Candle making is a great hobby that can allow you to be more creative in your free time. In order to make good quality candles however, you have to learn about the process as well as the most common problems.

Knowing which issues happen the most often with homemade candles will help you avoid correcting them at the end of the process.

One of the more basic, but really annoying problems could be cracks on candles. 

Our blog post dives deep into why this issue occurs and offers practical solutions to ensure your next batch is perfect. Read on and let's get those candles smooth!

Key Takeaways, Why Candles Crack ?

• Candles can crack if they cool too quickly; ensure a gradual cooling process by keeping them in an environment with stable temperature away from drafts.
• Air bubbles trapped in wax during pouring lead to weak spots and cracks, so pour slowly and tap the container to release air or use a heat gun on low to smooth out the surface.
• Centre the wick before pouring wax into it, secure it properly, and choose the right size for your candle to prevent uneven burning that causes cracks.
• After making candles, let them cool at room temperature without sudden changes in temperature for a smooth finish.
• Properly trimming your candle's wick to 1/4 inch before each burn is important for preventing excessive heat which can cause cracking.

Why are candles cracking?

Cracks on your candle can appear on the top as well as on the side of the candle. You can spot tiny and shallow ones, but it’s also common to have bigger and deeper cracks on the candle. They start appearing during or after the cooling process.

The most common reason for cracking is issues with the temperature. What does that mean exactly?

If you store your candles at an unsteady temperature, it can result in cracks on the candles. The same goes for too high or too low temperature, as the suggested temperature would be between 20-25°C.

With this logic, it is easy to see that it’s also not suggested to try speeding up the cooling process with air conditioner or by placing them in the fridge.

Finally, one small aspect most people forget is to place the candles far away from each other. By placing them too close together, the heat will get trapped and they will cool unevenly.

How to prevent it candles cracking?

Based on the information above, the key to avoid cracks on your homemade candles is to be very cautious with the proper temperature.

That means both the temperature of the room and the setting which allows them to cool evenly, as well as the temperature of the wax and the containers when pouring.

Apart from temperature, there is one more thing that you can do in order to be sure – and that is the heating and pouring process itself.

If you stir the melted wax too excessively, you are going to create small air bubbles which will get trapped during cooling.

And when it comes to pouring, doing it too fast will have the same effect resulting in more air bubbles. The trapped air bubbles can easily result in cracks on your candle.

How to fix cracked candles?

With all the right process and temperature, you can still end up with small cracks on your candles. In this case, you might have a chance to fix them.

The easiest solution would be using a heat gun. With that, you can easily make the smaller cracks disappear. In case of bigger cracks on the top of the candle, you can use a bit of extra melted wax and fill the cracks up with it.

Even though cracks are not the easiest problems to fix, preventing them is rather simple. If you know the proper process of pouring and cooling candles, you can altogether avoid having cracks on your candles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding why candles crack can help avoid future issues. Proper cooling, eliminating air bubbles, and careful wick placement are key preventative measures. By taking these steps, you can enjoy crack-free candles for a more pleasant and long-lasting experience.

FAQs

1. Why do my homemade candles have cracks on the surface?

Your homemade candles might be cracking due to the wax cooling too quickly or unevenly, which often happens with soy wax candle issues and beeswax candle troubleshooting.

2. How can I prevent my candles from cracking when I make them?

To prevent your candles from cracking, make sure to cool them slowly and evenly, avoid drafts, and troubleshoot any wick concerns that could cause uneven burning.

3. What should I do if I find a crack in my candle wax after it has hardened?

If you discover a crack in your candle wax after hardening, try reheating the top layer of the wax carefully to fix the cracked area smoothly over again.

4. Can air bubbles cause my candles to crack and how can I prevent this?

Yes, preventing air bubbles is key because they can expand when heated during burning, resulting in cracks; ensure proper stirring techniques and slow pouring to avoid this problem.

5. If my candle glass is cracked, what does this mean for its quality and fragility?

Cracked candle glass indicates a problem with candle care or an issue during the making process; it means your candle has become fragile and you must handle it with caution avoiding further damage.