| I heard that gel candles are more dangerous than | | | | with every candle and that you purchase them from |
| regular wax candles: | | | | reputable candle makers. |
| I counted 82 recalls for candles listed on the U.S. | | | | Gel candles are 95% common food grade mineral oil |
| Consumer Product Safety Commission website; of | | | | and 5% resin. |
| those, only 5 recalls were for gel candles. | | | | Gel candles cost more than wax candles. |
| Gel candles do burn hotter than wax candles, so | | | | Sometimes gel candles may be higher in price, but |
| great care must be taken by the candle maker to | | | | keep in mind that these candles burn 2-3 times longer |
| insure that the glassware used to contain the gel be | | | | than wax ones so you are getting quite a good deal. |
| of sufficient strength so as not to explode when the | | | | Plus, the unique designs that can be made with the |
| candle is burned. Gel candles also burn 2-3 times | | | | various embeds makes gel candles quite special. |
| longer, so the glassware can be exposed to greater | | | | News reports say gel candles are using lead wicks. |
| heat for longer periods. It is important that the | | | | I make gel candles and would have no idea where to |
| consumer purchase gel candles from a reputable | | | | even purchase lead wicks. All of our candles use a |
| retailer, who appreciates these issues with the | | | | zinc or tin wick and that goes for both gel & |
| glassware. | | | | wax candles. I heard that some foreign countries use |
| Be sure to follow the instructions that are included | | | | lead wicks, but I can't confirm this. |