Bumbleberry Bliss: Fragrant Candles With A Nature-Inspired Twist

Bramble Berry fragrance oils can be used in candles, but it is recommended to make a small test candle to ensure the scent is to your liking when warmed. The fragrance oil should be added when the wax is around 165-185° F so it mixes well and stays strong. The amount of scent to be added can be determined using the Bramble Berry Fragrance Calculator. The fragrance should be allowed to sit for at least 2 days before using the candle.

Bramble Berry fragrance oils can be used in candles

Bramble Berry offers a wide range of fragrance oils that can be used in candle-making. These high-quality fragrance oils are perfect for those looking to create professional-grade candles at home, with captivating scents that are long-lasting and potent.

Variety of Fragrances

Bramble Berry's collection includes a diverse range of fragrances, from rich, warm scents to fresh, vibrant aromas, as well as refreshing herbaceous profiles and floral blends. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced candle maker, you can easily find the perfect scent for your project.

Testing Fragrances

Before using a new fragrance oil, it is recommended to conduct a small test. Make a sample candle with the fragrance to ensure that you like the scent when it's warmed and that it's strong enough for your preference. This is also a good opportunity to test the fragrance's strength, as candles don't need to be skin-safe, allowing for a higher concentration of fragrance. The Bramble Berry Fragrance Calculator can help determine the appropriate amount, typically starting at 4-6% of the total weight, but you can go as high as 12%.

Adding Fragrance

To ensure the best results, add the fragrance oil when the wax is at a temperature of 165-185° F. This temperature range allows the fragrance to mix well and ensures a strong scent. After adding the fragrance, let the candles sit for at least two days in a cool, dry place with the lid on. This allows the fragrance to fully develop before use, ensuring your candles fill the room with their delightful scents.

Wick Selection

The choice of wick depends on the size of your candle. Bramble Berry offers a range of wick sizes to suit different candle diameters. For smaller candles, narrow wooden wicks work well, while larger candles benefit from wider wooden wicks. Additionally, consider the type of wax used. If using a wax with a high melting point, such as beeswax, a larger wick is necessary to accommodate the higher melting point.

Troubleshooting

If you notice any bumps, frosting, or wax pulling away from the container, it's likely due to temperature fluctuations or the wax cooling too slowly. Maintaining a room temperature of at least 70° F can help. You can also place the candles in a warmer area, such as the top of an oven or a laundry room, to prevent these issues. Additionally, using a heat gun a few inches away from the candle's top for 2-3 seconds can smooth out any imperfections.

Test fragrance compatibility with a small test candle

Testing fragrance compatibility is an important step in candle-making. It ensures that your candles are safe to burn, perform well, and smell amazing. Here is a detailed guide on how to test fragrance compatibility with a small test candle:

Step 1: Prepare Your Materials

Select the wax, fragrance, and container you plan to use for your candle line. Choose a container that is consistent with your desired product, as this will reduce the number of tests needed. Prepare a container with a wick appropriate for the jar size. For example, if you are using beeswax, you will need a larger wick to account for the higher melting point. Cut the wicks and place them in the container before or after pouring the wax.

Step 2: Label Your Container

Label the jar with notes about the fragrance used, fragrance load, wax type, and wick size. This will help you keep track of your results and make any necessary adjustments.

Step 3: Prepare the Candle Wax and Fragrance

Prepare your candle wax and fragrance in a melting pot, following the manufacturer's instructions. Typically, the fragrance should be added when the wax is around 165-185° F to ensure proper mixing and scent retention.

Step 4: Pour and Cure Your Test Candle

Pour the wax and fragrance mixture into your prepared container. Let the candle cure for at least 24 hours. For more accurate results, it is recommended to cure the candle for two weeks. This is an important step as the wax continues to harden during the curing process, and an incomplete cure will impact the accuracy of your test results.

Step 5: Gather Testing Supplies

Gather a thermometer, a timer, and a notebook or device for recording your observations. These tools will help you accurately assess the performance of your test candle.

Step 6: Light Your Test Candle and Observe

Light your test candle and start your timer. Make notes on various factors, including container temperature, melt pool size and depth, flame height, scent throw, and any other relevant observations. For accurate comparisons, record these observations at regular intervals, such as once every hour.

Step 7: Evaluate Your Results

After your test candle has burned for 2-4 hours, extinguish it and evaluate your results. Observe the container temperature, melt pool size and depth, flame size and movement, scent throw, and any signs of excess soot or smoke. Compare your observations with the criteria of a properly wicked candle:

• The flame should be approximately 1" tall.
• The flame burns smoothly without excessive flickering.
• The wax melts across the entire surface of the container.
• The melt pool depth is between 1/4" and 3/4" when fully melted.
• The container temperature is not excessively hot (should not exceed 140° F).
• The flame does not produce excessive soot or smoke.

Step 8: Make Adjustments as Needed

If you are satisfied with the performance of your test candle, you can proceed to the next stage of candle-making. However, if adjustments are needed, make additional tester candles with different wick sizes or types. Repeat the testing process until you achieve optimal results.

The amount of scent to add to a candle

Bramble Berry fragrance oils can be used in candles. The amount of scent added to a candle depends on the desired strength of the fragrance. A good starting point is 4-6% of the total weight, but this can be increased to a maximum of 12%. If more than 12% fragrance oil is added, the oil may separate from the wax and pool on top of the candle.

The Bramble Berry Fragrance Calculator can be used to determine the amount of scent to add to a candle. However, if you find that the recommended amount is not strong enough, you can add more fragrance oil. It is worth noting that candles do not need to be skin-safe, so more fragrance can be added than would be used in products like soap or lotion.

When adding fragrance oil to candles, it is important to ensure that the wax is at the right temperature so that the fragrance mixes in well and stays strong. For soy wax, the ideal temperature range is 175-185° F, while for beeswax, the range is 160-165° F. This ensures that the wax molecules are fully expanded and can hold onto the scent, distributing it evenly as the candle burns. After adding the fragrance oil, stir gently for about 1-2 minutes to avoid creating air bubbles in the wax, then pour at the recommended temperature and let the candle cool.

It is recommended to make a small test candle with each scent to ensure that you like the way it smells when warmed and to check that it is strong enough. This is because fragrances can smell different when burned in a candle than they do in the bottle. Testing each scent will help you determine the right amount of fragrance oil to add to achieve the desired strength.

The best time to add fragrance oil to wax

Adding fragrance to candles is a fun and easy way to help your creations stand out. However, the timing of when to add the oil to the wax blend is crucial to the candle's performance and scent. Adding fragrance oil when the wax is too hot or too cold can negatively impact the fragrance's potency.

The optimal temperature range may vary slightly depending on the type of wax. For soy wax, it is recommended to add the fragrance oil when the wax is around 155-165° F (68-74° C). For palm wax, the recommended temperature is higher, at 200-205° F (93-96° C). It is crucial to know the melting point of the wax you are using and to ensure that the wax has fully melted before adding the fragrance oil.

Additionally, it is important to consider the flash point of the fragrance oil, which is the temperature at which the oil becomes combustible. For flash points under 130° F (54° C), add the fragrance oil at or below this temperature. For flash points between 130-180° F (54-82° C), add the oil at or slightly below the designated flash point. For example, a fragrance oil with a flash point of 155° F (68° C) can be added at 140-150° F (60-65° C) or exactly at 150° F (65° C). For flash points above 180° F (82° C), avoid adding the fragrance oil above this temperature.

Once the fragrance oil has been added, stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure it is fully incorporated. Then, let the candles sit for at least two days in a cool, dry place before using them. This allows the fragrance to develop and ensures the candles will fill the room with scent when burned.

How to choose the right fragrance oil

The right fragrance oil can elevate your candle-making experience and take your scented candles to the next level. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect fragrance oil for your needs:

Understand Your Preferences and Purpose

Know your aroma preferences and the purpose of each space where you plan to use the candles. For example, comforting scents like vanilla, cinnamon, or amber can create a warm and inviting atmosphere in your living room. For bedrooms, opt for calming aromas like lavender, rose, or sandalwood to promote a peaceful environment. Citrusy fragrances such as lemon, orange, or grapefruit are ideal for kitchens as they mask cooking odours. To maintain a fresh-smelling bathroom, choose invigorating scents like eucalyptus, mint, or ocean breeze.

Consider the Candle Type

Different types of waxes behave differently when holding onto scents. Regular wax candles may not retain fragrances for long, while soy wax or beeswax candles typically provide longer-lasting fragrance retention. Therefore, it's important to consider the type of wax your candle is made of or that you intend to use.

Assess the Quality of the Fragrance Oil

When selecting fragrance oils, opt for known brands that use premium natural ingredients and adhere to industry standards for fragrance formulation. Reading reviews and seeking recommendations from trusted sources can help you identify reliable brands with high-quality fragrance oils that align with your preferences.

Experiment and Test

Don't be afraid to experiment with different fragrance oils and combinations. Before committing to a large bottle, consider purchasing samples or smaller bottles to test how the fragrances interact with your candles and the surrounding environment. Diffuse the fragrances in various rooms to gauge their performance and make sure you enjoy the scent.

Understand Fragrance Notes

Fragrance notes play a crucial role in the overall scent profile of the oil. Top notes are the lightest and most volatile, typically consisting of citrusy, herbal, or green scents. Middle notes form the heart of the fragrance, adding depth with floral, spicy, or fruity scents. Base notes are the heaviest and longest-lasting, often featuring woody, musky, or sweet scents.

Determine the Strength

Consider the strength of the fragrance oil to achieve your desired scent intensity. Highly concentrated oils provide a stronger scent but tend to be more expensive. If you prefer a lighter scent, opt for less concentrated oils, which are usually more affordable and easier to work with.

Product Compatibility

Certain fragrance oils perform better with specific products. Lighter oils, such as citrus or green scents, work well in lotions or liquid soap as they don't overpower other ingredients. Heavier oils, like musk or wood scents, are better suited for candles or solid soap as they can withstand heat and require less quantity to fragrance the product effectively.

Frequently asked questions