Q&A
|
How do I learn to make really nice gel candles (and sell them) ?
The very best way to get on the fast track to making and selling you gel candles is to buy the book "Gel Candles - How To Make & Market Gel Candles That Sell Like Wildfire" by Lynn A Thomas. This book will help you not only learn the basics of making Gel Candles, but it will also teach you how to market them and make $$$. Lynn Thomas has done a great job with this book. We have sold hundreds of copies of this book! It will help you avoid making mistakes and it is well worth the price. |
|
How safe are Gel Candles?
Gel Candles are safe. Despite any urbans legends (myths) that might have been started by others in the industry.
*HOWEVER* Gel Candles do require a certain degree of precaution and safety measures. All gel candles should always have warning labels. (Kewl Candle Factory sells these labels.)
As with any candles they should be kept away from flammable items and away from pets and children. The wick should be kept trimmed to 1/8" to 1/4". Discontinue use when gel reaches the last 1". (Never burn a gel candle all the way down). Remove enbeds as they emerge from a cooled candle. Never leave a burning candle unattended. Keep out of direct sunlight and heat. Burn candle on a level, protected, surface.
|
|
How do I know how much gel I will need?
The number of candles you will be able to make depends on your glass size. You must know how many ounces your glass is to figure the amount of gel you will need. A basic example is: 10#'s of gel equals 160 ounces. If you are using a 4 ounce glass you will be able to make approximately 40 candles (160 divided by 4). You'll have a little left over because you don't pour to the top (3/8" to 1/2" from the top). |
|
What can I "embed" in my gel candles?
You can use any "non-flammable" items in your gel candles. Common sense is the rule here! If plastic, wood, paper, or anything flammable is used you are asking for a fire. We do not suggest resin items though we know it has been said if you use some safety measures this is safe. It is also not safe to use any type of real food. Glass embeds, pewter, shells, sea glass, marbles are all safe items. There are ways to add other items to your candles that might be flammable, but this does require extra steps (double glassing).
*All embeds that KewL Candle Factory sells are 100 % safe! |
|
What if I have a problem with the outcome of my gel candles?
99 percent of our customers have no problems with the outcome of their gel candles when they purchased all of the materials from us.
The key to success is follow the directions and ONLY use items made for gel candle use. ALL of the items we sell are for gel candle use. Many items made for reg candles can cause problems with gel candles. For example most wicks made for paraffin candles will cloud gel candles. If you have problems with your gel candles not turning out right then e-mail us and we will try to help. Please let us know what materials you used in the candle and where they came from. The best way to insure success
is to buy all of your materials from us or another reputable gel candle supplier. Our e-mail is
kewlcandle@yahoo.com |
|
What is "burn rate"?
The burn rate is the amount of wax consumed per hour (in grams). Burn rates are based on testing performed with wax only (no other additives). |
| |
How do I calculate the burn time of a candle?
Before lighting the candle, use a scale to weigh it and find it's total weight. Then light and let it burn for 3 hours (assuming it's a 3 inch diameter candle). Weigh the candle again. Now you can calculate the burn rate. For example if you have a 16 oz candle to begin with, and after 3 hours of burning it weighs 15.5 oz then that means it burned.5 oz in 3 hours. Split that in 3, so in 1 hour .16 oz burned away. Now take your original total weight (16) and divide that by your per hour rate (.16). This would give you a total burn time of approximately 100 hours. |
| |
What do the three sets of numbers on the wicks mean?
The first number is the thickness of the wick. The bigger the number, the thicker the wick. The second number is the coded speed of which the string goes thru the wicking gears. The faster it goes thru the machine the tighter the wick is wicked (which keeps the wick from buring to fast). The last number is a code for the temperature of the wax as the wick goes thru the various gears. This temperature will vary according to the two previous numbers. |
|
How can I be sure my wick does not contain lead?
To test if there is lead in the wick, peel back the braid sheath to expose the wire core, then take the wick core and rub it on a piece of paper. If it makes a grey mark (like a pencil mark) then the wire core contains lead. |
|
Why are there "black things" in my gel candle?
This is called candle soot. You have more then likely allowed the wick to get too long before triming it. It has "mushroomed" and these black bits are the result of that. You need to trim the wick after it has burned by turning the "cooled" candle upside down and trimming the wick. This will prevent wick debris from getting into your gel. |
| |
Why is my candle smoking?
In general there are two reasons why a gel candle will smoke. The first is the wick is too large. The second most common reason is the wick is not being properly trimmed (wicks should be kept trimmed to 1/4 of a inch). |
|
