Tyler Brooks
Soy candles are notoriously difficult to get right when it comes to achieving a good hot throw. The hot throw of a candle refers to its scent while burning, which is what keeps customers coming back. There are several ways to improve the hot throw of soy candles, including experimenting with different fragrance oils and temperatures, allowing enough time for curing, and choosing the right wick and container size. Even small changes to a candle recipe can affect the burn, so it's important to be precise and keep detailed notes when making adjustments.
How to improve hot throw in soy candles
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Melt pool | The larger the candle's melt pool, the stronger the hot throw. |
| Container | Containers with larger diameters allow for larger melt pools. |
| Wax | Soy wax is stubborn when it comes to achieving a good hot throw. Try a paraffin blend if pure paraffin is unappealing. |
| Fragrance oil | Adding fragrance oil at the correct temperature is critical. Try adding at 130–135 °F (70–80 °C) and no lower, as the wax may start to solidify. |
| Cure time | The longer the cure time, the stronger the hot throw. Soy wax should cure for at least 1–2 weeks. |
| Wick | Try different kinds of wicks. |
| Fragrance oil amount | The maximum fragrance load for soy wax is around 10% per pound of wax. Adding too much oil can hurt the hot throw and cause wicking and appearance issues. |
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What You'll Learn
Use a wider container
Using a wider container is a simple and effective way to improve the hot throw of your soy candles. The hot throw of a candle refers to the strength of its fragrance while burning, and the size and shape of its container can play a significant role in determining this.
A wider container allows for a larger melt pool, which is fundamental to achieving a strong hot throw. The larger the melt pool, the more fragrance is released, and the more effectively it can disperse throughout the space. This is why containers with wider openings can help the fragrance escape and fill the room more efficiently.
When selecting a container, it's important to consider not only the width but also the height. A tall, narrow candle will have a smaller surface area, which may result in a weaker hot throw. Therefore, opting for a container with a wider diameter will increase the candle's surface area, allowing for a larger melt pool and a stronger fragrance release.
In addition to container size, other factors such as wax type, fragrance load, and wick size can also impact the hot throw. However, if you're looking for a simple way to improve your soy candle's performance, using a wider container is an excellent place to start.
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Choose the right wick
Choosing the right wick is a crucial step in improving the hot throw of soy candles. The perfect wick should have certain characteristics, and finding the right one may require a few tries.
Firstly, the flame of the lit wick should be between 1/2" and 1" in height and should not flicker excessively. A larger wick size can help improve the hot throw. However, it is important to note that a bigger wick does not always equate to a bigger flame. The type and quality of the wick, along with its interaction with the wax blend, play a significant role in determining the flame size.
Secondly, the wick should not produce smoke or black soot during burning. This indicates incomplete combustion and could be due to an incorrect wick size or an imbalance in fragrance load.
Thirdly, the wick should create an even melt pool that extends to the sides of the jar after approximately 2 hours of burning. A full melt pool is fundamental to a strong hot throw, as it maximises scent throw. The flame on the wick regulates the temperature of the melt pool, which in turn affects the release of fragrance. Larger melt pools, achieved through wider containers, generally release more fragrance.
Lastly, the right wick will burn correctly and safely throughout the entire use of the candle. Conducting a burn test with several types of wicks is essential to determine the optimal wick for your candles.
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Add fragrance oil at a lower temperature
Adding fragrance oil at a lower temperature is a crucial step in improving the hot throw of soy candles. While the general guidance is to add fragrance oil to soy wax at 80°C or higher, many candle makers have found greater success by adding the fragrance oil at lower temperatures, such as 70°C or even 60°C.
Soy wax is unique in that it encapsulates and traps fragrance oil molecules during the bonding process. This means that soy wax does not readily release or evaporate fragrance like paraffin wax, and it takes longer for the two to bind together. Therefore, adding fragrance oil at a lower temperature can help ensure that the fragrance oil does not burn off too quickly or smell "off". This is especially important for lighter, more volatile fragrance oils with lower flash points, such as citrus and herbal oils. By adding these fragrance oils at a lower temperature, you can prevent them from becoming combustible and burning off too quickly.
Additionally, soy wax has a higher melting point than other types of wax, which means it takes more heat and energy to burn. This higher melting point can make it more difficult for the fragrance to be released. By adding the fragrance oil at a lower temperature, you can help ensure that the fragrance oil is not burned off by the high heat required to melt the soy wax.
It is also important to consider the type of fragrance oil being used. Some fragrance oils, such as those containing vanilla, sandalwood, oudh, or caramel, are heavier and require less fragrance. For these fragrance oils, a lower temperature can help ensure that the scent is not overpowering and that the wax sets smoothly, without becoming lumpy or "curdled".
Finally, it is worth noting that adding fragrance oil at a lower temperature may require some experimentation. The optimal temperature for adding fragrance oil will depend on the specific fragrance oil being used, the type of wax, and other variables such as humidity and room size. Therefore, it is recommended to keep a record of the weights, temperatures, and types of supplies used, as well as any differences noticed, to refine the process over time.
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Cure for longer
Curing soy candles for longer can improve their hot throw—the scent released while they're burning. The minimum cure time can range from three days to several weeks, but soy and other natural waxes should cure for at least one to two weeks. The longer they cure, the stronger the hot throw.
Curing is the process of allowing candles to sit for a period of time with their lids on, away from sunlight, and in a space that's around room temperature. This gives the soy wax and fragrance oil time to bond.
When curing soy candles, it's important to consider the maximum fragrance load, which is typically around 6% to 10% per pound of wax. Adding too much fragrance oil can hurt the hot throw and cause issues with wicking and candle appearance. Finding the perfect balance of fragrance oil and wax may involve some trial and error, but it's important not to overload the wax with too much oil.
In addition to curing for longer, there are other factors that can improve the hot throw of soy candles. For example, using a larger container with a wider diameter allows for a larger melt pool, which results in a stronger hot throw. Fragrance oil should also be added at the right temperature, typically between 130–185 °F (54–85 °C), as adding it at too high a temperature can result in a poor hot throw.
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Be precise with measurements
Candle-making is similar to baking in that precision is required to achieve the desired outcome. Even small changes can affect the burn, so it is important to be as precise as possible when measuring, checking temperatures, and following directions.
When working with soy wax, it is important to familiarise yourself with its properties before beginning the candle-making process. Soy wax has a maximum fragrance load, cure time requirements, and suggested wick types that should be taken into account. For example, soy wax typically has a maximum fragrance load of around 6% to 10% per pound of wax, but adding too much oil can negatively impact the hot throw and cause issues with wicking and appearance. Therefore, it is important to find the perfect balance of fragrance oil to wax through experimentation.
To add fragrance oil to soy wax, the wax must be heated to the proper temperature. Some sources recommend adding fragrance oil at temperatures between 130 and 185 degrees Fahrenheit, while others suggest lower temperatures of around 70 degrees Celsius. It is important to test different temperatures to find the optimal range for your specific wax and fragrance oil combination.
In addition to temperature control, precise measurements are crucial when preparing soy candles. The amount of fragrance oil added to the wax should be carefully calculated, as too much oil can lead to pooling on the candle's surface and potentially cause fire hazards. Using a digital scale to measure the wax before melting can help ensure accurate measurements and facilitate the calculation of the appropriate percentage of fragrance oil.
Overall, precision in measurements, temperatures, and ratios is key to improving the hot throw of soy candles. By taking the time to understand the properties of soy wax, experimenting with different temperatures and fragrance oil ratios, and utilising tools like digital scales for accurate measurements, candle makers can optimise the hot throw of their soy candles.
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Frequently asked questions
Adding fragrance oil at 185 °Fahrenheit (or 85 °Celsius) is recommended. Stir the mixture for a full two minutes. If the flashpoint of your fragrance oil is lower than this temperature, it may not bind properly with the wax.
The larger the melt pool, the stronger the hot throw. Containers with larger diameters allow for larger melt pools. Therefore, using a wider container is a simple way to improve the hot throw of your soy candle.
The standard amount of fragrance oil is typically 1 ounce per pound of wax, which equates to a little over 6%. However, the maximum fragrance load can vary depending on the type of wax. For example, GB 464 soy wax has a maximum fragrance load of 10% per pound of wax. Adding too much oil can hurt your hot throw and cause issues with wicking and candle appearance.
Soy candles should be cured with their lids on, away from sunlight, and at room temperature. The minimum cure time can range from 3 days to several weeks. Generally, the longer the curing time, the stronger the hot throw. Aim for at least one to two weeks before burning or selling your soy candles.
