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Triethenolamine, also often seen as TEA, is an emulsifier, but nothing I would personally use. From what I have read, it can be known to cause allergic reactions, and it has toxicity issues in regard to aquatic life, and it does end up down the drain; (there are also some other studies about it...

Yes, that is some good information, especially for someone like me who likes to make novelty candles, but also has concerns about any toxins that might be involved in the candle burning in closed up quarters in the cold of winter! I think there must be some vast differences in the paraffin...

How pure is the paraffin wax that is used for candles? I know there is a food grade paraffin that is refined to pull out impurities, but I don't think that's the same paraffin wax that is used in candles. If the wax that is used for candles is "pure," then why would there be a "food grade"?

I've been making candles with paraffin wax for a long time, so I don't have anything against it. However, to say that paraffin candles don't emit any toxins would be like saying that beeswax doesn't help purify the air. Of course paraffin has a down side, and now that soy wax is becoming...

The 2% additive has nothing to do with not sticking to votive molds -- it's a container wax -- the additives are there to enable the soy to be poured at a hotter temperature reducing frosting and increasing fragrance oil load -- that's it! I'd like you to have a good experience with this, so...

Yes, some of the youtube videos over-simplify to be sure!! Often, they don't tell you everything you need to know -- sometimes I get annoyed if I watch them, some of them leave out so much critical information, it's horrible! I hope you have some nice cold throw from your melts! (I only needed...

From some reading I've done, it seems that the EcoSoyaPB is probably a nice wax, and you can scent it up to 12%, so that should make for nice votives! They say to add scent at no less than 145dF (61.1°C). It might be nice to start with about five pounds (or less?) just to try it out and see...

I think there's always going to be a place for paraffin candles, but the more I learn about the composition of the material, the less there is to like in regard to issues such as indoor air quality. It (paraffin) emits hydrocarbons and contains chemicals which are not the healthiest things to...

I agree that the various waxes are all different. I have not experienced the frost-development issue over time, so probably some waxes do that, but not all. As for soy candles, I can't agree with this statement: "there is no ecological or health advantage to using it" -- it's derived from a...

I read that it may help reduce frosting on the CB135 to pour at a lower temp (100df), but it said to do that if you constantly mix until poured ... that's too much work for me! I haven't read anything or any recommendations about mixing the two waxes (the CB135 and PB), so I don't know if that...

I'm using GW444 ... it is heated to 185df and cooled to about 135df -- I haven't had any frosting issues, just a little adhesion problems here and there on larger sized glassware. I believe the GW464 is supposed to be better with glass adhesion, but the scent load is a little less than the...

At first I assumed it was a recipe that had already been used, but I see what you all mean about it being too many additives. It's things like this, Irishgirl that can sometimes get you experimenting where you otherwise would not have. The math seems tricky to me (lol, as all does!) about...

The frosting has to do with the temperature of the wax -- what it's heated to, and at what temp. it's poured. All of the waxes seem to have varying temps. at which to do this. For the EcoSoya, I think the temp. needs to be raised on the heating, and lowered on the cooling. For specifics, I'll...

Did you cut the soap base into little pieces?

I've never used palm wax, but I think I probably have an issue with the use of palm, lol, which I feel a need to explore! (This having to do with palm plantation monocultures in place of rain forests, but that's an entirely different topic!) I think the Honey and Oatmeal and Sweet Potato and...

I only make candles, I've never made melts. It kind of sounds like the scents may have been lost during the process. ...? What are the flashpoints of your scents?

I agree with this, but in reading the .pdf, seeing Tea Tree Oil as listed as something that is not currently being evaluated (but could be in the future) ... I'm not sure about that one exactly.

Thanks all, I'll try not to be a nuisance!

I think it would be safest if you find a "Pillar Blend" wax for your votives. Although I haven't gone in the direction of making votives as a project, I think if I wanted to make a bunch of them, I might try something like EcoSoya PB ... it's still a soy wax, but it's been designed to use in...

Where votives are concerned ... how are people getting these out of the molds nicely if they are 100% soy? I'd love to be able to do that! I make soy containers and have tried pouring excess wax into votive mold with a wick pin ... the pin sticks, the candle sticks -- if put in frig, it gets...