Quick Fixes for Common Problems
Something went wrong? Find your problem below.
Surface Problems
Sinkholes (dips around the wick)
Cause: Wax contracting as it cools, pulling away from the wick.
Fix: Poke relief holes around the wick while cooling. Do a second pour at slightly lower temperature to fill gaps.
Rough/bumpy top
Cause: Pouring too cool or cooling too fast.
Fix: Pour 5°C warmer. Cool in a warmer environment. Use a heat gun to smooth the top after setting.
Wet spots
Cause: Wax pulling away from container walls.
Fix: Pre-heat containers. Pour at the right temperature. Cool slowly, away from drafts.
Burning Problems
Tunnelling (wax only melts in the middle)
Cause: Wick too small for container, or first burn too short.
Fix: Size up your wick. Always burn until the melt pool reaches the edges on first use (about 1 hour per inch of diameter).
Mushrooming wick (carbon buildup on tip)
Cause: Wick too large, or too much fragrance oil.
Fix: Size down your wick. Reduce fragrance load by 1-2%. Trim wick to 5mm before each burn.
Smoking/sooting
Cause: Wick too large, drafts, or wick needs trimming.
Fix: Trim wick to 5mm. Move away from drafts. Try a smaller wick size.
Flame too small/drowning
Cause: Wick too small, or too much fragrance oil flooding the wick.
Fix: Size up your wick. Reduce fragrance load.
Scent Problems
Weak cold throw (can't smell it unlit)
Cause: Not enough fragrance, wrong fragrance for the wax, or needs more cure time.
Fix: Increase fragrance to 8-10%. Let cure for 2 weeks. Some fragrances just don't throw cold.
Weak hot throw (can't smell it burning)
Cause: Melt pool not hot enough, fragrance added at wrong temp, or wick too small.
Fix: Size up wick for hotter melt pool. Add fragrance at 75-80°C and stir for 2 full minutes.
Scent fades over time
Cause: Fragrance evaporating, or volatile top notes escaping.
Fix: Store in cool, dark place. Use lids. Some scent loss is normal with natural wax.
Wax Problems
Frosting (white crystalline coating)
Cause: Natural characteristic of soy wax.
Fix: Cool slowly. Store at stable temperature. Or embrace it as proof of natural ingredients.
Sweating (oil beads on surface)
Cause: Too much fragrance oil, or temperature changes.
Fix: Reduce fragrance load. Store at stable temperature.
The 80/20 Rule
80% of problems come from three things: wrong wick size, wrong pour temperature, or wrong fragrance load. Master those, and most issues disappear.