First Votives...is this normal??

[number2of7]

I posted this in the general discussion, but was told I should post it here because of the wax I use.

I just got through pouring my first votives; however, after about two hours of cooling, some have started to crack around the center right where it starts to dip.

I haven't yet done the repour, but wanted to see if this part of the process was normal

If not, how can I correct it?

I used KY Parasoy Tart/Votive Wax, 9% FO, no dye, heated to 180, and poured at 175.

[OverSoyed]

Interesting!

I've never had it sink like that before, but recently did have one spider a little. I popped a few in the freezer because they wouldn't release from the votive mold, but it was only 1 votive, not all of them. I think it was because it was too close to the freezer fan itself.

Nothing a heat gun couldn't handle.

[number2of7]

Should I heat gun the cracked ones before doing my repour? It looks like it's cracked a pretty good ways down. I'm thinking if I don't, I'll end up with a votive that looks like a flat head nail when I take it out of the mold.

[number2of7]

Would the fact that these are brand new molds have anything to do with it? Just thought I'd ask....

[OverSoyed]

It's a possibility.

Why anytime happens when you pour is up to the stars. You are working with a material that sometimes does whatever it wants to do.

New molds can do that I suppose. You can get weird results too if there are thin layers of wax left in the molds.

If it's just one, try a heat gun, if its the whole batch (not sure how many you made), perhaps remelt and try again.

Also try heating your molds alittle before pouring.

[number2of7]

Thanks for your help! I also contacted Vickey over at KY....she told me to also try pouring cooler. I guess I'll give that a whirl too. I only poured four of them, so no big worries.

Thanks again!

[OverSoyed]

I've been pouring around 160-165, and normally all goes well.

[bunkie68]

I've had that happen with the Millcreek pillar/votive wax (palm/coconut blend). I pour it at around 155, and it cracks right there in the middle just about every blessed time. Makes great tarts, but sucks rocks for votives. I use GL 1285 now (parasoy blend), and pour it at 195, and it works like a charm. It sinks a bit in the middle and I do a repour, but no cracks or bubbles or anything like that. I think it depends on whether the day ends in Y and what phase the moon is in and whether or not the candle fairies are in a good mood or a mischievous one that day. LOL

[number2of7]

I think it depends on whether the day ends in Y and what phase the moon is in and whether or not the candle fairies are in a good mood or a mischievous one that day. LOL

:laugh2: Amen to that!!!

Well, Vickey over at KY said to try pouring cooler next time I guess I'll try it, but anything I've read on votives refers to pouring at a higher temp, not lower.

Anyway, I'll try to pour some tomorrow and see how it goes.

[TraciS]

In my experience parasoy has thrown me those circle cracks too. The lower temp helps but a repour has always been necessary to make them look they way I want them to.

I have tried the heat gun and then repour and just repour and the results have been the same so I skip the heat gun. Heat gun alone has never been enough on a votive for me unless you like little shrunken votives that look like they didn't get filled enough.

Good luck!

[number2of7]

Well, all but one came out nicely after the repour.

I'll be pouring some later this evening....gonna try it cooler to see how it goes.

They're such cute little fellas! I sorta did things backwards...I started with containers first, then decided to do votives. Guess it makes these seem a bit easier....

[ChrisR]

I use a parasoy blend also and always pour hot. I wait about 1-1/2 hours, poke it with a chopstick and do my repour. Cooling a bit fast will sometimes cause the cracks you experienced and occasionally those cracks may be air pockets. New molds/old molds have nothing to do with it, it's the nature of a parasoy cooling quickly.

[number2of7]

I was just impressed that I didn't overfill them the first time.

I'll definitely try to cool them slower next time too....thanks for all the help!!

[heidijo]

Try covering them with a cardboard box so they cool slower. It prevents cracks for me although I use a different wax.

[cozyaromas]

I use Ecosoya PB for my votives and I do my initial pour at 155, if I get a crack like that in the middle I just poke relief pours around and do a second pour 10 degrees hotter and usually never have a problem with the burn plus my tops turn out perfect as well.