Candle Making Guide: Waxes, Wicks, Fragrance Throw, Wax Pools and Common Problems
Learn the fundamentals of candle making, including wax types, wick selection, fragrance throw, wax-pool formation, tunnelling and common burning problems.
candle making
Why Should You Burn-Test a Candle Before Selling It?
A candle should be burn-tested before you give customers confident information about its burn time and performance. You cannot determine exact burn time reliably from wax weight alone because candle
Why Shouldn’t You Use Ordinary Thread or Wool as a Candle Wick?
Ordinary thread or wool may catch fire, but that does not mean it will function properly as a candle wick. Learn why candle wicks need to be specifically made for controlled burning.
Soy Wax vs Beeswax vs Paraffin Wax: What Is the Difference?
Soy wax, beeswax and paraffin wax behave differently in candles. Learn how they compare in origin, firmness, fragrance throw and candle applications.
Why Is My Scented Candle Not Giving Enough Fragrance?
A scented candle may seem weak because the wax pool is too small, the wick is not suitable, or the wax and fragrance type behave differently. Learn what to check first.
Why Does a Candle Need a Proper Wax Pool?
A proper wax pool helps a candle burn more evenly and supports better fragrance throw. Learn why an undersized melt pool can lead to tunnelling and weak scent performance.
How Do You Decide the Number of Wicks for a Candle?
The number of wicks a candle needs depends mainly on its width and how well the wicks can create a balanced melt pool across the surface.
Why Does Wick Size Matter in Candle Making?
Wick size directly affects how a candle burns. A wick that is too small can cause tunnelling, while an oversized wick can create excessive heat and melt too much wax.
What Is Cold Throw vs Hot Throw in Candles?
Cold throw is the fragrance you smell from an unlit candle, while hot throw is the aroma released while the candle burns. Learn why the difference matters when judging candle fragrance.
Why Does a Candle Tunnel in the Centre?
Candle tunnelling happens when only the wax around the wick melts while the outer wax remains solid. Learn how wick size, candle width and melt-pool formation contribute to this common problem.