Troubleshooting

Issue

Potential Reason for Issue

Resolution for Issue

Small flame or flame drowns out

• Wick is too small

• Use a larger wick or try a different wick type

• Wax is too hard for wick used

• Use a softer wax or reduce amount of wax hardening additive if used

Candle smokes or creates excessive soot

• Too heavy use of additives (dye, fragrance, etc.)

• Reduce amount of additives used

• Candle may be in a draft

• Move candles to an area that is clear of drafts, typically not near vents

• Wick size too large

• Use smaller wick size or try a different wick type

Candle flame too big

• Wick size is too big

• Use smaller wick size or try a different wick type

• Wick needs to be trimmed

• Always trim wick to ¼ to ½ inch before burning

Candle wick is ‘mushrooming’

• Wick size is too large for candle

• Use a smaller wick size (Zinc wicks are known to mushroom more than other wick types, but this can be minimized by keeping the wick trimmed)

• Wick needs to be trimmed

• Always trim wick to ¼ to ½ inch prior to burning

Candle color fades

• Too much exposure to light

• Keep candles stored in a dark area and away from direct sunlight
• Add UV inhibitor to prolong candle color life

• Low quality candle dye

• Use only quality candle dye

• Low quality wax

• Use only quality wax designed for candle making

Little or no scent throw

• Added fragrance oil too soon before pouring

• Add fragrance oil just before pouring to minimize evaporation

• Poor quality fragrance oil

• Use only quality fragrance oils from trusted suppliers

• Too little fragrance oil used

• Add more fragrance

• Type of fragrance oil used

• Be sure fragrance oil used is designed for use in candle making

• Type of wax used

• Use better quality wax

Candle not burning evenly

• Wick may not be centered

• Be sure wick is properly centered using equipment such as a wick bar

• Candle may be in a draft

• Move candles to an area that is clear of drafts, typically not near vents

Sputtering flame

• Water may have gotten in the wax

• Be sure to prevent water from getting in the wax when making candles

• Air pockets may have formed during the cooling process

• Adjust the pouring temperature
• Tap the sides of the container or mold lightly after pouring to release air pockets

Candle burning rapidly

• Air pockets formed around the wick

• Adjust the pouring temperature
• Tap the sides of the container or mold lightly after pouring to release air pockets

• Wax is too soft for wick used

• Use a harder wax or smaller wick size

Candle surface has a ‘mottled’ effect

• Excessive oil used in wax

• Reduce amount of fragrance oil used and/or use additives such as Vybar to prevent mottling

• Candle cooled too quickly

• Be careful not to use excessive amounts of mold release
• Allow the candle to cool at a slower pace by wrapping a towel around the mold or container
• Pre-heat the mold or container prior to pouring

Candle will not stay lit

• Wick not primed

• Use wicks that are ‘primed,’ or coated with wax

• Wick may be clogged

• Avoid using dyes that contain pigments which can clog the wick
• Be sure the wax is clean of dust and debris before melting

Oil seeping from candle

• Likely used too much fragrance oil

• Reduce the amount of fragrance oils used

• Wax is not formulated to retain large percentages of fragrance oil

• Use additives such as Vybar to increase fragrance oil retention
• Use a wax that is designed to retain higher amount of fragrance oil (many waxes are pre-blended for increased fragrance oil retention)

Candle cracked during cooling

• Candle cooled too quickly

• Allow candle to cool in warmer temperature environment
• Do not place in the refrigerator or freezer

Candle has dye spots on surface

• Dye chips or blocks did not fully dissolve before pouring

• Stir thoroughly and allow dye chips or dye blocks to fully dissolve before pouring
• Consider using liquid dyes which disperse easier in melted wax

Candle color is fading

• Candle has too much exposure to UV lighting

• Keep candles out of direct sunlight
• Consider using UV inhibitors which can help prolong colors before natural fading occurs

Candle has ‘tunneling’ effect (leaving wax on the sides of container candles)

• Wick size too small

• Use a larger wick size
• Use a softer wax