Pro Tips
5 Biggest Candle-Making Myths (And What Actually Works)
Mar 6, 2025
Candle making is both an art and a science, but over time, many misconceptions and myths have spread within the community. Some of these myths can lead to mistakes in the candle-making process, while others might prevent beginners from achieving high-quality results. In this guide, we’ll debunk the five biggest myths about candle making and explain what actually works to create beautiful, long-lasting candles.
Myth #1: The More Fragrance Oil You Add, the Stronger the Scent Throw
✅ Reality: More fragrance oil doesn’t always mean a stronger scent—there’s a maximum fragrance load that wax can hold before it negatively affects burn quality.
Why This Myth Exists: Many beginners believe that simply adding extra fragrance oil will result in a stronger hot throw. While scent throw is important, overloading wax with fragrance oil can cause issues like sweating, poor burning, and wick clogging.
What Actually Works:
Follow your wax’s recommended fragrance load (typically 3-12% depending on the wax type).
Use high-quality fragrance oils specifically designed for candles.
Allow candles to cure for at least 24-48 hours (soy wax may require up to 2 weeks) to fully bind the fragrance to the wax.
Ensure you add fragrance oil at the correct temperature (usually 175-185°F / 70-75°C for soy wax) so it binds properly.
📌 Pro Tip: If your candle still has a weak scent, try adjusting the wick size or testing a different wax blend rather than adding more fragrance oil.
Myth #2: You Can Use Any Wick in Any Candle
✅ Reality: Choosing the wrong wick size or type can lead to tunneling, excessive soot, or an uneven burn.
Why This Myth Exists: Some beginners assume that all wicks work the same, but different waxes, container sizes, and fragrance loads require different wick sizes and materials.
What Actually Works:
Match the wick to the wax type (e.g., soy wax requires larger wicks than paraffin wax due to its denser composition).
Choose the correct wick size based on the diameter of your container:
2-inch diameter → Small wick
3-inch diameter → Medium wick
4-inch diameter → Large wick
Use wood wicks for a modern aesthetic and crackling sound, but ensure they are properly sized to avoid weak burns.
📌 Pro Tip: Always conduct a burn test before selling or gifting candles to ensure your wick performs correctly.
Myth #3: Soy Wax Always Has a Weak Scent Throw
✅ Reality: Soy wax can have an excellent scent throw if used correctly.
Why This Myth Exists: Some candle makers struggle to achieve a strong hot throw with soy wax, leading them to believe it’s naturally weaker than paraffin. However, the problem usually lies in wax quality, fragrance load, or curing time.
What Actually Works:
Use a high-quality soy wax blend that is specifically formulated for strong scent throw.
Let soy candles cure for 1-2 weeks to allow the fragrance to fully bind.
Experiment with fragrance oil percentages within the recommended range (3-10% is ideal for most soy waxes).
Consider blending soy wax with coconut wax or a small amount of paraffin to boost scent throw.
📌 Pro Tip: Try preheating your candle jars before pouring wax to help with scent dispersion and adhesion.
Myth #4: You Must Always Do a Second Pour to Fix Sinkholes
✅ Reality: While a second pour can fix sinkholes, proper pouring technique can prevent them altogether.
Why This Myth Exists: Sinkholes occur when wax cools too quickly, causing air pockets to form around the wick. Many candle makers assume that a second pour is always required to smooth the surface, but this isn’t always necessary.
What Actually Works:
Pour wax at the correct temperature to minimize shrinkage and air pockets.
Preheat your containers to reduce sudden temperature changes.
Pour wax slowly and steadily to prevent air bubbles.
If a sinkhole forms, use a heat gun to re-melt the top layer instead of doing an entire second pour.
📌 Pro Tip: If you frequently experience sinkholes, adjust your cooling process—candles that cool too fast are more likely to develop imperfections.
Myth #5: Essential Oils Are Better Than Fragrance Oils for Candle Making
✅ Reality: Essential oils often don’t perform as well as fragrance oils in candles.
Why This Myth Exists: Many people associate essential oils with being “natural” and assume they are the best choice for scented candles. However, essential oils have low flashpoints, don’t always bind well with wax, and often produce weak scent throws.
What Actually Works:
If using essential oils, choose those with a high flashpoint (above 170°F / 76°C) for better stability.
Blend essential oils with natural fragrance oils to improve scent throw and longevity.
Use waxes that hold essential oils well, such as coconut wax or beeswax.
Be aware that essential oils may evaporate over time, leading to weaker cold and hot throw.
📌 Pro Tip: Many professional candle makers use high-quality fragrance oils with natural essential oil components for the best results.
Final Thoughts: Mastering Candle Making with the Right Knowledge
Understanding the truth behind candle-making myths will help you create higher-quality candles with better burn performance, stronger scents, and fewer production issues. By following proven techniques instead of misinformation, you can improve your candle-making process and build a more successful business.
In my Candle Making Course, I teach tested methods to achieve a strong scent throw, choose the best wick for each candle type, and troubleshoot common issues like frosting, tunneling, and uneven burning. You’ll also get access to my recommended supplier list for high-quality wax, fragrance oils, and wicks at the best prices.
Want to learn the real secrets to professional candle making? Join my Candle-Making Course (click here) and start creating candles that look, smell, and burn perfectly!
Happy candle making!
