Candle Sweating?

[BrittyBea]

It was pretty hot today. It was around 92 today and the room I use to make candles doesn't have great AC. The thermometer on the wall says its about 78-80 in the room.

2 of my candles have "sweat" on top around the edges. Is this FO seeping up or is it really the tops melting a tad?

[scifichik]

How much FO per pound did you use? It looks like you might want to back off just a tad on the next batch. Looks like FO seepage to me in the photos.

[EccoLights]

It gets mighty warm at our market also here but we don't see this happen often... Think it is a bit to much FO IMO, how much FO did you use??

[lindanelson]

Looks like too much fo to me also.

[BrittyBea]

Hmmm...if it's too much FO, is it possible to only happen to 2 of the candles?

I used 1oz per pound.

Everything came from NG.

Edited June 9, 2010 by BrittyBea

[Candybee]

Are you weighing the oil on a scale or using a measuring cup/spoon for volume? Always weigh you oils when measuring 1 oz. Some oils are heavier than others so yes it can definitely make a difference.

[BrittyBea]

Are you weighing the oil on a scale or using a measuring cup/spoon for volume? Always weigh you oils when measuring 1 oz. Some oils are heavier than others so yes it can definitely make a difference.

I didn't weigh them out b/c when I called NG to ask something about the jars, I also asked about the FO and she said that they weigh it out before putting them into the bottle. Maybe next time I'll weigh it out myself.

What do you guys put the FO in to weigh it? Do you think those tiny prep bowls (little bowls that hold salt, pepper, sugar for cooking)

could be used? My scale has it where I can place the container on 1st and then it'll reset back to zero so I can weigh out liquids.

Also, can the 2 candle with seepage still be tested? One more thing, I am starting a test on another candle and when lit, I can "see through" the very top of the wax through the container. Is it just thinned out from have to use the heat gun?

[jonsie]

Hmmm...if it's too much FO, is it possible to only happen to 2 of the candles?

I used 1oz per pound.

How many candles did you make from each 1 lb of wax using the 1 oz of FO? And you are saying only one candle from each batch would sweat?

Makes me wonder if the sweating candle was either the last candle poured (or the first) in the batch and the FO had either collected at the bottom of the pour pot (or risen to the top). So if you aren't continuously stirring between pours then I'd suggest to give that a try.

I didn't weigh them out b/c when I called NG to ask something about the jars, I also asked about the FO and she said that they weigh it out before putting them into the bottle. Maybe next time I'll weigh it out myself.

So you are pouring directly from the 1 oz sample bottles? Those should be accurate enough. But that size is the most expensive way to use FO. And you may already know that but it needed to be said

What do you guys put the FO in to weigh it? Do you think those tiny prep bowls (little bowls that hold salt, pepper, sugar for cooking)

could be used? My scale has it where I can place the container on 1st and then it'll reset back to zero so I can weigh out liquids.

I use those little prep bowls, but it's all your personal preference. I still feel like I'm improving my "lab" every day and I might find something better tomorrow. But I prefer to use anything glass since it is non-porous.

And that is the kind of scale I have and how I do it.

Also, can the 2 candle with seepage still be tested? One more thing, I am starting a test on another candle and when lit, I can "see through" the very top of the wax through the container. Is it just thinned out from have to use the heat gun?

I'm not sure about testing the sweaty ones. Someone else can give some good advice. And I'm not sure what you mean about the thinned out wax?

[BrittyBea]

How many candles did you make from each 1 lb of wax using the 1 oz of FO? And you are saying only one candle from each batch would sweat?

Makes me wonder if the sweating candle was either the last candle poured (or the first) in the batch and the FO had either collected at the bottom of the pour pot (or risen to the top). So if you aren't continuously stirring between pours then I'd suggest to give that a try.

Out of the 1lb of wax, I made 3 candles using 6.5oz hex jars and yup, one from each sweated. I do believe out of my green candles, that the 1st one I poured is the one that sweated. But out of the red ones, i'm not sure.

So you are pouring directly from the 1 oz sample bottles? Those should be accurate enough. But that size is the most expensive way to use FO. And you may already know that but it needed to be said

LOL I didn't buy them separately. They came in a kit, but I guess you're saying to buy them in higher ounces rather than 1 at a time?

And I'm not sure what you mean about the thinned out wax?

I tried to take a picture of it but it wasn't showing it. It's like the very top part of the candle is thin. When it is lit, from the outside of the glass I can see light shining through. I wasn't sure if that was from the heat gun or what.

[jonsie]

...I guess you're saying to buy them in higher ounces rather than 1 at a time?

That's right. Since you are just getting started and getting an idea of what fragrances you like, no harm in using the 1 oz'ers. But, yup, as you make more batches of a scent you like, you save a lot of money by purchasing in the larger volumes.

"And I'm not sure what you mean about the thinned out wax?"

I tried to take a picture of it but it wasn't showing it. It's like the very top part of the candle is thin. When it is lit, from the outside of the glass I can see light shining through. I wasn't sure if that was from the heat gun or what.

I think I know what you mean... is it like a thin layer of residue on the inside of the glass container, right above the top of the candle? If so, that could either be from moving the candle while the wax was still in liquid state (or splash from the heat gun), or maybe as the candle cooled down, it shrunk down to a slightly smaller height, leaving the thin wax layer on the glass. Lol, some of the veterans here could give you better ideas because those are only guesses from me!

[Tribalvixen]

To weigh the FO I use the small votive glasses. I have had candles sweat when it was really hot here (around 40C) last summer and I have also had it on some fo but not others ..weird huh. Make sure you really stir the fo in. I would have saved myself alot of frustration if i had known that I needed to really stir for a couple of minutes not just the fo but the colour too. (that wasnt on the instructions that I got with my kit).

Tammy

[BrittyBea]

I think I know what you mean... is it like a thin layer of residue on the inside of the glass container, right above the top of the candle? If so, that could either be from moving the candle while the wax was still in liquid state (or splash from the heat gun), or maybe as the candle cooled down, it shrunk down to a slightly smaller height, leaving the thin wax layer on the glass. Lol, some of the veterans here could give you better ideas because those are only guesses from me!

You know what?! That may be it! I could have accidentally knocked it around, but it very well could be from using the heat gun because I did (without realizing it until it was already melted) move the gun around and the wax was moving around. LOL I guess i'll just hold it straight down from now on.

Thanks, all of you, for all the advice!