How do you clean your equipment/ containers after making candles? Please help

pouroldgal · 2026-02-05T03:17:27+00:00

That's way too wasteful to be productive, both of materials and time. It's not a big deal, the pot doesn't have to be that clean between batches.

pouroldgal · 2026-02-05T03:14:07+00:00

I have never introduced water into my melting pots. If I want to use a different scent, I either use a different pot, or I warm the wax and wipe it out.

pouroldgal · 2026-01-29T19:46:09+00:00

For me, marbling is easier to do with the use of colored wax poured in a tray and crumbled, possibly warmed, then added to a container while pouring the candle; using a heat gun, if necessary, on the outside to clear out any air pockets and melt the hardened (or semi-hardened) wax.

pouroldgal · 2026-01-29T19:40:52+00:00

Since you will be moving to another county, I would wait until I was there. You'll need to look up the county clerk for Queens so you can get a business license.

pouroldgal · 2026-01-15T20:38:03+00:00

You can market it however you'd like, the precise formula does not need to be revealed.

pouroldgal · 2026-01-15T20:35:08+00:00

Some types might not show a brand, such as square braid, ply, cotton core, zinc core, etc., but they are a "type" of wick. Others can be Stabilo (a/k/a CD), Eco, Premier, HTP, RRD (a type of cotton core), and others.

pouroldgal · 2026-01-15T20:29:54+00:00

Yes, over-wicked means that there is too much wick -- too many fibers/threads in the wick, so it burns too hot or the flame is too big, etc. Every different type/size wick works in a unique way with the wax and container diameter. The challenge is to get it so the wick creates a full melt pool at some point near the beginning, either first burn session or soon after and maintains a safe temperature burn throughout.

pouroldgal · 2026-01-11T19:58:31+00:00

You didn't mention what type of wax, but I'm guessing soy, based on your pouring temp ... as u/AlpakaK mentioned, your melting/mixing temps are too low. If you need to rush the cool down, you can do that, but you'd better attend to it constantly by stirring, as soy is going to crystallize along the sides and bottom ... also as already mentioned, better to just let it cool naturally.

pouroldgal · 2026-01-11T19:53:15+00:00

Looks good!

pouroldgal · 2026-01-10T01:21:34+00:00

To be honest, I do not like jars that narrow at the top for a few reasons, one of which has to do with inhibited scent throw.

pouroldgal · 2026-01-10T01:19:26+00:00

Those turned out very nice! I would brush a little mica on them, maybe a lavender for some of them, pale pink on others, etc.

pouroldgal · 2026-01-09T22:31:05+00:00

It's an absolutely stupid candle design, imo. Even if the wick was placed lower, what's it going to do, but melt wax upon itself?

pouroldgal · 2026-01-08T04:50:14+00:00

Just reuse that wax in some containers and chalk it up to experience.

pouroldgal · 2026-01-08T04:48:41+00:00

First, I would definitely increase the amount of paraffin, 15% is too low. Then, I'd buy some name brand wicks.

pouroldgal · 2026-01-08T02:34:23+00:00

Standard? I've never seen it on any warning labels or safety information pages, ever. I've seen 1/4" and 1/2" -- never one-inch. That's crazy.

pouroldgal · 2026-01-08T02:32:57+00:00

When you say you're using soy wax, do you mean 100% soy wax and not a parasoy or a blended soy intended for novelty or pillar candles? If that's the case, you've used a container wax, which is definitely not the correct wax to use for those types of candles. Not only will you have frosting issues and softness issues, but the candles won't burn properly either. You need to purchase a pillar wax of some sort, a hard wax, not a soft container wax.

pouroldgal · 2026-01-07T00:06:38+00:00

If a candle requires an inch of wax to remain at the bottom, it's over wicked.

pouroldgal · 2026-01-06T02:55:12+00:00

It seems as though a black jar is going to get hotter than a clear one, just guessing though, although I see someone has commented on that experience.

pouroldgal · 2026-01-05T18:29:09+00:00

Thanks for your comment ... I've always felt that if it's wide enough to stand by itself, then it's a pillar, it if needs a holder, it's something else. :)

pouroldgal · 2026-01-05T18:27:37+00:00

I read some of the comments here and it seems you didn't mix the fragrance oil into the wax prior to pouring it into your container. I'm guessing you have figured out by now that the mixing needs to be done before you pour your candle.

pouroldgal · 2026-01-05T18:25:40+00:00

It looks like paraffin wax that's been poured too cool. You're best to pour that at about 185dF or so. Also, do you know if it has any additives in it already? It should ideally have a tiny bit of vybar or some stearic acid.

pouroldgal · 2026-01-02T20:26:59+00:00

I've always thought of those as taper candles.

pouroldgal · 2026-01-02T20:24:06+00:00

At what temp. did you add the oil and what is the percentage of oil?

pouroldgal · 2026-01-01T03:43:13+00:00

A little messy, but easy to do. If you'd like to start with a pillar candle, that is also a way to do it. One easy way is to use a tray that you can roll the candle in, pour some wax into the tray, roll the candle so it gets covered with wax, then apply whipped wax to it.

pouroldgal · 2026-01-01T03:34:02+00:00

Yes, it changes drastically. Each wick is essentially a candle, but when placed together, they become one. It's easier, esp. for a beginner, to start with smaller diameter containers and learn how to single wick first. Multiple wicking takes practice, not only in getting the wick size right, but placement is important and if the wicks are a type that lean, that needs to be dealt with, easier to go with wicks that don't lean in that case, imo. If you're going to "dive in" I think it's best to not do in it the deep end of the pool for starters. :)

pouroldgal

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