Discovering that your tried and true candle-making methods suddenly aren't working can be frustrating. You may have checked your notes and made sure nothing has changed with your pour temperatures or fragrance load, yet your candles are cracking. The culprit? Cold weather.
During the cooler months, there can be a significant temperature difference between daytime and night-time, which can affect candles poured during the day, particularly those made with natural soy wax. So, what can you do to ensure your candles still turn out great?
First, try heating up your jars before pouring by using a heat gun or warming them in the oven at 70 degrees Celsius. This will reduce the temperature difference between the wax and the jars and prevent the wax from setting too quickly. Additionally, it's crucial to control the room temperature when making candles in colder weather. Keep the room at a comfortable 22-25 degrees Celsius by turning on the heater for at least an hour before pouring.
Choosing a candle wax specifically designed for cooler weather, such as the A05 Coco Soy or M12 Ultimate Wax, can also make a significant difference. These waxes are softer and provide better adhesion in cooler climates.
Avoid placing candles in areas with drafts, as this can cause issues like frosting, sinkholes, and cracking around the wick. Increasing the pour temperature can also help minimize air bubbles and prevent cracking or caving.
Glass candle jars can get extremely cold in cooler months, so it's important to consider where you store your candle jars. You may want to move them indoors to bring them to room temperature before pouring.
To minimize frosting, try protecting your candles from the cold by laying them on a warm towel instead of a cold bench or placing them in a cardboard box overnight. The goal is to keep the temperature as stable as possible to avoid sudden drops in temperature.
In this article, we explore common issues that can occur when making candles in cold weather and provide some simple steps to fix them for a high-quality final product.
If your candle surface has cracked, you can repair it by filling the holes with a small amount of wax, allowing it to set, and then using a heat gun or hair dryer on low to even out the tops.
Wet spots can also be a common issue in colder months. To fix them, use a heat gun to remelt the wax and release any air bubbles. Once the wax has reset, the wet spots should disappear.
If you encounter small stubborn holes on the surface, fill them with bits of scented wax and use a heat gun again to even out the surface.
When choosing fragrances for candles to burn indoors in winter, it's important to keep in mind that the rooms will likely be warm and doors and windows will be closed. So, choose subtle fragrances that are not too overpowering. Luxury Candle Supplies offers some delicious winter scents that work well with any All Seasons Wax product.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your candles turn out great even in colder weather. If you find this content helpful, please share it with your friends and family who may be interested in candle making. Thank you for reading and supporting our candle making guides at Original Stag.