done the same thing.

As I get better at it, I'm sharing what I learn in the hopes it saves someone else some money. I do that in my work because it increases productivity; if someone doesn't have to do the same research I did, then maybe they can take what I have done, build on it, and evolve us another step that will benefit me too. With candles, I wish there was a garanteed "do abc and you'll get xyz" but after my research so far, I'm not sure that's going to happen. Just too many variables, and while many many people are sharing wonderful knowledge here, this board is so busy sometimes the info that would help me tremendously gets buried under pages and pages of posts. :undecided

You bought from Alabaster: are you in Alabama, by chance? I need to get over to the off-topic board and see if there's a post about our locations. I would love to meet some chandlers close to me. I'm in Mississippi.

Darbla

[kandlekrazy]

What scent are you using, as someone else pointed out, not all scents work well in soy. You said where you got it, but not what scent it was.

[Stella1952]

Welcome, Stacie and howdy to Darbla (I'm in LA).

Stacie, there are many variables to successful candlemaking. I hope you will read, read, read here and become familiar with the "search" tool - it can be your best friend! Everyone has to test to see what works best for them with their containers, wax, wicks, FOs and additives. There are just no one-size-fits-all solutions, unless you purchase kits that have been tested to produce the same results time after time and you use ONLY the ingredients supplied with those kits (including the FOs because FOs can change wicking and throw requirements).

Good luck and have fun!

[notjustbaskets]

How long have you been researching?

Research< Research< Test? Research> Test?

[jennhalcyon]

Stacie,

It might help if you tell us more about your method. What temp did you take the wax to, how much FO did you at? What temp did you add the FO? Where was the FO from and what scent?

I used to use a mix of J223-soy 125 (75%-25%) and it had great throw. Let us know those details and I am sure we can get to the bottom of it!

Jenn

[staciespence]

What scent are you using, as someone else pointed out, not all scents work well in soy. You said where you got it, but not what scent it was.

It doesn't smell with all of my scents.....such as Birds of Paradise, Honeydew Melon, Oriental Apple, Apple Cinnamon, etc. I even tried 2 to 2 1/2oz of scent to 1lb of wax.....It smells great cold, but no smell when lit. ?????

[staciespence]

Stacie,

It might help if you tell us more about your method. What temp did you take the wax to, how much FO did you at? What temp did you add the FO? Where was the FO from and what scent?

I used to use a mix of J223-soy 125 (75%-25%) and it had great throw. Let us know those details and I am sure we can get to the bottom of it!

Jenn

I'm still new at this and I don't have a thermometer yet, I use a double boiler type method and I heat my wax to about 175 and then I sit it aside and then add my color dye and stir and then add scent and stir and stir some more and then I pour.

[staciespence]

Welcome, Stacie and howdy to Darbla (I'm in LA).

Stacie, there are many variables to successful candlemaking. I hope you will read, read, read here and become familiar with the "search" tool - it can be your best friend! Everyone has to test to see what works best for them with their containers, wax, wicks, FOs and additives. There are just no one-size-fits-all solutions, unless you purchase kits that have been tested to produce the same results time after time and you use ONLY the ingredients supplied with those kits (including the FOs because FOs can change wicking and throw requirements).

Good luck and have fun!

Thanks for the reply. I will keep reading. I feel smarter already. Alot of talented people on this board. I feel lucky to have found it....actually my husband found it.. He is an admin on his Pressure Washing Board and he found this trying to help me.

[staciespence]

How long have you been researching?

Research< Research< Test? Research> Test?

Not too long. I was originally making parrafin candles (for almost a year - part time around my kids schedules). I just recently decided to try soy; mainly to prevent the black on the jars and when I was making them in my kitchen my cabinets are white and after time they started getting black smut on them. Also when I tried to make soy candles I loved the way they clean up so easy and burn so clean. I just can't get my hot smell like I could with parrafin. (to answer your question...just started experimenting with soy wax about 2 months)

[jennhalcyon]

I'm still new at this and I don't have a thermometer yet, I use a double boiler type method and I heat my wax to about 175 and then I sit it aside and then add my color dye and stir and then add scent and stir and stir some more and then I pour.

Well, that should be first on your list...getting a thermometer, even the glass "candy" thermometers they sell at Walmart. You are probably adding your FO at too low a temp. I would try heating the wax a little hotter, then add your FO at about 175. HTH!

[staciespence]

I know what you mean, and my candle experimenting (and I'm sure a lot of folks') is very much limited because of this. But I don't know what for us to do but buy what we can when we can and try to salvage as much as possible from the duds (I'm trying to decide what to do with some duds now). I'm sure the long-timers here have done the same thing.

As I get better at it, I'm sharing what I learn in the hopes it saves someone else some money. I do that in my work because it increases productivity; if someone doesn't have to do the same research I did, then maybe they can take what I have done, build on it, and evolve us another step that will benefit me too. With candles, I wish there was a garanteed "do abc and you'll get xyz" but after my research so far, I'm not sure that's going to happen. Just too many variables, and while many many people are sharing wonderful knowledge here, this board is so busy sometimes the info that would help me tremendously gets buried under pages and pages of posts. :undecided

You bought from Alabaster: are you in Alabama, by chance? I need to get over to the off-topic board and see if there's a post about our locations. I would love to meet some chandlers close to me. I'm in Mississippi.

Darbla

Yes I'm in Alabama...actually in Prattville (just outside of Montgomery). Alabaster Candle Supply is located in Jemison, Alabama and that is about 30 minutes north of me.

I too would love to meet other people who makes candles near me...would love to share ideas and maybe learn new ones.

[Jeannie]

More scent does not always equal more scent throw in fact it can hinder your throw/progress if you are over scenting you are liking creating wicking issues amoung other problems that could arise. How is your melt pool, how long does it take to get one. Does it completely liquify on top side to side of the jar, approx 1/4" deep? My guess is you are over scenting and under wicking. Are you using color at all, I can't recall and what kind, how much? I think you said color blocks, how much per lb? To much color can also cause wicking issues which in result can distrupt your scent throw. Try adding a bit of brown/black or blue to deepen colors so you don't need to use a ton of color. Make sure you are weighing your wax and fragrances accordingly. No guessing! Get a thermometer add FO 180, stir, stir and pour at the temp advised 175 or whatever you stated.

If everything is OK so far then it could be a few other things that very well could be complicating things for you. Some scents just don't throw in certain waxes that is why it costs us so much to test everything. You have to keep hunting to find the one that works. So if bird of paradise is not throwing for you from this company and you had a decent burn then I would try another company. This company may have a great blueberry but their bird of paradise doesn't throw for you. So you try another one!!! I have also found that spicy scents often are harder to get a throw in soy waxes but you have plenty of paraffin in there so that shouldn't be a problem. Although a lot of times we tend to color it a lot darker and the oil is heavier so often is likely the burn is the culprit. Plenty of people uses these waxes so keep note of what scent from what company is working for them. Doesn't mean it will work for you since we all view scent throw differently but it's a good gamble. Also make sure you are not pouring your candles in the same room you live in, get a ventilator when pouring. Give your nose a break from time to time. Also, be consistant in your testing area's. Size, drafts, amount of time. Don't test a candle sitting right next to you, you often won't smell it after a period of time. You may have a good old case of candle nose from trying to hard, HTH.

[staciespence]

Thanks for the advise, but what does it mean to be "under wicking"? Yes I do get a good melt pool. People love the way the candles burn. I never had any problems with any of this until I tried to start using soy wax...like I stated before I loved the way the soy wax burns so clean. As far as the colors, I mostly use the dye blocks, but depending on the color I want I just scrape off some and when I make candles I am only making 1 to 2lbs at a time.

So from what I have been reading it sounds like I should try a preblended wax if I want a great hot/cold scent throw; does anyone have any suggestions of what type of wax or who to get it from (I'm in Alabama...closest supplier that I know of is Alabaster Candle Supply).

Also what is the best wick to use and how do you determine what kind of wick to use for containers?

[jennhalcyon]

The best wick to use depends on your wax, and it can vary from scent to scent even. Everyone here will tell you that the best way to figure it out is to test test test. But you can check with the supplier for a starting point, as they can usually give you an idea of what they (and the manufacturer) have found to perform well in the wax.

[Stella1952]

it sounds like I should try a preblended wax if I want a great hot/cold scent throw

A "preblended wax" may or may not give you the hot throw you desire. Please read through the forum postings some and you will see that there is no one combination that works for all people all of the time unless you use EXACTLY the same products and ingredients as another person and then mix the products together and pour exactly the same either!

There is no "correct" or "best" container wax! get a great cold/hot throw from both the NatureWax C3 I use and the palm wax I use - it's all in how ya do it and what works best for you!

what does it mean to be "under wicking"? Yes I do get a good melt pool.

Here's where searching the forums would help you to answer your questions. Underwicking means that the wick is not large enough to burn well in a particular application. Perhaps a wick is drowning out (severe underwicking) or maybe a good melt pool is achieved but the throw is not desirable... whatever, it means that your candle is underwicked and you need to "wick up" or use a larger size wick. What do you consider to be a "good melt pool?"

I assure you that improperly wicked soy wax will soot and smoke just as badly as any other wax!

does anyone have any suggestions of what type of wax or who to get it from

In the General Candlemaking forum, there are sticky posts at the top that list suppliers by state; or you can Google to find suppliers for a particular item. Sometimes, the manufacturers will have distributors listed on their sites, etc. Just depends... not every supplier carries every kind of wax!

what is the best wick to use and how do you determine what kind of wick to use for containers

Here is a wick recommendation chart from one of the wick suppliers...

http://www.wickit.net/products.html#s_cdn

These recommendations are NOT set in stone - they are only places to begin! As you can see, with any of the wicks, there is usually a range for a particular size of container.

Ya gotta do your homework, Stacie! There is a WEALTH of information in these threads for the reading - all you have to do is look for it - the search tool is your best friend! And then you gotta test, test, test, even when you have been pointed in a direction by the manufacturer or supplier or someone here.

Good luck! HTH