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Candle Making List of Categories

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Why don't you offer candle making classes more often?
Why can I see a line around my votives?
Can I microwave wax?
Why do my candles appear to have rings around them?
Ho do I use dye blocks?
Why does my wax color get so much lighter when it cools?
How do I test wax color?
How do I select the proper size hurricane mold insert?
How do I get the insert out of my finished hurricane candle?
Why does my hurricane mold tip over in the water bath?

Why don't you offer candle making classes more often?

We find that we can fill classes about once or twice a year, and it just doesn't pay to teach half full classes. Each weekend of classes requires about 50 hours of labor (this includes many hours of preparation, setup, and cleanup). The expense of labor, materials, and electricity that classes require makes it impractical if the classes are not full. Since it is difficult to do classes during the busy season (Autumn), this leaves 2 classes a year - usually January and June.

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Why can I see a line around my votives?

When you reheat wax for the second pour the color shifts a bit. There is no way to prevent this, but if you place the votives in a tray and make both pours overflow, the seam will be on the corner and virtually invisible.

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Can I microwave wax?

I have heard of people endorsing this, but I would highly recommend not to. Temperatures in a microwave rise very rapidly and could easily bring the wax to an unsafe temperature. Remember, when wax temperature hits its flash point it WILL burst into flames - it does not require an spark or open flame.

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Why do my candles appear to have rings around them?

This is commonly called chattering. It is caused by either the pouring temperature being too low or the mold / jar being too cold. Or a combination of both. The wax is cooling as it is poured, alternately flowing and cooling up the sides of the mold. Simply increasing the pouring temperature will usually prevent this. If you normally store your molds in a cold area (garage, basement, etc...) you may need to bring them up to 60 degrees F. before using as well.

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Ho do I use dye blocks?

Just shave some off the dye block with a knife and add to your wax. Start with a small amount as it is very concentrated. Test the color, and add more as needed.

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Why does my wax color get so much lighter when it cools?

Wax is very transparent when liquid so the color reflects from deep in your melting pot. Once cooled, wax is more opaque and only reflects light from near the surface.

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How do I test wax color?

Put a small amount of wax in a floater mold and place in a freezer for 5 minutes. The results will be the color of the candle. This wax can be added back to your melting pot.

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How do I select the proper size hurricane mold insert?

Hurricane mold inserts should be selected by the following method:
1. Measure the thickness of the items to be embedded.
2. Multiply by 2
3. Subtract the result from the mold diameter.
4. The answer is the size insert that will work best. Choose the insert that is closest in size.
Example: if we have 1/4" thick embeds and a 6" mold the math is 1/4 x 2 = 1/2 then 6 - 1/2 = 5 1/2 inch insert and should choose the closest size available to this.

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How do I get the insert out of my finished hurricane candle?

Sounds like you are letting the wax cool with the insert in place. The insert must be removed from the mold long before the wax cools. Inserts are only used to hold the embeds in place long enogh for the solidifying wax to hold them in place.

The following step by step instructions should help:
1. Place the insert in the mold.
2. Put embedments around the insert.
3. Fill mold with wax.
4. Tap several times with a wooden spoon to dislodge any trapped air. Tap with flat part of spoon to prevent denting the mold.
5. Place mold in water bath (wear heavy gloves).
6. Immediately lift the insert 1/2 inch.
7. Wait one minute, then lift insert aniother 1/2 inch.
8. Repeat step 7 until the insert is completely out of the mold.
9. Allow the candle to continue cooling until its wall thickness is about 3/8 inch.
10. Remove from the water bath.
11. Cut off the surface film.
12. Pour the wax out of the mold.
13. Allow to finish cooling.
14. Remove from mold.
15. Level the top on a hot pan or griddle.
16. It's done.
This may sound a bit complex, but it is easier than it sounds.

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Why does my hurricane mold tip over in the water bath?

Because of the large volume of hurricane molds, it is common to need 2 or 3 mold weights to keep them from floating.

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