WAHM Forums

I'm new to the candle making business. I really enjoy it but then I get frustrated because I keep getting "caves" in my candles. Is there anything you can do to try to prevent this from happening?

It's probably because your wicks aren't thick enough. It could also be the size of your candle, you may need two wicks. I find that any candle bigger than 6oz needs two wicks (I work with soy wax, and in my opinion it definitely needs two wicks lol).

Hope that helps!

I'm not for sure what you are talking about. I was thinking after the candles are poured, but from the last reply maybe you are talking about when they are being burned?

If it's right after they are poured, you could be pouring them too hot. Let the wax cool a bit so you don't have the big dip around the wick (and the wax coming up around the wick itself). Also if you take a heat gun (or the cheap way - a hair dryer) to the candle after it's cooled, you can smooth out your tops a bit.

But if you are talking about the candle tunneling while it burns, the above recommendation is dead on. Well almost......we use only one wick for our 8oz and 12oz candles because they are tall and skinny. The number of wicks you need are going to depend on the size of the opening of the jar. smileys/smiley2.gif

Oh wow. Those are very interesting tips. Thanks so much. I'll have to try that and see if I have better luck.

And yes, I was talking about after I pour the wax and it starts to cool. I always get a cave-in around my wick.

Hello E1.

I have been reading this thread and I have just experienced the same issue;the dimpling of the wax when cooled and the tunneling when burning. I used a hair dryer to smooth out the tops. I then decided to try to insert a second wick by inserting a skewer to make a hole and then the wick (without the tab). It worked and the candle burned smoothly. This was a test and I would not sell or give my candles away this way. But, now Iknow how to make my future candles that have a wider mouth and more wax.

Hope this is of help! http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley14.gif

MEP

"Well almost......we use only one wick for our 8oz and 12oz candles because they are tall and skinny. The number of wicks you need are going to depend on the size of the opening of the jar"

- Yeah, I guess I should have mentioned that it depended on how wide the candle is. You're right, if it's a taller and thinner candle, one wick will do the trick.

The "caves" you mention are when the candle wax is cooling and its sinking in the center and it will also distort the placement of the wick if not corrected.. there is also a huge air pocket thats created as that "cave" is formed and its pretty normal especially when dealing with higher temp waxes.. so just let the candle cool to the point that the cave is formed and take a pencil or something like it and poke 2 holes on either side of the wick and it will release the air and allow you to pull the wick back up and into place.. just be sure you dont pull to much and totally pull it out of the wax. If the candle cools and you find the cave is still there.. most times it will be mind you.. simply do a repour. The fastest means for a repour is to just save a few ounces from the initial pour and use it to "top" off the candle.. its much easier than trying to use a heat gun or blow dryer across the top which can actually be hazardous in a lot of ways and using a heat gun or blow dryer will also cause the candle to lose some of its fragrance across the top. This all comes from over 10 yrs of experience and trial and error.. lol so if you are unclear just ask and i ll do my best to help you out! http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif

Thanks so much Mishkia. I really appreciate your tips. I will remember you if I run into other problems. http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley1.gif

Thanks Mishkia from me as well. I am new at this and any help I can get is greatfully appreciated! http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley14.gif

MEP

Thanks from me to as Im new to this also http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley32.gif

There are a couple of things you can do to prevent this/fix this. Often as others have said, this is caused from the candles being poured too hot. You can try lowering your pour temp to see if that helps. You can also try covering your candles with a box, or placing them in a cooler to cool down. This slows down the cooling process and often reduces the air pockets. You can also poke relief holes after the wax sets up and do a secound pour. If this is just minimal, there is always the heat gun to help fix minor imperfections.smileys/smiley1.gif

I have found that caves are most often caused because you poured your wax too hot. You have to wait till it is almost setting up, at the phase where it starts to get a skin across the top, that is when you want to pour it, if you have small caves after that, just hit the top with a heat gun. I have had no caves since I started cooling the wax more....


Anne