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Troubleshooting: Common Problems

Safety First

Always work with proper ventilation, use heat-safe equipment, monitor temperatures closely, and keep a fire extinguisher nearby.

Wet Spots (Container Pull-Away)

  • Cause: Glass temperature swings or poor adhesion
  • Fix: Pre-warm containers, pour at lower temps, cool slowly away from drafts

Sinkholes / Craters

  • Cause: Rapid cooling or wax contraction
  • Fix: Heat gun to level surface, do a small second pour (2–3 mm)

Frosting (Soy/Beeswax)

  • Cause: Natural crystal formation from temp changes
  • Fix: Pour slightly warmer, cool slowly, accept as natural character

Tunneling

  • Cause: Wick too small or short initial burn
  • Fix: Up-size wick, ensure first burn melts to container edge (1–3 hours)

Mushrooming / Soot

  • Cause: Wick too large or fragrance overload
  • Fix: Downsize wick, trim to 1/4" (6–7 mm), keep fragrance ≤ recommended %

Poor Hot/Cold Throw

  • Cause: Low cure time, incorrect temp/fragrance type
  • Fix: Add FO at proper temp, cure 3–14 days, test different FO loads and wicks

See also: Quality Control • Testing Methods