Candle Testing | Does WICKLESS Candle Testing Work? | My Thoughts + Bonus Tip for Testing!

[@BlackTieBarn]

Thanks for stopping by everyone. I'd love your feedback in the comment section about whether you use wickless testing or make regular testers. And any thoughts on mixing it up? Looking forward your comments!

[@indigovida4204]

The man is who really really understand the real candle making ! learned a lot from you !!!great teacher! really thank you so much !

[@BlackTieBarn]

Thank you! I appreciate that

[@krystlerosexox]

I melt the leftover candles in the oven at a very low temp or on a wax melter just until it’s soft enough to dislodge, it doesn’t have to be fully melted. I remove the wick and any particles then I pour the wax into a pitcher to weigh it out and I mix it with 20% of 4625 paraffin wax and I add more fragrance oil and pour into my wax melt molds 🙌🏻

[@BlackTieBarn]

❤

[@cscott505]

The Virgo in me really appreciates details and clarity that you put into your videos! ❤️

[@BlackTieBarn]

Thanks Chelsee. :)

[@shenaallen5975]

My Exact thoughts #TeamVirgo Appreciate Him so much❤️!

[@amarylliscruzjustiniano1053]

Thank you so much for another awesome video! Wade, you are blessing. I've been struggling with wickless testing for a while now. Going through failed wick after failed wick and I couldn't understand what I was doing wrong 😕 Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and experience with those of us that are still learning.

[@BlackTieBarn]

Np at all Lily. Thanks for your feedback and for being here. :)

[@joan6873]

I've been wickless testing and it definitely has disadvantages. Wick floating and drowning occurs in every candle past the halfway point. I have at least narrowed down which wicks I prefer for the wax I have tested, but I am moving on from this method. Not sure I will make this a business, but a hobby for sure and I feel it hasn't been too much of a waste at this point. This is great advice for those that want to make it a business and not waste a lot of time!

[@BlackTieBarn]

Thanks for that feedback Joan. It really does sound great in throery.... but I've always experienced the same issue you described.

[@Mv12305]

I have been using wickless testing lately and I'm so tired of my wicks falling in. I will be making so.e real ones. Thanks Wade!!

[@BlackTieBarn]

💯 Goodluck. Thank you for the feedback

[@johnmcg9803]

Wade, thank you for making this video. Wickless testing seems to be gaining in popularity and I agree that it isn't reliable. You pointed out all of the shortcomings. I often wondered if some of the problems that I was having with drowning wicks came from leaning wicks that I could barely see that they had shifted. This video confirms my suspicions. I also have done the hybrid version and will use hot glue to stick the replacement wick. Also, I do 1/2 jar wickless to establish my wick and then do a full fixed wick test to confirm the selection. Thanks again, great content.

[@BlackTieBarn]

Thanks for the feedback John. I agree... its become quite popular and is why I wanted to do this video. I feel it isn't a great fad personally

[@incompleatangler]

This is such great timing for me! I'm literally starting baseline testing on two waxes tomorrow. You've given me a lot to think about. I think I'll try to dial in with wickless testing, then use "real" candles to fine tune. I don't even know what KIND of wick I will end up with, let alone the size. Or maybe I'll run to the grocery store and pick up a coring tool in the morning. Thanks for all the food for thought, Wade!

[@BlackTieBarn]

No problem Greg. Happy to help!

[@anthonyivison5474]

I only make candles for home use and still learning. I use 30cl Karen glass jars. My thoughts are, and correct me if I'm wrong. I make a few wickless candles and test them. Before the candle is half used, surely you'll know if the wick is correct or not so youd not get to the point wherethe wick starts moving as mentioned in this video. I'd then redo any candles I thought were OK with a wick attached to the base. Any candle that is under or over wicked, I simply pull out the wick, top the jar up and start a new test.

[@naimahnicholls2022]

I have just started making candles ( I'm asking myself why as the testing is so mind boggling for me ?? ) and I have been testing different candles at a time with different wick sizes. Then watched a video by someone else on wicklrss testing and was going to try it until I watched this. So thankyou for saving me time. You explain things so clearly and thoroughly and I really appreciate you making videos to help eveyone.

[@BlackTieBarn]

Thank you so much for the kind feedback. Yah, to be honest... I just don't recommend wickless

[@rayopd]

You know what I like about you and your videos - unlike some other folks that I used to watch, you don’t put out videos just for the sake of putting out videos. Your videos are well thought out, and on meaty (meaningful) subjects & content. I like your methodical approach to this whole candle making experience; and probably like you, I approach this whole journey as fun too (no pressure to produce candles fast or many fragrances or for selling them quick or anything like that). If people don’t have patience, or are just simply looking for the quick silver bullet, they ain’t gonna find it. Candle making is just therapy, and a wonderful journey - but not for the impatient. So ... thanks for all your efforts.

[@BlackTieBarn]

Thank you so much Rayo for te kind feedback and insight. I appreciate that

[@tommakofski7164]

These are the same findings that I have. The only time I would now consider doing wickless testing is when I am wanting to test a new wick series that I haven't found any info on. Thanks again for all your videos!

[@BlackTieBarn]

💯 Thanks Tom

[@Vette602004]

So happy someone finally made a video of wickless testing. Ive wasted more wax trying wickless than I have securing the wicks. Everybody always recommends wickless but my wicks ALWAYS move and I have a hard time removing the wick. Thanks for this video cause sometimes I feel guilty by securing my wicks.... Now if I can just figure out a way to remove the wicks/wax from my tins I'll be good to go

[@BlackTieBarn]

Couldn't agree more. Thank you for your feedback. :)

[@scottfletcher1956]

Well that explains alot. I feel much better now, I also, feel kinda stupid. 😅this exact scenario has been happening to me for the past 2 weeks, and I'm frustrated. Thx Wade for some more really good insight. Keep makin em, we'll keep watching 👀

[@BlackTieBarn]

Thanks Scott. Don't feel bad.... it happened to me at one point too. Lol

[@tristanthomas5579]

Hi Wade, I have a question, but I need to explain a little bit first.... Right now I'm testing 3 waxes. I made 6 candles per wax (wickless). I made a 7%, 8%, & 9% fragrance load poured at 180°. And did the same with the other 3, but added fragrance at different temp. I put CD wicks in, burned for 4 hours and documented my findings for burn and hot throw. Then I'm going to do the same with HTP wicks, and then I'll try Eco wicks. I'll pick a FO %, pour temp, wax, and a wick once I'm done with this craziness. Here's my question. Should I do this with every fragrance (I'm starting with 10 scents).... I mean..... choose a wax and a fragrance oil pour temp and then make 3 full candles, each with a different FO % and with each burn swap out the wicks. Or should I just pick a wax and the best wick and then only play around with FO % for each fragrance? I hope that makes sense.

[@BlackTieBarn]

I do the craY detailed tested early on with a new wax and a couple oils. Once I have a good idea what works well most of the time, I don't always do all those intricate processes you described. I'll start with my best guess based off what I've learned in the other tests and then adjust from there If I need to

[@leboguedamour]

Thank you for this video. I've been so frustrated with wickless testing. I keep thinking its me making bad, unwickable candles, but its just this testing method that sucks 😂 Time to go a new direction! Thank you, again! Hope is restored.

[@BlackTieBarn]

Haha. Yah..... it just isn't for me dispute it's appeal. At least for the most part.

[@jrw6m]

Thank you for this video! I've been trying for months to test my shallow mini tumblers, using ecosoya cb advanced and have been having THE hardest time trying to find something that works! The points you described as disadvantages make so much sense and I never thought of the fact that if it moves even a little, the results will be skewed. Thank you for such a helpful video!

[@BlackTieBarn]

Np Jessie! Happy to help. Good luck on your testing!

[@candlemakerstools2649]

You're so right about the wicks floating away and giving you bad results. I treat it as much as I can like QA; product samples prove the process. A mock-up really won't show you anything about the real world.

[@BlackTieBarn]

100% agree!

[@fredaboone1381]

Good afternoon I just wanted to thank for all your videos. You have made them so easy to follow. I'm now in the process of watching all your videos. So much very useful information. So many resources. Wow! I have watched others on KZbin but got bored quickly. Thank you for being yourself and being real and truthful about candle making. Thank so much for sharing your knowledge . There's no need to have knowledge is you are not going to share it. I'm doing some research and testing. Since learning from you and you encouraging words. I know I'm on my way to hopefully starting my own Candle business. God bless you. 🙏😁💓

[@BlackTieBarn]

Thanks for the feedback Frilinda. I appreciate that very much. I hope you candle journey goes well and that you enjoy the process. :)

[@emmahradecka8530]

Hi Wade, I've never been able to get the hand of wickless testing, really, even if I watched videos on how to do it. I do prefer to test a full candle. By now I am usually able to estimate what wick should work relatively well, so I don't have to test... eight or such. Three usually is ok. Plus if I find a wick is way off, I stop burning that candle, and just reuse the wax to make a new tester. It also helps me to see the candles side by side once I narrow it down to two potential candidates.

[@BlackTieBarn]

Pretty much exactly my process. Thanks for sharing. :)

[@rebeccahatfield]

I really LOVE your videos, and this one didn't fall short. I test using a full attached wick, and agree with what you said about wickless testing and not having accurate results. If I am unsure about which wicks to test, I will pour half a candle and narrow it down that way, then pour a full tester when I have one (or possibly 2) that I want to really test. Spot on video!! I am about to open a brick and mortar store (along with its online website etc) and cannot find anyone talking about that anywhere except some websites with store owners who have owned their stores since 1960 something. I would really appreciate a video on a physical store and some of the things to think about when it comes to that. I could use some advice!

[@BlackTieBarn]

Thanks so much Rebecca. Great insight and I'll add your notes to my notes. :)

[@777VIBRANT]

Thank you sharing your experience and information

[@BlackTieBarn]

My pleasure!

[@ttisol]

I do wickless testing and only recently started to go a bit more methodically about it. At first I got impatient if I sensed it was burning poorly after one or two burns. Now I wait at least 3 burns (each in three different sized rooms) to discard a wick. Once I get to that part where the wick can't stand on itself, I settle for the wick that, in my opinion, has the best chance. I then use an apple core remover to remove a chunk of wax and make room for that wick attached to a sustainer. I get about three more burns out of that candle this way. If I'm lucky to have found one or two good candidates, I then make full testers with them, sustainer and all. All that said, I've only managed to crack two candles in almost a year of testing, so take that with a bunch of salt 😄 (in my defense: a long time was spent testing wood wicks, which I finally gave up on at the beginning of this year)

[@BlackTieBarn]

Lol. Totally understand. Thanks for sharing your methods and experiences!

[@heathalbritton]

I have had many questions and concerns about wicks...until I finally started making candles. I got the sample pack of HTP wicks from Lone Star Candle Supply and it seems that I have found a wick or two in that sample pack that are pretty consistent in all of my candles. I am using their 9 oz straight sided jars and I watched some of your videos and you talked about the HTP 83. So I started with the 83 and it seemed to be just a little too small for these candles, so I went up their next size up which was the 104, it seems to work about as good as I would expect from any candle wick, maybe a little big. So I contacted another company, maybe it was the flaming candle company and they told me they have HTP 93 wicks and that I should try those. So I ordered some of those to test and they should be here tomorrow. If the 93 is one size in between the 83 and 104, I feel like it will be the perfect wick for my candles. Is this normal? Is it normal to find one wick that works for all of the candles that are the same jar size and same wax? I am using different fragrance oils and different dye colors, but other than that everything is the same. Should I keep testing more wicks or stop at the 93 if it works? Like I said, I think the 104 works pretty good, just a little too big, so I think the 93 would be perfect. I guess we'll find out.

[@carolacarola6137]

I test wickless. I make a little hole, insert wick and use heat gun. I do it also if I change the wicks. It does move past the half way point, but than I stop burning, fix the wick and burn again after a while. Or I take the wick out and put the same one at the same place later, use heat gun, let it cool. It works well for me, if I want to estimate which wick will work.

[@BlackTieBarn]

Thanks Carola

[@candlegoddess]

Me too

[@Suzi_Missouri]

Great video, once again. Personally, I don’t trust myself to do wickless testing. 🤪 I just stick with the regular way.. with testing different wicks in multiple candles at once. To begin with though, I won’t usually make quite a full candle to test. I typically fill it about 3/4 of the way. Then if that wick works I do a full candle.

[@BlackTieBarn]

Yep! Thanks Suzi!

[@NaviFae]

New to candle making but is it possible to re wick a new jar, melt the wax in the failed wick test candle, and then pour it into the new jar with wick let it harden and preform another wick test? Has that been done I’m in testing phase and trying not to waste product trying to find the right wick size?

[@BlackTieBarn]

For wick testing, absolutely

[@joeycanlas3965]

Hi Wade. I have a question on perfume oil but i dont know how I can approach you. Need your help pls.

[@BlackTieBarn]

short answer is do not use them in candles. not safe. Stick with fragrance oils made for candles. ;)

[@barbr316]

My thought is the same about wickless testing great video

[@BlackTieBarn]

❤️

[@beyond_senses]

Ideal when using a wooden wick, that appel thingy 😆😆 been doing it like this from the beginning. Hello from Infinity Flame in Belgium🔥👍

[@BlackTieBarn]

❤ thanks so much!

[@jocquaduncan802]

Ok this made so much sense. I am very new and when I found wickless testing was my answer to all but I see more of the reason to test a regular candle. Now would it be better to just fill the container/jar half way when testing instead of full?

[@BlackTieBarn]

You definitely can starting out. But I'd still follow up with a full candle after you have picked a winner. The reason is because candles burn different early on at the top then down at the bottom. I want to feel confident it burns well throughout the entire candle. :)

[@Jason-ei5jj]

Thanks you for sharing your knowledge, it helps a lot! I was wondering something and I couldn’t find a answer yet. Does keep candles in a fridge, at around 50°F better to keep them at around 80°F+ ? Also, I’m using the air con half the day, so I thought I will be bad for them to go up and down, hot to cool.. I’m living in Asia and I’m going to sell candles online, I still don’t know how I’m going to stock them, I read a articles saying that keeping them cool was better. What are you thoughts about that ? Cheers 🙌🏻

[@BlackTieBarn]

I would try to keep them at room temp. A fridge is not good and is it can causing cracking etc. You don't want too hot or too cold

[@lkwittmayer]

Don’t you create a memory line that will make burn uneven and not accurate?

[@steviepramuditaw4814]

Hello, im from newbie candle maker Indonesia, and i have watched many videos about wickless testing, and i interested with it, and then i try to do that, but my wick always fall after it burn to the wax..

[@BlackTieBarn]

Yep. Its definitely a problem sometimes.

[@iluvdramarock]

Wao okay. Was planning to do that. Good to know about the cons part. Now another thing. To do the testing does it have to be full or half? I heard that few candle makers don’t fill it up, just half way thru? Not sure if you did the video on this topic.

[@BlackTieBarn]

I mention it on my other full Teating video. But... You definitely can dress than fu if you want. Especially starting out. I wouldn't wouldn't guess than 2/3rds full though. And, I'd still follow up with a full candle after you have picked a winner. The reason is because candles burn different early on at the top then down at the bottom. I want to feel confident it burns well throughout the entire candle. :)

[@iluvdramarock]

@@BlackTieBarn 🙏 thank you. Would definitely have to rethink everything and I agree about how the behavior act different. I do know that I would need to test and retest for every fo and wax because they will not behave the same. I think I will stick to wax melt for the time being while I accumulate profit to cover the test. Thank so much for your awesome videos. Definitely gonna check that out.

[@withlovebyads]

Thank you for this video Sir. It was really helpful. I wanted to ask 2 questions please: 1. Is it possible at all to not have any mushrooming? I thought I'd finally found the correct wick. No smoking or soot, it has an even melt pool but slightly mushrooms. Is that a fail? 2. If I use a wooden wick is there any way possible to stop the wood from turning my wax that light brown colour please? Does the UV inhibitor you speak of help this at all? Thank you in advance for your reply 🙏🏾

[@BlackTieBarn]

Thanks for the kind feedback. :) 1) yes, it is possible to get no mushrooming. I have several candles thst never or rarely mushrooms even if never trimmed. But that is very hard and takes tons of time and testing. AND it's not really possible for every wax/jar/wick/oil combination. A little mushrooming is normal and fine. 2) it's tough. Wlodwicms just ash and the burning wood discoloration the wax. Some waxes and oils cause it happen more than others. Not much you can do. Kinda the nature of wooden wicks unfortunately. Sometimes they do it, sometimes they don't. They mostly do though. No, UV Inhibitor won't help. That's purely about discoloration caused by UV rays... not other discoloration.

[@withlovebyads]

@@BlackTieBarn Thank you so much for your response. It was so, so helpful 😊

[@Brendaninc]

Great video - I use the regular tester method. When testing, how many candles do you make? We do a 1lb batch and split into 3 ~6oz net jars.

[@BlackTieBarn]

Depends. When working with a wax and jar size I am very experienced with, 3 or 4 at most. With less experienced one, usually 6 or 8

[@Brendaninc]

@@BlackTieBarn thanks for the response, Wade. Appreciate it. Would love to see you walk through your testing approach in creating a new candle (i.e. which tests do you perform, what are characteristics of a good candle that you test/look for, etc.). Love what you’re building on here man!

[@BlackTieBarn]

No problem. Also, check out the other videos on the channel. They cover a range of topics. Including one on testing just like you were asking about. Here is a direct link to it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnmxkpSjetxjd9U But definitely check out the other videos as well.

[@Brendaninc]

@@BlackTieBarn I just finished watching that one - was exactly what I was looking for. Thank you! 👍

[@MochaVR8011]

Hey Wade have you heard anymore about the HTP wick substitutes?

[@BlackTieBarn]

hey Caleb. I know this is an old question. But, I would have expected them much sooner but the pandemic derailed sourcing and raw material supply everywhere. I see them trickling in randomly across suppliers

[@MochaVR8011]

@@BlackTieBarn Is there any one specific supplier or just keep an eye out to all companies? And thanks for responding Wade👍

[@BlackTieBarn]

@@MochaVR8011 Id just check around. Ask Flaming Candle, Aztec, Lonestar, Natures Garden, etx. There are so many so Id just contact them. And np!

[@gigigigi5181]

This issue is that once candle gets to a little over half burnt the wick floats and all that wax is wasted unless it has FO and can be used in a melter at home

[@BlackTieBarn]

Yup! Exactly

[@creativegemarts]

hello, I wanted to know if anyone has tried to add your FO first in your candle jar and then the wax?

[@BlackTieBarn]

I wouldn't. You want to add the fo to your wax at a certain time into a pouring pitcher of some sort. Then mix very well before pouring. It's possible to try and do this in the jar itself but your trying to stir and work around the wick. Would be difficult

[@jillmahabir8870]

Great video. Thanks wade

[@BlackTieBarn]

Np! Thanks Jill!

[@thejoneslounge]

I’d rather eat the cost than experience wickless testing. I want to know how my candles burn.. as I make them. Wickless is hypothetical. You need a secure wick. Otherwise the results ‘could’ be different and I’m not ready to bank on that.

[@BlackTieBarn]

Agree 💯 I just see it recommended so often so I felt making a video would be a good idea. I don't think it's a great idea and wanted to point out the reasons why. Thanks Amanda!

[@thejoneslounge]

@@BlackTieBarn Thank you!

[@tancok6547]

Thanks for the tips. I'm sure you've already tested a lot. Don't you have some kind of blueprint?

[@BlackTieBarn]

Yep. I have other videos about my testing steps and process. But test results of other candles with different freshener oills or materials aren't the same. New materials need tested. It's a new recipe

[@tancok6547]

@@BlackTieBarn Thank you very much for your answer. You have a really great KZbin channel ;)

[@lisac150]

Disagree with the name “wickless testing”. You’re still using a wick it’s just removed and a new one inserted.

[@BlackTieBarn]

I mean... I agree, lol. But they mean "wickless" when they pour the candle ;)