Waxmelters asked:

All EZFLO & Autoshot3000 systems are designed to eliminate drips and spills if operated correctly.

LLOYD

Angelic Ventura asked:


Lately, a ton of people have showed interest in candle making. Because of this recent flocking to the  craft, candle making suppliers are under pressure to not only improve upon items commonly used, but to come up with new options that are just as viable as the traditional ones. Luckily, those who sell candle making wax have met our expectations.

Paraffin candle making wax is a classic example. As a byproduct of petroleum processing, there is no shortage of it and is therefore relatively inexpensive to get your hands on. As the petroleum distillation process continues to be improved upon, so does the quality of paraffin wax obtained. Even though it is an indirect improvement, the fact of the matter is the paraffin wax of today is of a higher quality than the paraffin wax of 20 years ago and will just continue to increase in quality as time goes on.
We can look at the much newer palm candle making wax as another example. When people figured out that you can get candle wax out of palm trees, people in countries such as  Malaysia and Indonesia cut down giant swatches of rain forest, home to many endangered species, just to plant their palm plantations.

Luckily, before the ecosystem damage went too far, the World Wide Fund for Nature stepped in and created the RSPO. The RSPO is an organization responsible for defining techniques to improve palm wax production. They also found ways that the plantation owners could still plant their palm trees and get their palm candle making wax, but without any ecosystem destruction. That is why if you purchase palm wax for your candles, you should be sure that the company you buy from is RSPO approved.

Soy candle wax has recently risen in the popular candle making wax ranks as well. Made from hydrogenated soy beans, it is both a renewable resource and actually more eco-friendly than petroleum based waxes. It does have it’s limitations, being a bit softer than paraffin wax, but it behaves exactly the same. So if you’re looking for a slightly cleaner burning candle, soy wax is what I would recommend.

There are several other candle making waxes available. You could use beeswax for your candle making, which has a natural fragrance, is sturdy and also burns very cleaning. Gel wax is another option. A lot of people like using gel wax because with the higher densities you can actually suspend decorations in the wax making for some truly beautiful candles. If you choose gel wax though, you have to realize that the higher the density you choose, the longer the wax will take to melt and the harder it will be to pour into your mold.

As you can see, there are quite a variation of candle making waxes to choose from today. In order to make the right decision for which is right for your project, you may need to do a bit of research, but once you find the perfect wax for you, the little bit of time invested is well worth the result.



NED

Walter Ballenberger asked:


Candle making can be a pleasurable or even profitable hobby, but one must be always cognizant of the fact that hot melted wax can cause many serious problems if proper precautions are not taken. Candle making safety tips include having a fire extinguisher and a box of baking soda on hand whenever you are melting wax. Use these to put out any wax fires that might start. First try to smother the fire with the baking soda. You can also use the top of your double boiler to smother a wax fire. You’ll need to have a double boiler for melting the wax, so it will be available. Don’t ever try to put out a wax fire with water, as the wax can burst and explode and burn the skin. Also don’t ever let your wax temperature exceed 280 degrees F (138 degrees C).

Other Candle Making Tips- Keep Kids and Pets Away

With the possibility looming of a wax fire as described above, it should be obvious that children and pets should be kept away from any hot wax. Even when the wax has been poured into a mold caution should be exercised. If the mold happens to be aluminum it can get very hot and burn the skin. Don’t ever heat wax or start to heat wax by putting it in a microwave oven. Heat can quickly build up inside the wax and cause it to explode. In any case melting wax should never be left unattended and you will need to have a wax thermometer to monitor the temperature of your wax at all times. Be careful not to let your wax get onto your heating element as it could very possibly ignite and cause a fire.

Other Precautions

You will need to have a good metal pouring pot to pour your wax into molds. Be sure to use one that can withstand high temperatures and has a handle and spout. Be sure to store your wax away from heat in a cool and dry place. If somehow melted wax does come in contact with the skin, run cold water over the area. This will cool the wax and make it solidify such that it can be pulled off the skin. You will most likely need to treat the affected skin area as you would treat a burn. Don’t allow water to drip into hot wax as it can explode and fly onto your skin and cause burns. If the exploding hot wax were to get into your eyes, it is obvious that very serious problems could result, so this tip is extremely important. Also, be sure to use only dyes and fragrances that have been designed specifically for candle making. Lastly, don’t ever pour melted wax down a drain.

Although candle making has its dangers due to the need to handle hot melted wax, most of the problems mentioned above can be easily avoided if you are aware of the dangers of hot wax and use common sense when making candles. If you have the right equipment and are prepared and consider the above candle making tips, your projects will be executed smoothly and serious problems will be avoided.



ROLANDO

wicked_redhead3 asked:


I’m just wondering what is the best molds for making candles.
metal, plastic, rubber ect…

JAMAR

Holly M. Jordan asked:


Recently, candle making has become so popular that many people renewed their interest for it. Browsing online would reveal a number of sites offering various candle making tips and techniques. True enough, candle making has reinvented itself and became a thriving industry. Proof of which is the number of interested people and craft stores offering raw materials for said activity.

Through the years, candle making has ceased to become just a simple hobby. For some people, it is a great way to earn extra money. Some small businesses rely on candles as their way of attracting the large chunk of the existing market and with the help of candle making tips and techniques, every person who has a knack for it can do it themselves.

Wax preparation is basically the most important part of the candle making process. It can be considered as the core, if not the ‘break or make’ aspect of said process. As part of our candle making tips and techniques, it is advisable to go through the preparation method with caution and ease. Kindly learn the instructions and try to do it well. To melt your wax, it is better to do it using a double boiler. Since waxes are so easy to burn, melting it under direct fire is not a wise alternative. For safety purposes, it is always better to avail and use a double boiler in melting your wax mixture or base.

Placing the wick can be very tricky. With your wax mixture being slowly poured into the container, you have to keep your wick straight. Others opt to use a pencil in doing this. Some, meanwhile, decide to use containers with embedded wicks. Regardless of your chosen technique, it always pays to do this process with caution and safety.

Candle setting is also part of the candle making tips and techniques list. After pouring the wax mixture, it is essential that you let your candles cool first. A requirement of four to six hours is normally followed in terms of setting and cooling finished candles. On the other hand, you can still cool your finished products by simply placing them inside the freezer for one hour or less.

For starters, you may want to apply some sort of coating into your molds or containers. This will help you in easily removing your candles from their molding sets. You can use oil or cooking spray as coating. More so, while others tend to try other candle making tips and techniques, it is best to stick with the basics and gradually perfect them as time passes.



SHELBY

Feather asked:


He said i said he didn’t have to but come on 5yrs, at least light some candles, make me dinner… Something!!! Why did this happen?

DIEGO

Holly M. Jordan asked:


Many people agree that soy candles are the best types of candles to work with. In fact, as compared to other types of candles, soy wax candle making is regarded as the easiest. Basically, soy candles are manufactured by means of combining fragrance, dye and wax. Meaning, you do not need to become an expert just to produce your own soy candles.

As compared to candles made of paraffin, soy wax candle making proves to be low-maintenance. For one thing, clean-up is a breeze. You do not have to worry over clog dishwashers or basins. Second, materials are easy to get and they are not costly or too expensive. Money-wise, soy candles are in-demand and are very easy to make.

In making soy candles, all you need is one pound of wax, an ounce of fragrance oil, wax dye, cotton wick and one Mason jar. Remember that soy wax comes in two forms, which is in flake and in block. Comparatively, it is suggested that you use the block soy wax in making your first batch.

Soy wax candle making also bears a number of secrets and must-haves. For example, you have to learn how to create the right scent or fragrance. Try combining one or two known scents for a more personalized touch. It is also important to buy sets of fragrances that are compatible with your base, which is soy wax.

Remember to use wax dyes in soy wax candle making. This item comes in three forms namely block, powder or liquid. Use the one that is most appropriate. Choose one that will best complement your work. Take note of possible candle wicks. For soy candles, what works best are thicker wicks or pre-tabbed wicks. It is also important to take note of candle size and diameter. For large soy candles, the best choice would be thicker wicks. As for small soy candles, it is best to choose corresponding small-sized wicks.

Candle containers are a must in soy wax candle making. There are basically different types of containers. You can choose mason jars, glass jars even plastic. However, it is always necessary to keep all containers clean. Each container should be dry and kept properly. They should be washed and dust-free.

In making your soy candles, make sure to cook or melt your wax at medium heat. Once everything has melted, try adding the oil and stir. You can then proceed by simply adding color or dye. After which, you can pour the mixture into the container and let it set for a couple of minutes.



SEBASTIAN

tads6 asked:


I make a mini bundt cake candle and it burned REALLY fast. I think I had the wrong size wick. What’s rule of thumb?

GERARD

Geaux Tigers! asked:


I know it’s strange, but I remember these cool Christmas decorations from when I was a kid. They were made from a light weight wood, had little fans, and candles. The heat from the candles made the fans spin. I described it to someone and they said it was some sort of German decoration. Does anyone know the name of what I’m talking about? And maybe a place where I can buy one?

JAMIE