Features of a properly made candle

The quality of a candle depends on the materials, the production tools and the whole production process. Here we will discuss the main criteria for determining whether a candle has manufacturing defects and features that are not considered a manufacturing defect.

1. The candle has a manufacturing recipe and has been tested by the manufacturer

Experienced candle manufacturrs test the first units of candles, i. y. fill in the candle production sheet, where he / she indicates from which materials, in what quantities, concentrations the raw materials were added, as well as all the temperatures that were at a certain stage of candle production (ambient temperature, wax melting, fragrance, wax pouring temperatures, etc.). This way, the manufacturer knows exactly the recipe for his candle and if the candle burns incorrectly, he can change one criterion to try to correct the burning or appearance of the candle. During candle testing, the manufacturer checks how the candle burns at various stages of its burning, i. y. at its beginning, middle and end, whether it is safe when burning at long intervals as it goes out at the end. Such a test sheet is sufficient for the manufacturer to have proof that the candle is safe to gift and sell. If the candle burns obviously incorrectly, you can contact the manufacturer to ask if the candle has been tested.

2. A scented candle for sale should have necessary (CLP (if required) & Safety) labels

In most cases, responsible manufacturers of scented candles, who have really delved into the requirements for the production of candles, make sure that their candles are properly labeled before they are sold or donated. Such a requirement arises from the use of fragrance or essential oils because, in general, it is a concentrated substance diluted in a non-hazardous base - wax. The label is usually located at the bottom of side of the candle container, it may contain various warning signs and explanations of allergens and other hazards, and may include instructions for caring for the candle. If there is no labeling, the candle itself will not necessarily be of poor quality, it will simply not meet the labeling requirements for the product, some candles may have only safety label.

3. The wick burns correctly

• the wick is cut to a length suitable for forming a regular flame (with cotton wick about 5 mm, wooden wick about 3 mm),
• the flame is not dangerously long, the wick is not too short and barely burning,
• the wick does not smoke (provided that the wick was trimmed in accordance with the instructions, the wick is maintained),
• the wick is not drowned in wax (unless burned for too long, eg for more than 4 hours in a standard 70 mm diameter vessel),
• the wick is centered (otherwise it heats the wax unevenly and one side of the vessel is dangerously heated).
• the wick is not too small and has melted a full wax pool within the specified recommended burning time (after ~3rd burn it must melt completely to the sides in 4 hours in a standard 70 mm diameter glass),
• the wick is not too large when melted through a deep wax pool within the specified recommended burning time (in a standard 70 mm diameter glass, the melted wax pool is deeper than ~ 15 mm in 4 hours). Too large a wick has other disadvantages: it inhibits the spread of the scent of the candle, because the wax is heated too much, the smell is like burning; the wick does not manage to shorten on its own and excessive wick "mushroom" is formed, which needs to be constantly cut, otherwise the wick will start to smoke.

4. A burning candle smells nice

Smell is a very individual thing, not everyone can burn scented candles for allergies, small children or animals at home and prefer unscented candles. However, if the candle is fragrant, it means the use of fragrance (synthesized, some of which may also contain essential oils) or essential oils (neat or special blends). Their quality and concentration will determine the fragrance hot and cold throw. The same concentration of fragrance oils used in the wax will give a stronger scent throw than the essential oils. The latter will be more subtle, gentler. Because vegetable wax tends to attenuate fragrance (unlike paraffin wax), the fragrance in the candle is sometimes revealed only 2-3 weeks after it is made, when the wax and odor molecules finally merge. When burning a candle, the fragrance should be pleasant, not burning or other unusual fragrance. When the candle is inflated, the fragrance throw usually intensifies until the wax solidifies again.

5. The candle vessel is suitable for heating

Candle jars can have many variations. The most important criterion would be its ability to withstand continuous slow heating. New, straight-walled, thicker-bottomed vessels are the safest. Most often it will be tempered glass jars, cans of solid structure (without connecting lines), new concrete masses, high temperature fired ceramic jars and so on. Very old glass, ceramic jars can be too weak and dangerous to crack. An irregularly shaped container, such as narrowing or widening, will have an imperfect combustion process, as the wick will be chosen in a compromised size and will not be ideal for burning.

6. Surface defects that are aesthetic and do not affect the burning quality of the candle

• Candle wax is contracted from the sides of the clear vessel. This is determined by the type of wax. Vegetable wax usually shrinks a little, when it has no additives to help it adhere well to the walls of the container. This has nothing to do with the burning quality of the candle. Such an aesthetic defect can occur immediately after the candle is made or only after a week / month of exposure to a cool environment. If the wax tends to contract from the walls of the vessel, but has all the other good qualities, it is recommended to make the candle in colored, frosted glass or tins.
• The wax of the candle is cracked on the surface. This aesthetic defect is due to the very soft vegetable wax used and does not affect the quality of the candle. Cracks occur when the candle is exposed to a cold environment.
• The surface of the candle is uneven, rough, and it happens after each burning. This is related to the type of candle and the manufacturing process (temperature during the addition of the scent and pouring of the candle, pouring when the wax is too cold, etc.) and the reaction of the wax to some fragrances or to a certain fragrance concentration in the wax. Such an uneven surface is usually formed by a very soft vegetable wax, but the manufacturers choose it for a very good fragrances throw, slow burning features. If the candle burns properly when lit, it is only considered as a property of vegetable wax.
• The surface of the candle at the edges of the can looks as if it has been affected by corrosion. This may be the reaction of vanillin in the fragrance with the metal from which the container is made. This defect occurs after a long time when the candle is not burned. It is recommended to make vanillin-containing scented candles in glass jars.

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