Candle sinkholes, why they happen, how to fix and prevent them

[@CrackuhDon]

making candles for the first time as Christmas gifts. I was flabberghasted as to why these holes were forming. Thank you so much! Christmas is saved!

[@skronkel]

FINALLY I understand why this happens! Thank you for explaining the reason and providing solutions!

[@Wootette]

Okay. This has to be the best video I've seen on troubleshooting sink holes. Thank you for posting this.

[@mllecoline1961]

Thank you!!! Omg it’s so frustrating when I melt down pillars & repour into jars and get those holes!!

[@CarlosPerez-vl3vi]

This is glorious, been searching for "candle making with soy wax flakes" for a while now, and I think this has helped. You ever tried - Peyaniel Psychological Predominance - (do a search on google ) ? It is an awesome exclusive guide for discovering the trick to be a candle maker for profit minus the headache. Ive heard some interesting things about it and my partner got cool success with it.

[@zoemeow7677]

i love your candles!

[@hollytaylor608]

I just got back into candle making & use them to heat my cabin when the temp drops. Never thought I'd need heat in Hawai'i, but up around 3000'+ elevation by Kilauea, it's been low 50's to high 40's at night this winter. I love it. The dogs hate it. I got outvoted. So my first batch looked great initially. They pushed up like a choc chip.The temp was dropping when I was pouring. 30 minutes later they sunk below the pour. The wax wasn't very hot, the jars were mid 60°. Came here for a tip & makes sense. Next batch I'll do an afternoon one. Now I'm wondering if elevation or humidity play any part...🤔 Next rabbit hole please 🫤

[@kaitlinf6929]

Thank you. My sister and i just poured our first batch of candles today!

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

That's awesome! What wax did you use?

[@kaitlinf6929]

@@StandleyHandcrafted a soy wax with citronella. They're for a greenhouse.

[@thecandlejourney2500]

Thank you so much. I had some holes in my last test batch and it's the first time it happened. I suspect my jars were a little too cold!

[@jameshenderson3498]

Thank you I appreciate the information

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

My pleasure, I'm glad people are liking them

[@kellsgreenidge8885]

Thanks for sharing this informative and helpful video.

[@TheScentedVineBackup]

Excellent info! I've been trying to determine the best pour temp (using GB 464) to maintain the fragrance and avoid sinkholes.

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

I don't actually get too many sinkholes with soy, that wax does not expand and shrink too much at all which is great. For soy I try to add my FO a little lower just because it takes so long to cool and that cooling time is just time to let scent leak out.

[@misspractical]

Mine don't necessarily have holes, more like they are all sinking in toward the middle. I used a torch to lightly melt it as shown and it worked! However, my wicks were starting to slightly burn no matter how I melted the wax.

[@SaturnCrashing]

Same issue with me. It’s more of a caving in next to the wick

[@heathersmith3953]

Awesome video! Thank you!

[@MimiBondi]

Phew! Thank you for this easy fix and explanation, much appreciated 😊😉🙏

[@earthglow]

Thank you SO much for this.

[@stephaniediaz1322]

Thank you you saved me a whole batch

[@jmathis1496]

Thank you!!

[@simplybjscreations3115]

Thank you for the helpful info!

[@rokyochan]

Thank you so much! I need to ask, how many hours do I have to leave my candles dry (soy wax) before fixing the holes? For example, I make candles today and fix them tomorrow? Thank you :)

[@misspractical]

I leave my beeswax candles 24hrs to fully cure. They smell better the longer you wait

[@marcyrock5041]

Thank you much appreciated! I was about to throw the whole candle away 🗑

[@Missmvmaria]

Your video is so beautiful and full of informations

[@bernadettedennis463]

Thank you I thought it was because I changed wax. This is very helpful.

[@inmemoryoflael]

Thank you! Extremely helpful!

[@bryan6169]

Thanks for the info, have you tried putting jars in warm water trays as they cure? How about a low level vibration as used in deeper concrete pours, construction background, let me know if you have attempted or heard of these before as I will attempt when weather gets warm as I work in garage. Thank you forwardly.

[@CaskeyHunsader]

I don’t think vibration would work as a method. The cratering occurs over time as the inside of the candle is still liquid when the top cools. Vibration wouldn’t affect that. A warm water bath sounds interesting and could work.

[@Lu31ishLu]

Thanks for these very informative videos.. keep them coming please😄

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Lu32ishLu Thank you!

[@jendenryter8939]

So simple, yet so amazing. Like a chump, I've been putting extra wax aside to do a second pour, this would be much more efficient!

[@lavajones68]

So the heat does not burn off the top layer of scent that your customer would be sniffing? Hmmm. Poke a whole then do a second pour for optimal cold throw. But hey maybe I'm wrong. Still learning.....

[@riverrat7356]

Hey I’ve tried Everything you just mentioned: a cooler wax pour, poke with a chop stick, a heat gun ( which always catches my Wick on fire ; (it looks like a used candle after that) …. Interestingly, occasionally one will not have a slump and I don’t know why . …because they’re all poured the same and I’ll get one that doesn’t get a sinkhole… like a minor miracle if there such a thing. My problem is that I’ll pour them in color stripes and if I have to reheat them sometimes the color stripes blur together too much or blur together on one side only which is not very attractive. So , My final fix more often than not is to Simply fill in the Sinkhole with more wax..

[@merihamilton9711]

Thank you

[@erikalaz2523]

You are so clever! Thank you very much! Would you know why my soy candles all of a sudden look oily/tacky on surface? Cheers from Australia 💯👍🌸🌟

[@SNiiFiinPAiiNT]

Yez, so informative!

[@cbpapp]

Hi Jeff, do you fix the candles before they completely dry? Thanks for the suggestion to do a brief second blast to smooth the tops. Thank you 🙏🏻 again for all your helpful solutions. You’re a gem!

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Love4Life1 I fix mine a few hours later once they harden a little.

[@cbpapp]

Standley Handcrafted thanks for your reply, Jeff! I appreciate it. That is what I did earlier today. The second blast for 5 seconds is helpful! I don’t know why I’m getting sinkholes because I do pour at a lower temp. Happy Holidays to you and your family!🙏🏻💗🕯🎄

[@hamidahahmad574]

Would warming the jar in hot water before pouring another option if you don’t have a heat gun ... would it worked ?

[@daphnegerry9318]

Thank you!!!!! Helps so much!!!

[@hemtet5500]

I would really have liked to have seen the heatgun in action

[@norakravit313]

gracias standley

[@isanpang4982]

Thanks for this amazing video, would like to ask why does my candle surface isn't smooth? And how can I prevent this?

[@ReneeStJames]

Hey Jeff! I love your page and follow all your great videos!! Quick question for you....Weve been making soy 464 candles for almost a year...love the wax and make in mason jars 16 oz. The challenge we are having is the candles look great most of them :) ...a few have a sink wholes here and there. We just made a big order for a market we are selling at and out of 70 candles maybe 10 had sink whole so we poked relief wholes in them and heatguned the tops. Now the out side of the jars have wet spots that is just so displeasing looking :( we heated up the jar but the wetspots keep coming back....ugg. For the other 60 candles the jars look beautiful and the tops are super smooth. Long story short if we poke wholes/heatgun those just to make sure there is not a hidden sink whole we are afraid we will have all our candles with those displeasing wetspots on the out side of the jar! Do you think we are okay not poking wholes in the tops of the 60 that look really good or should we heatgun/poke just to make sure? Do you poke relief wholes in all your candles even if they look super smooth on the top? Thank you so much for any insight/recommendations!!

[@Jan.S]

Great video, would a blow dryer work? thanks

[@buildingourhomestead0]

I know this comment is a year later, but absolutely not. I tried a hair blower and all it did was make a mess. There is too much air flow through them and they splatter the melted wax all over the jar, yourself, and everything around it. I ended up just buying a heat gun from Harbor Freight and it works just fine.

[@engizaki2055]

@@buildingourhomestead0 me too a real mess and it created bumps and lost the smooth aspect of the surface

[@megs875]

Thanks for the video! Do you have a heat gun you recommend?

[@healthscents368]

Thanks I will remember that 😃

[@deborahspindler950]

Hi Jeff, Thanks for the videos. Could you tell me what size wood wick you use for the 8 oz. jar that you are using? I have learned so much from your video's. I am selling only locally. I have made candles for a long time for just myself, but recently found myself unable to work outside of the house due to an illness. I thought I would lose my mind if I didn't find something that I could do. This fits my abilities and I have family help to do local shows in the Fall. Thanks again, you helped me up my game!

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

The medium wood wicks from Lone Star Candle Supply work really well. They are a touch too big but it is not a problem at all.

[@deborahspindler950]

Do you soak the wood wicks in wax first?

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Not with these new wicks, you place them, pour the wax and light. They're great!

[@jessicafiasco]

Hi, thanks for the awesome videos! You've helped me get started in candle making. I have a question about the IGI 6006 parasoy wax. I've made my candles with this wax and I tested my candle by burning it, but after I've burned it for the first time there's a weird texture at the top after it's cooled down. Is this normal?

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

What kind of texture? maybe too much oil, is it oily or does it look like the top has liquid?

[@jessicafiasco]

For some reason I can't post a picture, but I was thinking it might be from burning the candle for too long? After its cooled after burning it looks like craters at the top of the candle.

[@aleiciaphillips4314]

Information on the heat gun please?

[@TawnyWolf11212]

I sent this to BBW in a tweet and got blocked. Now I'm mad.

[@tulip6747]

Thx

[@Kp-yr7yv]

Where can I get good wooden wicks? Most sites I only see cotton

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Lakesha Preston www.woodenwick.com

[@bigmomma9401]

Thank you😩

[@samanthahaley862]

I believe I have the same heat gun. Do you use it on low or high?

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Samantha Haley I used this one on high but it burned out and I have a new one now. I use the new one about 3/4 heat

[@ShanaCali]

As a preventive measure do you recommend just doing this technique to all your batches? Or do you have someone else become a quality control "customer"?

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Chris and Shana Which technique? Pouring hot and fixing?

[@cynthiacoutre]

How do I choose a heat gun for this? What temp do I need to get to? Aren’t there ones with different temperatures, or dual settings? Is there any benefit to having a dual temp heat gun?

[@lorrainecanady5902]

Hello love your videos! With th IG 6006 which wicks you use? Do you like the scent throw better than soy?

[@robinfeliciano9787]

Wouldn't it also be a good idea to have them cool slowly? Like put them in a warm place or put a box over them? I'm trying out this wax and that is what I have found that has helped. But I'm having Wick issues. Could you tell me the best wicks for these? I know CD wicks are good and the https

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

You can definitely help them by cooling slower. You will lose a little more fragrance doing that, but it should not be anything real significant.

[@cheriec.8034]

Well, not sure what to say about this suggestion to warm the candleholder first before pouring. I put my jar in the oven at 170° for about 10 minutes just to heat it up. Took it out and poured my candle solution into the warm jar. The result looks awful. I still have dipping all around the candle it is not smooth on the top. UGH....

[@sherrinrosette7901]

Beautiful candles 🕯

[@OnlyJesusSavesSinners-gy3he]

Heat gun brand suggestion? I read scores of reviews online, yikes!

[@riffdex]

Where do you get the wooden wicks?

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

www.Makesy.com

[@HiyamAwartani]

What is the type of heat gun you are using

[@ashleylafleur6832]

Should you poke all around the wick and fill in with a heat gun even if there are no visible deformities on the surface just in case?

[@julianboyd8719]

No, that will likely just create more problems

[@vjpearce]

It might sound like a silly question, but would placing a tea cosy over the top help prevent sinkholes?

[@niclitoris]

Do you have a recommendation for temps? I’ve read about some crafters heading to a certain temp, putting at a certain temp and cooling at a controlled temp. I’ve poured fast at high n low temps as well as pouring in layers and I always get sinkholes and air bubbles. Super newbie, I’ve mostly combined old candles together with new wicks before I spend $ on wax and supplies. TIA!

[@ToMeTheFool]

I might have a sinkhole in mine. I'm also seeing separation from the glass. Should I just completely melt my candle down and let it cool as slowly as possible over a radiator overnight?

[@jakahlabroussard2497]

does the color of the jar affect the candles as well??

[@nancystevenson562]

If you don't have a heat gun, can you use a hairdryer on hot?

[@ed98027]

Thanks Jeff that's very helpful. I'm thinking about switching from GB464 to IGI6006 and I learned that sink hole will be a problem. This video is just what I needed. Do you recommend a mini heat gun or a heavy duty one?

[@maryconner9173]

So if you let it cool to the lower temp what temp should you heat it to?

[@ilovemotor]

Hi Jeff, will I lose scent on the top since I’m using the heat gun ? Sometimes I have to heat for quite a while if the hole is big

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

No not at all. I made a video showing the heat gun on top for several minutes and the candle still had great hot throw. You won’t lose much oil at all.

[@jessicapinto3817]

I heated a jar with left-over candle wax, took it out of the water and stuck the wooden wick in there. I came back the next morning and there was a sinkhole so big I saw spelunkers in there. So there was no pouring and the jar itself was hot from the bain-marie it was in. How do I prevent these?

[@Herschelhimself]

Will this work on sphere candles?

[@Facetsofclarity]

Hi Jeff! Love your videos! What type of wicks do you prefer for the IG6006 candle wax? Thank you!

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Michelle Sills Thank you so much! I use HTP wicks in one jar and I absolutely love wood wicks. I prefer the ones from Lone Star Candle. Both work great for IGI6006

[@Facetsofclarity]

Standley Handcrafted I am using CD wicks. I love the look of the wood wicks! Keep up the wonderful videos!

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Michelle Sills Thank you very much 🙂

[@jskellenger9355]

When I fix my sink holes when using GB444 wax, my wax melts and slides down in between the candle and jar. Then it really makes the candle look awful. Am I heating the top too long? Or am I waiting to long when the candle is curing?

[@Ashcash1607]

So I did what you suggested with the heat gun but now they starting to look like they have these crackling lines in them with these frozen look 🤦🏾‍♀️ I have no idea on how to fix this matter. Please I need your advice 🙏🏽

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Ashley Brown Whatvtype of wax are you using and how long did you melt the tops?

[@Ashcash1607]

Standley Handcrafted I used the candle science golden brand 464 soy wax and the black dye cubes I don’t know if I used too much color dye for it but when I did the same for my tin candles but the time time I tried it for the glass jars they just look crazy 😕

[@Ashcash1607]

I meant to say my tin candles came out perfect but the glass jars didn’t

[@ashleylafleur6832]

@@StandleyHandcrafted, I’ve had this happen too. Why is that and what should I do about it? I use 444.

[@michoish9476]

Thank you! If you don’t have a heat gun, could you just put them in the oven after poking with the chopstick?

[@nadeaarrct]

Hi, did this work for you?

[@peachyrosey8673]

Can I use hairdryer instead of heat gun ?

[@GhanaGirlLovesChrist]

I’d like to know too

[@peachyrosey8673]

@@GhanaGirlLovesChrist hi it worked but it takes a bit of a time and you have to put it on high heat lowest fan and a bit further from your candle or iT will make a huge mess

[@brentona]

Hi there! Quick question. When you are using this heat gun, are you ALWAYS using the high setting (or at least when this video was shot)? I am looking to purchase a heat gun and am flooded with options. Any help you can provide would be appreciated! Thank you

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

I use the high setting all the time. A basic one from Home Depot will work perfect.

[@heming-waynecandleco5466]

We use low to prevent wax splatter

[@debbiehardy2068]

I made candles in wine glasses and they got sinkholes can i use this method on them

[@georgiastannard6780]

do you do this on every single candle? omg

[@Victoriaearth143]

Can I use a blow dryer to heat it up?

[@MrAntiRascist]

Too much mess 😁

[@tisawiranata]

I saw space around the jar inside my candles, how can I improve.

[@chaterinenatasia8362]

Try to keep your jar in warm temp, like dipping it into warm water. I've heard about this from other vid, good luck!

[@lehcar19991]

Do you hit them in a microwave and should they be heated right b4 I pour

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

lehcar19991 I’m not a fan of heating jars. Wet spots happen even if you do that so I save time and skip that part.

[@lehcar19991]

@@StandleyHandcrafted thank you

[@h.d.6342]

Do I wait until the candle has cured to fix the sink hole?

[@tiffanycote5532]

Good question. I was wondering the same thing

[@petedigiacomo2445]

Hey do you fix it when it’s dried?

[@julianboyd8719]

Yes, wait for the wax to dry before hitting it with a heat gun

[@petedigiacomo2445]

@@julianboyd8719 thank you 🙏

[@aankrum1]

Hey, Jeff! Do you use a medium size wood wick with the 8 oz jars?

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Mrs. A I have used them but they’re a little big. They work very well and produce a strong hot throw but they burn a little quicker

[@aankrum1]

Standley Handcrafted so do you use a small wick then?

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Mrs. A I use the mediums in the 8oz jar if I end up using them. The small is too small so the medium works better. I mainly use cotton in these jars

[@aankrum1]

Ahhhh ok! Thanks! I’m using an LX18 wick in the 8oz jelly and I love it but want to add the wood wicks to some of them. Do you know how if I would have to wick up (wood wicks that is) if I use them in 100% soy candles?

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Mrs. A No the mediums would work just fine in those with soy. 🙂

[@carolward2536]

can I use a hair dryer?

[@paumiller74]

No hair dryer won't work. Makes it to messy, etc per other comments

[@Panterahape]

Can you use a blow dryer instead lol ?

[@tranvu8046]

Many thanks, I've been looking for "candle making party" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you ever come across - Cenadoelyn Candle Contemplation - (search on google ) ? Ive heard some incredible things about it and my friend got cool results with it.

[@ElizabethDermody]

You can't exactly just poke holes in candle that your planning on sailing....Don't do that ...just do it the right way. If your pouring and cooling is good this won't happen..

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

@@ElizabethDermody That’s incorrect. Harder waxes will have sinkholes and even pouring cooler you still need to check for sinkholes. This particular wax being one of them. Especially in taller or narrow jars. Poking holes exposes them more so you can fill them in and make them 100% for sale.

[@lifestylebeautytodaykaymil6535]

I used this wax and it turned brown.

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Did you use a fragrance that had vanilin in it? Anything with vanilin will turn an off color.

[@moodswinging4406]

Do you heat your jars before pouring? I am testing this by putting my jars in warm water before pouring at 65-55 degrees. The warm jar has 0 sink holes and a neat finish. The other two look like hill tops😂😂

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

I never heat up jars. I’ve never seen much of a difference in doing so and a big time sink.

[@ParisSunset]

Thank you!

[@asincere357]

Thank you

[@akshaya1558]

Thank you

[@storytimewithannamarie61]

Thank you