| Bubbles are awesome little creatures, always showing | | | | first candle at a high temperature, but the gel |
| up and leaving when you least expect them. You can | | | | temperature for subsequent candles can easily be |
| go to bed with a perfectly clear gel candle and wake | | | | 50^F. (10^C.) less, if the pan has been removed |
| up to discover hundreds of bubbles where there | | | | from the heat. |
| were none. In simple candles with nothing embedded | | | | 3. Pretreat all ceramic, glass and metallic items. |
| in it, bubbles can transform a plain candle into a | | | | If you are planning to embed items in the gel candle, |
| stunning one, plus they capture the light and glow | | | | whether ceramic, glass or metallic, you should preheat |
| when the candle is lit. Bubbles are also nice to have | | | | them by placing them in a pan with a small amount of |
| around when they tie in with a candles design theme, | | | | melted gel. Watch the items for bubbles. If no |
| such as an aquarium candle or a beer stein candle. | | | | bubbles appear, use tweezers to carefully remove |
| Tips to Conquer Bubbles | | | | the items, holding them over the pan until the gel |
| Virtually all bubbles are caused by one of three | | | | solidifies. If the items do bubble, leave them in the gel |
| things, which are the heating temperature of the gel, | | | | until they stop, stirring occasionally. If an item |
| reactions between the gel and items in your candle, | | | | continues to bubble for more than a few minutes, |
| and produced while pouring the gel. | | | | look for a replacement item unless you're willing to |
| If you really want bubble-free gel candles, you will | | | | have bubbles in your finished candle. |
| need to use an arsenal of bubble-ridding techniques. | | | | Additional Tips To Conquer Bubbles |
| Use one, or all, of these techniques, depending on | | | | Avoid using items made with glue, glue often reacts |
| your patience level and your willingness to | | | | with the gel and creates excessive bubbling. |
| experiment. | | | | If possible, pour the gel at an angle, as you would a |
| Three Techniques to Reduce Bubbles | | | | beer, to minimize bubbling. |
| 1. Heat your containers. | | | | Presoak your wicks in some melted gel and watch |
| Preheat the containers in a 175^ F. oven (79^C.) for | | | | for bubbling. When the bubbling stops, lift the wick |
| about 10 minutes. You can put the container(s) into | | | | out, wait 30 seconds, then run your fingers down the |
| the oven right after you place your gel on the | | | | wick to remove excess gel. |
| stove-top. Then when you pour the gel, you're | | | | Stir your newly poured gel with a bubble stick. You |
| pouring hot gel into a hot container. This should aid in | | | | can find plastic bubble sticks in almost any craft |
| keeping bubbles from forming. | | | | store. Just place the stick in the gel and gently stir it |
| 2. Heat the gel to it's highest (safe) temperature. | | | | through the gel in a swirling motion. |
| Remember to follow the gels manufacturer | | | | Place newly poured candles in the refrigerator as |
| recommendation. Generally, the higher the pour | | | | soon as possible and leave them undisturbed for |
| temperature, the fewer the bubbles. When heating | | | | several hours. |
| gel to high temperatures, always keep a close watch | | | | The above are techniques I was taught to use when |
| on the gel because with just a few minutes of | | | | making gel candles. Actually, since I only make |
| distraction, the gel can easily cause a grease fire. This | | | | scented candles to use in my home, I couldn't care |
| can be avoided by monitoring the gels temperature | | | | less about bubbles. So, if you are diligent and are |
| while melting. When you go to pour the gel, continue | | | | making candles to sell at Craft Shows you might |
| to monitor the temperature, especially if you are | | | | want to try one or all of the techniques listed. I hope |
| pouring multiple candles. You may have poured the | | | | you found this article helpful. |