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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.
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.
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.
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.
Be
certain that you are using the proper gel. We recommend
using Penreco Versagel brand gel.
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.
Editor's Note:This information is designed to provide competent and reliable information regarding the subject matter covered at the time it was published. However, updates to the topic and its industry is ongoing and it is up to you to educate yourself about current procedures regarding this topic. It is up to YOU the candle maker
to TEST TEST TEST each design or procedure prior to distribution
as sales or gifts. It is up to you to contact your Supplier and ask questions about updated procedures, design tips and products.
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.
It is not recommend to use
flammable items, dead sea creatures, or real food items in
gel candles. It is recommended that you double glass your designs, with the wick and gel in the inner glass, away from the design and gel in the outer glass. It is up to the designer to ensure that the design is safe for
the end user. You/Designer should provide instructional warnings to
end user, especially to not leave any burning candle unattended.
Never leave a burning candle unattended. This material is NOT intended to be used by or made by children under 18 years of age without close adult supervision. Keep
all candles (gel, soy, wax) away from children. Anyone
younger than 18 years of age needs adult supervision to make
or handle Gel Candles.safety
Burn candle only on a stable, heat-resistant surface
for no more than four hours at a time. If flame gets too large
or exposed wick is greater than 1/4 inch, extinguish flame and
trim wick. Keep away from drafts and flammable material. Do
not allow matches or wick trimmings to fall into melt pool.
Never burn the last half of a candle. Do not move while burning
or if gel is still hot. Keep wick centered and trimmed to 1/4 inch to prevent smoke
and soot buildup. Do not extinquish gel with water -- if possible smother the flame, or use baking soda for small flames, or a fire extrinquisher.
The opinions expressed
by the authors and advertisers are not necessarily those of
this website, corporate directors, officers and employees; nor is website endorsing any product or company, nor is it responsible for any information presented herein. Disclaimer.
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