How to Test Soy Wax Candles - Tips from a Candle Expert | Bramble Berry

Before you start selling your candles, or making large batches of them, it’s a good practice to test all your materials together. A basic testing strategy can take a little work to set up initially, but it will save you time and huge headaches in the long run.

It’s crucial to test any new fragrance or variable you introduce (like a new container, candle dye, etc.) to your product and never assume that it will work perfectly. So how do you navigate the testing process?

🕯️ To read the entire article on testing your soy wax candles, visit our website here: https://bberry.studio/HowToTestSoyWax...

🕯️ Try out the new (paraffin-free) Coconut Soy Wax here: https://bberry.studio/Coconut_Soy_Wax

Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:48 - Basic Testing Strategy
03:21 - Testing Your Core Materials
05:01 - Testing the Wicks
09:43 - Evaluating Your Wick Test
14:50 - Testing Your Fragrance Oils
19:48 - Scent Throw: Hot vs. Cold
22:18 - When Should You Retest?
23:30 - Final Recap
24:43 - Bloopers

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🕯️ Basic Supplies for Making Candles: https://www.brambleberry.com/ingredie...

For the first test, we recommend not using fragrance oil. Once we have a better idea of what wick size you think will work best, you can retest with fragrance. For the first test, I would fill the container halfway with wax. This allows you to see how the candle will burn as the container insulates it further down.

Here's how to get accurate results during your wick test:
Use a consistent container
Sample 1-3 wicks from each brand you’d like to test
Pour from the same batch of wax if possible, filling each container half full
Allow the wax to cure for 1-2 days before lighting
Burn the candles at the same time, but spaced at least 3” apart on a level surface and away from any windows or drafts.
Set a timer (estimate 1 hour of burn time for each 1” in diameter)

When testing your fragrance, use these tips:
If possible, pour all your test candles using the same batch of wax to eliminate any variation.
Label your candle or use a sharpie to write on the bottom. You want to note the following:
Wax type/blend ratio (if applicable)
Percentage of fragrance used (we recommend that you test at 6%)
Wick size and brand
Allow your candle to cure for 3-5 days before the test burn
If you’re testing multiple scents, we recommend spreading them out to different spaces in your home or with a friend.
Light your test candle away from windows or drafts and make sure they are burning on a level, heat-resistant surface.
Set a timer (remember, 1 hour per 1” in diameter)
If the candle reaches a full melt pool during that time, move onto the next steps.

Once you’ve found the wick size that works most consistently with your desired wax blend and container, you still want to test every fragrance you plan to use! If your original baseline burn test was successful with more than one wick size in your chosen brand/wick type, then test both with your fragrance to determine what works best.

Always test at the lower end of a usage rate so you don't waste fragrance. Heavier fragrances (high flashpoint) or those containing vanillin often need a larger wick to draw the fragrance up, as does soy wax. If you’re not getting good hot throw, it’s often due to the wick size rather than usage rate. Some fragrances simply won’t perform well in candles, particularly in waxes with a high melting point. Many essential oils, citrus oils, and herbal oils can produce an off-putting diesel or camphor-type smell when burned. Some menthol and camphor oils can be toxic when burned, or irritate small animals and people with asthma.

We tested every Bramble Berry fragrance for candle compatibility and rated their hot throw. Scent preferences are personal, so your own results may vary depending on the materials used, but hopefully this gives you an idea of what to expect when working with these fragrances.

Knowing when to retest usually comes down to knowing your materials and process. If you’re confident in your baseline test, you shouldn’t have to retest more than once or twice to know if a new component like a dye, fragrance, etc. is going to work.

🕯️ To read the entire article on testing your soy wax candles, visit our website here: https://bberry.studio/HowToTestSoyWax...

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