** Disclaimer: This is all from our 30+ years of knowledge and experience. Everyone should do their own research and testing.

1. 1. When selling candles outside under the canopy what can stop them from melting?

• - Fans are the best way to keep the air moving and will attract customers on hot days!

1. 2. How do I prevent the wax from melting only in the center of the candle?

• - Check your fragrance oil load and wick sizing. Usually tunneling is caused by too much fragrance oil or too cool of a wick.

1. 3. How do I determine what size wick to use to what size jar?

• - Use our wick sizing chart to get a good idea of what size would work for your jar and wax. Test each fragrance oil as some fragrances burn harder than others. 

1. 4. Best ways to do wick testing?

• - Filling your jars halfway so you don’t waste wax and test each different fragrance oil. Make sure to label and take notes on each test burn. 

1. 5. Also, are heat and pouring temps REALLY all that important? Can’t we just get a rough temperature range?

• - Yes and no, pouring temperature can really affect the tops of candles especially with plant based waxes. Using paraffin waxes pouring temperature doesn't affect the finish as much. The most important thing is to make sure the wax is hot enough when adding your fragrance oil so they properly bond together. 

1. 6. How do you take an accurate temperature reading of wax? I have a digital thermometer and so do I stick it in the hot wax for 10 seconds and then use whatever it reads? How long do you leave the thermometer in before you take the reading.

• - Once the thermometer stops fluctuating the temperature should be accurate. This varies by brand. 

1. 7. Talk about failure rates too. Candle making is very discouraging. I’ve had like a 8% success rate.

• - While candle making can seem like a lot of failures they are more learning opportunities. Wax can always be remelted and retested. Once you get in the baseline of your candle line it will come much easier.

1. 8. I had to change wax last year due to it being discontinued and now when I pour candles they get a sink hole in the middle as they cool

• - Try varying your pouring temperature by 10 degrees.

1. 9. How big should a flame be? I’ve been told 1/4”, but candles I bought from the big corpus are 1/2” sometimes. I’m new to candle making and trying to figure out the size of wick for each different sized container.

• - It varies by candle a bit but ½” is a good place to be with medium size candles. Smaller candles like votives you’d want a smaller flame and double or triple wicked candles you would also want a smaller flame. 

1. 10. Is soy or coconut/soy more clean burning? Also, is paraffin wax really bad for you? What is in the toxic candles that everyone talks about?

• - Soy and coconut burn very similar. There have been many studies with no conclusive results that paraffin is worse than soy wax. Anything burning will cause flumes. Some of the “toxic candles” people talk about are the fragrance oil and bad waxes that can be produced overseas not following USA regulations.  

1. 11. Is it safe to make candles in teacups, old metal candy dishes etc? Things that you’d find at a second-hand store? This seems to be a trend right now — getting old dishes and glass dishes, cups whatever will hold wax and making candles in them. Is this safe to sell?

• - Yes! Second hand dishes are great to have a second life as candles. Anything you feel comfortable pouring boiling hot water into could be used as a candle container. The trickiest part of these container is wicking size.

1. 12. How to prevent cracking on top of the candle after you pour?

• - This is most likely caused by a candle cooling too quickly. Make sure there are no air vents or fans near the candles. You can also put a box over top to slow down the cooling process.

1. 13. How to test multiple scents without wasting a-lot of money?

• - Start with a wick that you know works that jar and wax then adjust up or down based on the burn. Pour your jars only halfway to not waste wax or fragrance oil. 

1. 14. How long to cure during the testing phase before doing a burn test . We use coconut soy wax if that makes a difference?

• - Paraffin wax and blend can be tested in 24 hours. Soy wax should be cured for 2 weeks. Coconut soy blends can be burned in 24 hours but you will have better results in 1-2 weeks.

1.  15. Do we need separate pouring pitchers for every scent?

• - If it makes your process easier you definitely can! It is not necessary though you can wipe out each pouring pitcher with a paper towel when the wax is hot. 

1.  16. How do you make sure your wicks are straight?

• - You can use a straw by inserting your wick into it to help stabilize it while you place it in the jar. Then use a wick bar to hold it centered while cooling.

1. 17. What is the purpose of adding stearic acid or beeswax to the wax?

• - To hard the wax and increase burn time.

1. 18. Can essential oils be used as fragrance oil?

• - We don’t suggest it since the flashpoints are low and many essential oils can be thicker and clog wicks. 

1. 19. I keep hearing about crisco, can you explain?

• - Crisco helps to create a smoother burn similar to adding coconut oil. If you have a harder wax or a hard burning fragrance oil this will help to create an easier burn.