When I am making candles why do they set with a hole in the middle around the wick?

Question

My candles after they cool and set up always have a depression around the wick and then some of the wax appears to climb up the wick from the depression...does anyone have any suggestions for making level candles?

Answer 1

This is happens because wax expands when hot and contracts when it cools. Even so called "one pour" waxes can require a second pour if the original pouring temperature is too hot. If you are pouring container candles, minor sinking can be corrected by using a heat gun to melt the surface (be careful not to ignite the wick!!!!) and let it cool. If you are pouring molded candles, you will want to "poke" and repour the candle since large hollow pockets can develop.

Here are some sites to get more information:

Sites:

http://www.candlesandsupplies.com (good for kits, supplies, info, videos, etc)

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/candlemaki... (great on-line group)

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/candleques... (great on-line group)

http://candleandsoap.about.com/ (good instructions)

http://www.candlecauldron.com/ (a very informative site)

http://www.gatehousecandles.com/ (my site)

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Oh Boy!

I was flustrated about this myself and now I do like a 2 step to filling.

I fill the candle (I use a lot of different jars/ containers) but fill it half full then I let is set then usually, 4-6 hours later (next day) I finish the fill and found that the candle does not depress like the one fill method.