No strong scent

[swamparoux]

I just purchased a container candle making kit from a reputable company. When the candle is simmering, you can smell the scent throughout my entire home. After the candle is poured and it cools, though, there is no strong scent. There is no strong scent when I smell the candle when it's not lit. When lit, there is a light scent in the air. It's not strong like most candles.

I am using the IGI 4786 paraffin wax and the 44-24-18z wick. The company recommends to use 1oz of FO per lb of wax. This seems to be the general standard in candle making.

I have read on the forums about not getting a strong throw due to the wick used. What I am using is that came with the kit. The company states that their FO produces a "HIGHLY" fragrant candle. Unfortunately, I am not smelling this. I expected something to be highly fragrant to have a strong scent like other candles I have bought in the past. When I speak of the ones bought in the past, it's ones that others have made, not store-bought.

I have followed the directions exactly. I measured the wax precisely (digital kitchen scale) and the temp was correct for the first and second pour (good cook digital thermometer).

[CatlinPM]

The immediate thoughts that come to my mind are candle nose and cure time. Right after I make a candle I have difficulty smelling much of anything for a day or so afterwards, let alone the freshly made candle. The fragrance is usually so strong while you are making the candle that it overpowers your scent receptors and any weaker version of that scent may be difficult to smell (candle nose). Secondly how long after you made the candle did you wait before you burned it? With most types of wax there is some curing time needed before you get full fragrance potency. I use palm wax, and for me it usually takes about a week before they are ready to burn. Again that varies depending on your wax, some don't need a cure time, some only a day or two, some longer. If you smell the candle every day or so after its been made, you will probably notice the scent getting stronger or even changing a little bit. I notice with some of mine that certain parts of the scent will drop to the background, more subtle characteristics of the scent may become more prominent etc... Anyway, I'm sure someone that uses this wax will chime in and be of more help than I can. Good luck with your candlemaking adventures, it can be very frustrating at times, but it's also alot of fun!

[darindab]

Try using htp wicks that is what i use with 4786

[swamparoux]

Thanks for the replies. I am ruling out candlenose. I don't doubt that I might have a slight case of it, but my girlfriend also states that it does not have a strong scent. She wasn't even in my home during nor after the time of making them. Therefore, her nose is a "clean" nose.

As for curing, the company did mention that, but did not give a definate time period. They just stated that the longer the candles sit on the shelf closed up (with lid on), the stronger they will get. I just made the cotton candy ones last night. This morning I made a couple banana nut bread and this evening I made a couple Hazelnut coffee.

I am still awaiting an email response from the company's support person. I never knew about a cure time, though. I thought u just make the candles and they will smell good immediately.

I will also look in to the wicks. I just went with what came with the kit as I am new to all of this. I have some books on candle making that I plan on reading.

[R.S.]

So are you adding the fragrance oil before the wax is melted? That's what I understood from your description, and you may be evaporating some of the fragrance during the manufacturing process.. which you obv don't want to do. Try melting the wax, getting it to the proper temperature, take the wax off the heat source, and THEN add the fragrance oil. The cure time above is also important.

[bugtussle]

How hot was your wax when you mixed in fo? I always heat mine to 190 and then add fos. I find wax has to be this hot to make the fo mix in. Carole

[swamparoux]

So are you adding the fragrance oil before the wax is melted? That's what I understood from your description, and you may be evaporating some of the fragrance during the manufacturing process.. which you obv don't want to do. Try melting the wax, getting it to the proper temperature, take the wax off the heat source, and THEN add the fragrance oil. The cure time above is also important.

No, I add the FO after the wax is melted. I fully melt the wax, then add my dye, after I mix the dye well in the melted wax, then I add the FO. I usually keep my wax at around 170 for my first pour. I let my first pour cool for a few hours (i.e. the candles). After my candles have cooled for a few hours (3-4) I take the wax I had previously made (still in my pot, but just hardened) and melt it back down. For my second pour, I met the wax to around 180.

I don't want to go too high as I am concerend about flash points. The directions that came with the kit suggested to not go to 200 degrees.

[bren31]

Is the FO in the mix when the temp is at 170? If so i would suggest waiting till the temp is closer to you pour temp. You might be evaporating your scent. I personally mix in my scent at 135. also i dye my mix after i put in my scent due to you cant tell if its well mixed if you add the dye 1st. Some scents require more stirring then others. Also you dont need a second fill if you have either a heat gun or a oven with broil setting. I zap mine for a few mins in the over till the tops have a little melt to them. lately though my 1st pour has been great really havnt needed a 2nd pour.

[swamparoux]

I use two pours to fill in the sinking. After the first pour, the middle dips in a little. From what I have read, this is normal. The second pour (which I do at 180) seems to do the trick.

What I do is do the first pour at 170, wait a few hours (3-4) until the first pour is cooled. Then I reheat the wax mix to 180 and do he second pour. For my first pour, I fill the jars about 3/4 or of the way up. The second pour fills in that dip and everything seems fine.

Today I capped the jars (put the lids on). Since doing that, the candles seem to be getting a stronger scent to them. I guess this cure thing is right. Does anyone have a specific time frame they recommend candles should cure before selling or burning?

[bugtussle]

Quote: "I personally mix in my scent at 135."

Bren, the fo will not bind with the wax at 135. If you are getting any scent throw, you are just lucky. Carole

[bren31]

funnu how on this board everything i do is wrong lol. It works for me yet its wrong thanks once again for discrediting the way i do my candles i think in the future i will just watch.

[bugtussle]

Bren, I have never posted to any post you have made before. FO will not bind with the wax at 135 IMHO. Take it or leave it. Carole

[debscent]

I don't think anyone was trying to discredit you, but in my experience, if I add FO below 160 it doesn't work. I use a 50/50 blend.

[bren31]

I use gb444 and so far in testing havnt had an issue with around 135-150 ish adding to the wax i have read many posts saying it is ok several saying it isnt ok, so i understand what is going on and true you didnt say it but another member on these boards. Basically said i was dead wrong for it.

I have tested pouring my scent from 190 down to 135-140 so i have witnessed and smelt each one. I usually have 5 testers who rate each candle. They rate the lower poured best so far yet i have more work to do, still a few more things to perfect.

Just like when i mentioned i added extra UA to my wax told me not to although i had tested this also from 0 to 2 tbs and found exactly looked the best and burned the best. I dunno sometimes i feel you guys read somthing then just post it back which is ok, but i know the risks and currently for me this is what is working. I test and read everything i can and have noticed you have to do what works for you in the end. I also have no problem changing a recipe if it doesnt work. So what is true today could be different with another scent. I just post what works for me not that someone is wrong for what works for them.

[bugtussle]

You are correct, Bren. You CAN do what works for you. I do know after making & selling candles for 5 years, in my early days I was not adding my fo hot enough. I threw out many test scents because I didn't think they were strong enough. I wasted a lot of money. Then I started adding fo to hot wax and most every scent worked. You were giving advice when I questioned your post. I just hate to see people wasting $ when they don't have to. Carole

[ChrisR]

I've been making candles for 8+ years now and have to agree with Bug that adding the FO at 135 will not allow your FO to properly bind with the wax. I've tried adding my FO at just about every temp. there is over the years, to many, many different types of waxes and right around 180 is the perfect temp. Stating that adding it at a high temp. will burn off or evaporate the FO is a complete falsehood!!!

I don't know you from a bag of beans so I could care less about who is or is not picking on you. I personally responded to this thread because of the incorrect information you gave.

[Flowers]

Swamp, I bought the same kit several months ago. It was my first attempt at container candles. I had the same issues that you are having. I finally got a great hot and cold throw by doing the following: increased the fo from 1 oz per pound to 1.5 oz per pound, started using LX wicks, and let candles cure for at least 5 days. Other than that I followed the company's directions. These changes helped tremendously!