There is an ongoing debate among candle-makers on the benefits of soy over paraffin. Many proponents of soy are making extravagant claims about their superiority to paraffin. It is important to realize that both are safe, viable “natural” raw materials with differing chemical compositions thus offering many varied benefits depending on end user applications, and to clarify that both paraffin and vegetable-based waxes have been found to be biodegradable, safe, and effective when used in well-designed product systems.
After researching both soy and paraffin, I found benefits and drawbacks to both. The wax we now use is about 90% soy, but to offset the drawbacks I encountered with soy, small amounts of paraffin and beeswax have been added to improve scent retention, durability and appearance, and improve burn times. Thus, Four Seasons Scents does not offer a "100% soy" candle, but a soy based blend.
Why do I get black mushrooms on my wick?
When burning candles, the wick can develop a build up of carbon deposits or a black mushroom. This is normal, but should be attended to. When a mushroom is formed, extinguish the flame, let cool, trim wick to ¼" and relight. This prevents the flame from getting overlarge and causing blackening and oveheating of your container. The mushrooming is more common in some types of wicks than others.
How long should I burn my candle?
The first time you burn a candle, you should burn it long enough to form a melt pool across its entire diameter. Candles have "memory". if you burn a candle just long enough to form a small melt pool, subsequent burnings will contain themselves to that same small area, creating a tunnelling effect. This will result in poor scent throw and wasted wax.
A good rule of thumb is to burn 2 hours for a 2-inch diameter candle, 3 hrs for a 3-inch diameter candle, etc.
Scent comes from the melt pool... the larger your melt pool, the more intense your scent.
Why do I get blackening in my jar candles?
Four Seasons Scents premium soy-blend candles produce little soot and rarely will you get blackening in your jar when you burn your candle properly. However, where there is flame, there is soot. Even soy produces soot, although it is often whitish in appearance and not as noticeable. Soot can be minimized by burning well made candles, with the correct wick size and appropriate amounts of fragrance oil. Too much oil, or the improper wick size, can cause excessive smoking and soot.
Burn your candle for the recommended times,and keep your wick trimmed to 1/4" to further minimize soot and smoking.
Four Seasons Scents
Bringing the scents of the seasons into your home...
