Gel Candle Book UPDATES:

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also see: Book Resources

This information should not be your sole information source... It is up to you to keep current of Gel Candle design and safety information through your Suppliers and by being active in the online Gel forums.

The following information is in no way the ultimate source of information,
nor are we endorsing any product/service.

We assume no risk or liability associated with the information/products/service/suppliers.

Note: This material is NOT intended to be used by children
under 16 years of age without close adult supervision.

Please read our Disclaimer for additional information.

Do not use flammable items in your candle!

REMEMBER:

• Do not insert flammable items into your gel candles, unless you have a fire-proof / heat - proof barrier between them and the flame, also known as the double-glass method.

• Test, test, test your designs before selling or giving the candles to anyone.

• Never leave a burning candle unattended.

• Gel Candles are a growing and evolving medium and new designs; supplies, ideas, formulas, resources and quality are constantly developing and can change. Always contact your supplier for the most current information about using their products, product safety and to answer any questions or concerns. Make certain that your supplier knows you are using their product for gel candles and that the product is safe for gel candle making.

• Keep up-to-date: become active in one or more of the gel candle forums, talk to your Suppliers.

• If you have any questions, or concerns, please contact your Supplier.

Update March 2001

• Coffee Beans are flammable! They can catch fire! We do not recommend using any flammable item. If you still choose to use them in your candle design, it is best to use nested glassware, unless you are making the coffee candle as a wickless smelly-jelly. To make the nested glassware design: the smaller inner glass will hold your gel and wick. Place it into the larger outer glass and fill between the glass walls with the coffee beans and gel. The larger outer glass holds the gel and beans. The inner contains the gel and wick. The glass wall of the smaller glass keeps the beans from the flame.

• Do not use coffee beans to top the Cappuccino Candle unless it is wickless.

• Beware of trademark issues for using/selling items such as NFL glasses, Coca Cola, Matchbox Cars and other trademarked items.

Update: April 2001

• One person in a forum said that a glass bead broke (on the wick) ... you should be aware of it... Again... do not use flammable items... There is no need for the glass bead if you are not using flammable items!
• AUGUST 2002:

  Important Bead Update:
  According to Patti Smith of Biomax1.com... The whole purpose of the bead on the wick is because we are unable to get wick tabs with long enough stems to do the trick of 100% protecting the bottom suface of ALL glassware...in other words, to always insure that the glass will not heat too extreme and break when customers allow the candle to burn to the very bottom. It is also recommended to always use a glass bead above any sand base because over time, the sand could absorb the gel and become a wick by itself.

  The bead is an additional 'safety net' to guard against the customer who willingly, OR forgets, and leaves the candle burning in the last inch of the gel. They have burned many, many of their candles (along with hundreds of customers) with the glass beads that they supply... NONE have broken and ALL have extinquished the flame.

  Patti says some people are using other beads, incorrectly... loose 'pony' beads for example...and they don't always give the same good result because the bead needs to fit snuggly to automatically snuff the flame.

  The purpose of Biomax's push for the beads has nothing to do with flammable objects, which they will never endorse embedding flammable objects in the same compartment (WITH beads nor without) as the wick. Some thicker glassware can withstand this heat.. some cannot. It just isn't worth the risk and liability as a candle manufacturer, so we need to guard against customers who could burn the candle down too far.

  The bead is a very simple and viable answer (and additional safety precaution) in ADDITION to the extra long wick stems that are currently on the market for gel candles--which we ALWAYS recommend.... When dealing with fire, there are NEVER too many precautions!!

Update: May 2001

Heat Gun: beware of using heat guns on glassware (you should not use thin glassware for any gel candle design.) Be careful to not let the glassware get too hot if you choose to use this method.

Update: June 2001

• Be certain that you understand the precautions in making any gel candle design, in using any gel candle procedures and in using the gel candles.

• If you have any questions... contact the author for additional information.

• Depending on the source, be sure to contact the author or the author via the editor, or via the forum manager or via our editor if this newsletter.
  

• Additional information: Tip Sheet on Candle Safety
  (National Fire Protection Association)

Update: July 2001

• Contact Penreco regarding Gel Candle Safety and Product Safety Bulletins

Update: August 2001

Update: September 2001

• Opinions & design ideas expressed are not necessarily those of this publication, website, editor or company.
• We are not endorsing any product or company.
• WARNING! It is up to YOU the candle maker to TEST TEST TEST each design prior to distribution as sales or gifts. We do not recommend or endorse the use of flammable items, dead sea creatures, or real food items in gel candles. If you choose to design with such items, as in any design, it is up to YOU to ensure that the design safe for the end user.
• Always provide instructional warnings to end user, especially to not leave any burning candle unattended.
• Before lighting any candles, review safety precautions at: http://www.candles.org/UseAndSafety/candlesafetytips.htm
• Be certain that you understand the steps in making a design and using the candles.
• All pictures and references to food are to "non-edible" items made of non-food (wax, glass, etc) components.
• Disclaimer

Update September 2001

!! WARNING!!!

Please read this Strong Warning!
As always... it is up to YOU the candle maker
to Test Test Test Designs!

It has always been our policy that we do NOT
recommend flammables in Gel Candles.
We are NOT endorsing using flammables in Gel Candles.
If YOU DECIDE to proceed with this design, YOU must
find a way to Anchor the Tube to keep it from
Falling over as the liquid gel around it melts.

If YOU CHOOSE to use this design... Warn End Users...
As with ALL designs to
NOT leave the burning candle unattended!

Update: December 2001

The Exploding Gel Candle scare continues to circulate the Net.

1. Be certain that you are using the safe glassware. Your glassware should not be "thin". If it says "Hand wash only" that's one sign that it's too thin.
2. Be certain that you are using the proper gel. We recommend using Penreco Versagel brand gel.
3. Be certain that you are using gel safe fragrance.
4. Click here to see what Penreco has to say about the Exploding Gel scare circulating the Internet.
5. Contact Penreco regarding Gel Candle Safety and Product Safety Bulletins
6. Click here to see what UrbanLegends reports
7. Additional Gel Candle Safety Tips

Update: September 2002

At this time, this candle paraffin is still being tested by various suppliers and candle makers. Some gel chandlers, however, have mentioned experimenting with the gel by adding extra resin to the gel base in an effort to make the gel candle free standing (without glass). At the time of this writing* this is a dangerous practice and you should be aware of the risks. First of all, you are changing the mix-formula that has been created by Penreco. They have a team of chemists creating the proper gel-mix for gel safety... why would you mess with that? Additionally, while in theory the hope that the gel would be "tighter" with the additional resin, forcing the wick to burn down the center of the candle, there is no control over this in reality. You should also be aware that the harder resin mixture would burn a hotter gel candle. This in itself is enough to make any gel candle maker cautious and to steer clear of such practices. There is absolutely no reason to experiment in designing and providing a dangerous candle to the public. Please keep gel candles safe by using safe gel candle procedures and designs.

*Future advancements in technology may make this a possibility... ask your supplier if you have further questions.

Update: October 2002

As discussed elsewhere -- When not in use, be certain to cover your stored gel candles with a candle lid. Gel is a dust magnet -- and it is best to keep the candles covered so that they will stay clean between uses

Update: December 2002

We are recommending that you use the Forever Candle designs for your candles. The outer glass (The Mother Container) holds your design, gel, color and fragrance; while the inner smaller glass (the Child Container) holds your clear gel and wick. This keeps the wick/gel away from your designs; preserves the gel design in the outer glass; allows the end user to replace the Child Container with refills (supplied by you) or to place a paraffin candle in the child container.

The outer glass (Mother Container) may also be filled with water in place of gel; allowing the end user to fill the glass with items you supply or items she desires to use... again protecting the items from the gel/wick in the refillable child container.

This information is provided with the understanding that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering legal, financial, or other professional advice. Laws and practices often vary from state to state and if legal or other expert assistance is required, the services of a professional should be sought. The author and publisher specifically disclaim any liability that is incurred from the use or application of the contents of this publication / website.

Gel candles may resemble a beverage or food product. All pictures and references are "non-edible" items made of nonfood (wax, glass, etc.) components. Be certain that you understand the steps and precautions in making any gel candle design and in using the gel candles. Failure to follow instructions could result in fire, injury or smoke damage. If you have any questions contact your Supplier.

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