Super new at this... what am I doing wrong!!

[Leebie]

Just starting making candles. I would love to do container candles and tarts. This is the second batch I have tried. Did one 8oz container candle in a mason jar. I also made a few tarts. I am using 100% soy wax (milinium) and FO from NG. I didn't have a digital scale yet so I just used 4 cups of wax and 1oz of FO. I heated to 180 and adding dye and FO. Cooled to 115 and poured. I let them cure for 22 hours and then tried using them. Candle burned well. But I can't not smell the candle or tarts at all. Like even if I'm standing right next to it. What am I doing wrong... please help.

Thanks

[marcuset]

Coming from a tart making perspective, I let mine cure a good 4-5 days before I test them. There's a few oils I've used that even need a couple weeks before they fully "blossom".

[jackbenimble]

Same as previous poster. You need to letmyour candle/tarts cure for 5-7 days. Maybe even 2 weeks before you try them again.

[LadyJo]

you need to get a scale and find out how much 4 cups of wax weighs !

[Jaime811]

1 cup of wax weighs 135g (approx)

4 cups of wax weighs 540g (approx)

540g = 19oz

[EricofAZ]

You might get more help on the vegetable wax forum. I'm not a big soy person, but from what I did try, I would expect very little hot throw with soy that is less than 1 ounce of FO per pound of wax. Basically, you're going kinda light on the FO. Also, I have not had good results from NG. I think a stronger FO and more of it will make things start to come alive for you. And always weigh, don't measure by volume.

[Lorelei]

I use 100% soy and have had great results with most all NG oils. They are one of our favorite suppliers. The amount of FO you used is really low for that much wax. You may never get good throw from those candles even if they sit and "cure" for a few weeks.

What FO's are you trying?

You also didn't say what wick, which makes a HUGE difference.

I urge you to get a scale, we weigh everything around here. On tarts we usually add about 7% FO.

We typically pour a little lower than 115.

Hope this helps!

[marcuset]

You will greatly appreciate your digital scale when you get one - I don't pour without it. Welcome to the addiction!

[Ravens]

Just my opinion, but please use a scale; weigh everything.

1oz of FO in 19oz of soy wax may not be enough. I gave up on soy a loooong time ago. I don't have the patience to wait a week or longer to test. Paraffin has always worked best for me. I don't use as much FO and the HT is decidedly better - but this is my experience - yours and others may be totally different.

Also, you mention that you poured a candle but cannot smell it. Again, you may need to give it a week or longer to cure. What type of wick did you use? Finally, remember that anything you add to your wax may change the performance and hence the end result; and as others have suggested, check out the vegetable wax forum. HTH

[Sharon in KY]

When I first started I did not have a scale and if just making for yourself then why bother. I have found that 18-20 oz liquid soy wax works well with 1.5 oz of FO. So add 1/2 oz more and see how that does.