Make Candles Frequently Asked Questions

“First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination.” ~Napoleon Hill~

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This section is devoted to information about make candles frequently asked questions, candle making troubleshooting, problems and solutions so that any candle maker can experience the arts and crafts of candle making with better results…in a measured way.

Candle Wick – A Candle wick is the heart of a quality product, you must have good candle wick in order for the candle to burn.

There are many different kinds of candle wicks:

• Lead wick
• Zinc core wick
• Assortment of braided wick
• Specialty wicks for tea lights, and so on…

Candle Wicks, Types, Common Uses and Properties

Flat Braid – Flat Braid Wick is used in taper and pillar candles.

This type of candle wick is designed to bend slightly when burned allowing for an even burn and a reduction of carbon (mushrooming) at the tip.

Square Braid – Square Braid cotton wick is used in the majority of beeswax candles, tapers, pillars and citronella candles.

This type of candle wick is also designed to give a slight bend at its tip when burning.

Paper Core – Paper core burns the hottest and is good for waxes that require heavy duty wicking to achieve a good melt pool.

This type of candle wick is used in container candles.

Tip: Some candle makers report these cause candles to smoke more in some applications.

Coreless Cotton – These all cotton braided wicks are designed to bend at the tip when burning, forcing the tip of the wick into the outer portion of the flame where it burns the hottest.

This causes more complete combustion, leaving less carbon (mushroom) behind and less smoking, making for a cleaner burn.

These candle wick types tend to require less trimming, and are sometimes referred to as “self trimming”.

Usually used in container candles as an alternative to cored wicks.

Hemp Core – Hemp is a strong natural fiber which makes for rigid wicks that will stand up straight while burning.

This candle wick can be used in containers, votives and pillars.

Zinc Core - Zinc core uses metal in wicks to help them stand up in candles that produce deeper melt pools.

Zinc core burns the coolest and is the most commonly used candle wick type in container candles, votives and tea lights.

Tip: This candle wick type is known to mushroom and sometimes smoke more than other types of candle wicks.

(Lead & Tin, those materials are no longer used in candles wicks in USA.)

Candle Wax, Types, Common Uses and Properties

Candle Wax – air bubbles in your poured wax?

To minimize the amount of air bubbles, slowly stir your wax as it melts and pour it slowly into your mold or container.

Tip your container slightly as you pour and continue tapping the sides of your container to encourage air bubbles to escape.

Do you find your candle is pitting?

Small pitting or pock marks in candle making is a result of:

• Too much mold release lubricant spray used
• Candle wax poured at too high a temperature

The solutions:

• Before pouring your candle wax, wipe out mold leaving only a thin film of mold release agent
• Lower wax pouring temperature by monitoring thermometer closely

Candle Wax – surface imperfections!

A pitted surface is a result of the wax being too cool by the time it’s poured.

Do you know where in the process the cooling occurred?

Was the wax heated to the right temperature?

The right temperature means the wax is melted at the safest range for that particular type of candle wax that you’re using.

Did the wax cool too quickly in your pouring pot?

If this happens you need to prepare the steps in which you produce your candles.

What steps can you do differently to make the process quicker for pouring?

Does your candle collapses on one side?

A result of inadequate relief holes around the wick as the candle cooled.

As the wax cools it contracts which makes the candle appear to pull inward,
you need to poke relief holes to allow the wick to release itself from the wax.

As the wax shrinks, it naturally should pull away from the wick instead of the outside wall of the candle.

Is your wick drowning in a pool of candle wax?

If the wick is drowning and won’t stay alight, the wick is too small.

Also make sure the dye doesn’t contains pigments which cause the wick to become clogged.

Tip: Only use dyes containing pigments when overdipping.

Does the candle burn straight down the middle?

If your candle burns straight down the middle this is a result of using a wick that is too small for the melting point of your candle wax.

Tip: Use wax with a lower melting point or use a larger wick.

Is your flame too large?

A result of a wick that is too large, aim for using a smaller wick.

Is your flame too small?

A result of a wick that is too small, aim for using a larger wick.

Do you have a smoking candle?

If your candle is smoking heavily this is a result of a wick that’s too large for your candle.

Tip: Trim candle wick.

If your candle continues to smoke after trimming the wick, you’ll want to use a smaller wick next time you make that particular candle.

Does your flame flicker and splutter?

If the flame flickers and sputters this is a result of:

• High moisture in the candle wax
• Water is either trapped in the wick (if you used a water bath)
• Water in the candle wax

Tip: Make sure the wick hole in the mold is completely sealed and make sure not to let any water from your double boiler get into the wax.

The candle isn’t burning bright?

If a candle isn’t burning bright this is a result of a few problems.

• The wick is too small
• The wick is too short
• The wick is too loose

Tip: Test a few different wick sizes to see if this makes the difference you’re looking for and record this information in your candle making journal.

Clogged wick?

Check the source of the coloring agents, this may have clogged the wick.

Tip: Make sure the wick is clean next time you make a candle.

A common mistake is not monitoring thermometers! Is the candle wax melting point is too high, aim a lower melt point next time.

How much stearin or other additives are you using?

The simple soluition is to use less next time.

Do you have cracks in your candles?

If candles have cracks in the wax, this is a result of the wax cooling too fast.

Tip: Make sure the candle cools at room temperature or in a warm water bath.

More often than not, straight cooling in a fridge or freezer causes cracking.

Does your candle have a dull surface?

To get rid of a dull surface finish, you can buff wax with a piece of cloth from a pair of old nylon stockings (or equivalent material).

Tip: Keep nylon away from an open flame!

Buffing or polishing the candle wax surface gives a candle more of a shine.

Most make candle problems can easily be avoided the next candle you pour.