Beeswax cracked

[ladyrose]

I use beeswax for lipbalms and lotion bars but I wanted to make some ornaments so this is the first time I am using straight wax. I poured the molds and while they were cooling they all cracked. Why is this? They are just sitting on the counter at room temp. I was thinking of making some beeswax candles but now I am worried they will crack too. I know there must be a reason for it. Thanks.

 

[Wax Munky]

The only thing I can think of is maybe your pour temp.Or the room being too cold and they fractured..Probably not that.. :roll:

Did you add anything to the wax?


Munky.

 

[ladyrose]

The thermostat says 75. It's warm here today. I used pure beeswax. I also had a very diffucult time getting them out of the mold. I thought that beeswax is supposed to shrink? It didnt at all and even if it didnt crack in the mold it would have cracked when I was trying to pry it out. Oh well, I will try again.

 

[carebear]

I'd suggest putting your mold up on a rack when cooling - the counters might be colder and kinda pulling the heat out of them faster than is good for beeswax.

Also, I use a mold release agent in my metal candle molds. I don't know if that would mar your ornament molds, perhaps a silicone spray might help (I use one for commercial bakeries in my soap molds).

I've not attempted beeswax candles. Yet.

 

[GrayWolf]

I'm the new kid on the block here. I'm still learning stuff all the time. Most of my stuff is beeswax. I am also using a colonial candle mold. I was to that you need to insulate the outside of the mold to slow the cooling process down. In my case that requires wrapping the taper tubes. In the case of a cylinder or square mold. Try wrapping a towel or using newspaper to insulate the candle. If the candles are sticking in the mold, run some water over the mold. Depending on how hot you have it. It should release. Don't melt too much ! Just enough to release.

 

[beelady]

Hey, I know this is pretty late for a post but I joined not long ago and saw this post while browsing.

I keep bees for a living so I have a fair amount of experience with beeswax. Shrinkage cracks are common when pouring large blocks of wax (like a bread loaf). It's pretty unusual to get shrinkage cracks while working with a regular small mold, although some shapes can be problematic. Don't know what you were pouring into so it's hard to comment.

GrayWolf had some good advice.

Beeswax is best poured at a temperature of about 170º. You don't want to overheat it and you should melt it in a double boiler; it's very flammable. Shrinkage cracks can usually be prevented by slowing the cooling process. I'll sometimes even warm my oven to 200º, turn it off, pour the wax, and put it into the oven to harden. (I generally don't do this except for big items or when pouring a 1# "block of wax" for our state honey show.)

Also, if you can't get the finished item out, spray with mold release beforehand. I like polyurethane molds because sticking is not an issue, and use them almost exclusively.