Common Candle Defects and Issues

At Modern Candle, we do extensive testing before going into production, ensuring the best-made candle will burn as it should.

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At Modern Candle, we do extensive testing before going into production, ensuring the best-made candle will burn as it should.
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Candle Manufacturing

Common Candle Defects and Issues

November 11, 2022
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Lynette Reed
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Candle Manufacturing

CANDLE DEFECTS AND ISSUES


Each candle is unique, and many are still made by hand, so no two are exactly alike. A candle formula is complex, and how it will react in the vessel with the wick if made by a reputable manufacturer will eliminate most issues that can arise. At Modern Candle, we do extensive testing before going into production, ensuring the best-made candle that will burn as it should. However, some things cannot be avoided, and they need to be understood by consumers.


The single most common one heard is, "there are bubbles in my candle". What customers are referring to is what might look like a large bubble but is just a very slight pull away of the wax from the inside edge of the glass and is known in the candle industry as "wet spots ." This creates an optical illusion to make this minute space look much bigger than it is due to the curvature of the glass. It is nearly impossible to prevent this, and it is only noticeable in clear glass. Wax is a fluid substance that changes with temperature, it expands when warm, thus pressing against the glass and making the smooth "no bubble" appearance, and when it gets colder, it contracts, which pulls it away from the glass and then gives the appearance of "bubbles". It is essential to note that this does not affect the burn or quality of the candle. Many brands use opaque glass or ceramic to prevent consumers from seeing the pull-away. Some waxes are better at adhering to the glass, and we use the best possible waxes available at Modern.


Another common issue that is heard is, "my candle is sweating". Sweating is when you see little beads of fragrance/oil that have risen to the candle's surface (sometimes even small pools). This can happen when a candle is moved from one temperature to another (from cold to warm) and is most common with 100% soy wax as soy wax is hydrogenated. The natural oils of the wax can separate with temperature variations. Also, 100% soy doesn't hold fragrance oil or other blends, particularly at higher fragrance loads. At Modern Candle, we prefer all-natural wax blends of soy, coconut, and palm (sustainably certified), as our blends tend to minimize sweating, hold a high fragrance load and perform better than 100% soy.


Frosting and cracking are most common with 100% soy, and while they do not affect the quality of the burn, they also do not look appealing to most consumers. Frosting is simply a white-ish coating on the candle's top and side. Cracks are simply cracks that frequently happen if the candle cools too fast in the manufacturing process, but they can also happen with 100% soy candles regardless of it cooling too fast or precisely as it should. 

Modern Candle does everything we can to prevent these issues, but they are sometimes unavoidable with 100% soy.

Thank you!

Lynette Reed

Lynette@modern-candle.com