smellylittlemonkeys Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 I just poured my very first candle and I am a bit excited and a little bit nervous about how it is going to turn out. Right now it is cooling.I used 16 ounces of C-3 Nature wax melted to 185F in a Presto pot (that my lovely DH made for me) and then transfered into a pour pot. It was stirred while it was cooling to 160F. I then added 1 ounce of German Chocolate Cake fragrance from LS, 1/2 tsp. of UV Inhibitor, 7 drops of Coffee/Carmel liquid dye from LS. It was stirred for 5 minutes while cooling down to 140F. It was poured into a 16 oz. apothecary jar, which was washed, air dried, and warmed in the oven. It is now cooling on a wire wrack with a box over it. I want to peek so bad, but I won't! Now the questions! Does it sound like I am off on the right foot on how and when to melt/add FO/UV?When I put in the UV I noticed some of it was not wanting to disolve. Has anyone had any problems with this? Tricks or tips to keep it from staying solid in there?I used 16 ounces of wax (or at least I think I did) but after I poured into the jar I had some left over. I believe I poured to the right location of the jar. I got my scale, put down a silicone pad to protect it from heat, tared it, put the pot on it, tared it, and then added the wax to 16 ounces. Any suggestions?I believe I need to wait 48 hours before I start testing it, right? How long does it take for it to completely cool?Any other suggestions?I REALLY appreciate this forum and the people on here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgirl Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Smellylittlemonkey... Love the name..It sounds like you are off to a very good start!!! A few things that may help you...First, With C-3, I would add the FO around 170 -175 and pour hotter. C-3 sets up better when poured around 170. IMONot sure about the UV as I do not use that..You will have more wax left over as you weighed out 16oz added 1oz FO and other additives, which now you are at 17oz+. Plus you jar won't hold the full 16oz of wax because I am sure you do not fill it to the brim..Also.. I don't think you need to wash and warm each jar.. I have never washed or warmed my jars. I have wiped a handful out when debris got in them, or hit a jar with a heat gun if they were stored in the garage and needed to be warmed to room temp real quick... If you jars are stored inside, you should be fine with them at room temp.I don't do the box thing either.. I let them cool 12hrs+ at room temp.They less steps you have to do the better IMO.. Time is $$....48 hours is good to wait to test. Some say wait a week or two.. It is all up to you.. If the scent throw is weak.. Make another candle and add more FO this time.. Keep testing and testing...Good Luck.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smellylittlemonkeys Posted May 24, 2008 Author Share Posted May 24, 2008 Okay I peeked! I looked after 2 1/2 hours and well I am sad, sad, sad! There is a round looking crack sinkish looking thing going on! Ugh!! Help...lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella1952 Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 SLM, add UV with the wax. If you choose to use other additives, such as other waxes, veggie oils, stearic acid or USA (not that I think anyone SHOULD add all of those - just wanted to cover the bases of common additives) - they should be added with the wax also.If the scent throw is weak, don't just add more the next time - without additives, C3 is only rated for 5% FO load (according to the manufacturers Technical Data Sheet) and 1 oz. pp is already a little over that.Good luck and have fun - post a photo if you can so it'll be easier for folks to help you with difficulties. Don't freak out if the candle isn't perfect the first time - it takes some practice and to get it perfect, despite what some folks might tall ya. I do allegedly different, "unorthodox" things and procedures with C3, so I'll keep quiet and let all the folks who have no problems with this wax give you a hand - wouldn't wanna confuse a poor ol' noob with TMI... or any cooking references. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LightofDawn Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 When I put in the UV I noticed some of it was not wanting to disolve. Has anyone had any problems with this? Tricks or tips to keep it from staying solid in there?I had this same problem with the UV. Here is what I do. I weigh out my wax (C3 flakes) the pour it into my presto pot and add the UV at that time. I then melt them together and transfer the amount I need into my pour pot. This allows for the UV to completely dissolve. I hope I explained that ok. Let me know if it is not clear.HTHETA: Darn Stella, your quick. Must have been posting at the same time. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smellylittlemonkeys Posted May 25, 2008 Author Share Posted May 25, 2008 Smellylittlemonkey... Love the name..It sounds like you are off to a very good start!!!A few things that may help you...First, With C-3, I would add the FO around 170 -175 and pour hotter. C-3 sets up better when poured around 170. IMOYou will have more wax left over as you weighed out 16oz added 1oz FO and other additives, which now you are at 17oz+. Plus you jar won't hold the full 16oz of wax because I am sure you do not fill it to the brim..Also.. I don't think you need to wash and warm each jar.. Good Luck..Thank you! I tried to read as much as a could before I couldn't resist the urge to pour anymore and today was the day Hmmm, I guess I had a brain toot, because that would make sense, the wax plus the 1 oz of FO, would make it more. Since I am in the testing stage I don't want to do a lot of the same FO all at once. How would you suggest doing it? I don't want to waste wax either.Next time I will try pouring a little warmer. SLM, add UV with the wax. If you choose to use other additives, such as other waxes, veggie oils, stearic acid or USA....and 1 oz. pp is already a little over that.I do allegedly different, "unorthodox" things and procedures with C3, so I'll keep quiet and let all the folks who have no problems with this wax give you a hand - wouldn't wanna confuse a poor ol' noob with TMI... or any cooking references. I did not think to do that, was not sure if it had to be added at the temp the FO was added, I will be sure to do this next time. By the way what is USA? Do you think 1 oz pp is an okay amount with this wax without the other additives?I would love to hear your "unorthodox" ways of doing things! In reference to the cooking are you replying to your fudge post?I had this same problem with the UV. Here is what I do. I weigh out my wax (C3 flakes) the pour it into my presto pot and add the UV at that time. I then melt them together and transfer the amount I need into my pour pot. This allows for the UV to completely dissolve. I hope I explained that ok. Let me know if it is not clear.HTHETA: Darn Stella, your quick. Must have been posting at the same time. LOLI guess great minds think alike! Thanks for taking the time to give your input as well, I will be sure to do this next time!I am going to try to post a picture of the candle, after I hit it with the heat gun, maybe that was not a good idea, don't know. When I just melted the top it started having a little bubbling action?? So I poked it with a skewer to release air ( I think that is right) and the way it looks in the picture is what I have now. Ugh!http://s189.photobucket.com/albums/z225/ambernricketts/Candles/?action=view¤t=firstcandle.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tootie04 Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 ummm where is the wick?? Looks good otherwise. You have to remember soy looks a little different than its paraffin neighbor.tootie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smellylittlemonkeys Posted May 25, 2008 Author Share Posted May 25, 2008 ummm where is the wick?? Looks good otherwise. You have to remember soy looks a little different than its paraffin neighbor.tootieIts wickless No really I read on here how to test them by pouring this way and then popping the wick out of the tabs, making a hole with a skewer placing the wick in, lighting it up and seeing how it burns. If it does not do well then it can be snuffed out, removed, and then you either wick up or down according to what the candle was doing with the previous wick.If this is not correct, please let me know how to test them. I just want to make sure I do everything correct to have a good smelling and of course SAFE candle!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heidijo Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 Its wickless No really I read on here how to test them by pouring this way and then popping the wick out of the tabs, making a hole with a skewer placing the wick in, lighting it up and seeing how it burns. If it does not do well then it can be snuffed out, removed, and then you either wick up or down according to what the candle was doing with the previous wick.If this is not correct, please let me know how to test them. I just want to make sure I do everything correct to have a good smelling and of course SAFE candle!!I'm not very experienced either, but seems like pouring the candle with a wick and then, ripping that wick out and replacing with another size as needed, would be easier than creating a wick hole with a skewer after the wax has hardened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smellylittlemonkeys Posted May 26, 2008 Author Share Posted May 26, 2008 I'm not very experienced either, but seems like pouring the candle with a wick and then, ripping that wick out and replacing with another size as needed, would be easier than creating a wick hole with a skewer after the wax has hardened.Who knows, maybe I did it wrong, if so someone who has more experience please tell me how YOU test. I read it on one of the posts here. I had a soy candle that I bought elsewhere and poked it with a skewer to see how easy it would be and it was suprisingly soft and when in very easy and came out with a perfect little hole. Anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunFlames Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 SLM, I test the same way. When I think I finally found the wick I want, I then pour one more tester with the wick already placed. This way you can do a true test from top to bottom. When you use the skewer the wick will fall over when it no longer has solid wax to support it. As you find the right wick for your wax you might be able to skip the skewer step. I pretty much know what wicks I like with my wax so it is now what size per FO. Sounds like you have done a good amount of reading.... you are on the right track.Happy TestingDanielle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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