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Penreco's Response
"Can
you tell me more about the gel
candles that explode?"
"Do
you have any information regarding Gel candles exploding?"
We addressed
this topic in July 2001... but the Internet seems to
continue to circulate this misinformation. As
such... we are posting the July 2001 reply here again:
Penreco
Responds: Exploding Gel Scare
While the
forums were posting messages about the stories of exploding
gel... We were receiving emails asking about this hot
topic:
Email:"I
have made and sold many gel candles. Because of the
e-mail that is circulating a lot of people are scared
to purchase the candles. Could you please let me know
is there truth to the e-mail or is it a hoax."
Email:"I
am concerned about Email sent to me about the gel candles
burning a house down because of an explosion from the
gases it creates. Help!"
Email:"Have
received info that on occasion jell candles have exploded
and caused injury and fires. This is very disturbing
info. Can this be true? Please respond. Thanks"
Email:
"I wanted to share an email with you I received
the other day. Your remarks/ comments will be greatly
appreciated. This email seems to be going all around."
We decided to take this issue right to Penreco
Our
thanks to Ed Potter of Penreco for his response (as
follows):
"I
have seen the recent exploding gel candle story that
is making the rounds on the Internet. Penreco has spent
a lot of time and money researching the origins of a
gel candle fire. This is quite simply why we have released
all the information that we have to the market place
regarding the results of our work and recommendations
for producing a safe candle.
"Most
gellers know the criteria that we have released for
fragrance selection; minimum 170F flash point and non-polar
in nature. We also provide the maximum fragrance loads
recommended for our gels.
"Candle
flares might occur when the improper fragrance is selected,
the concentration is too high or the fragrance oil is
not well mixed. Low flash point or polar fragrances
can reduce the flash point of the total candle system
to a point that could coincide with the higher melt
pool temperatures of gel candles.
"When
the fragrance oil is not well mixed pockets of lower
flash point fragrance can develop in a burning candle,
when the flame hits this pocket the flame will spread
across the melt pool. If enough heat is generated from
the flames it has the potential to explode the glass.
"The
examples we have seen of this occurred at the bottom
of the candle because the sides of the candles allow
for the heat to build up.
"The
recent story mentions a gas building up and exploding,
this is untrue. No gases are emitted from burning a
candle gel made with Penreco gel.
"Gel
candles are not wax candles. They do burn at higher
temperatures than wax candles and the candle maker should
take the extra precaution to find out as much as possible
about all of the safety factors involved with making
a safe gel candle. Once they have an idea in mind they
should produce several prototypes to test before offering
it for sale to anyone.
"Penreco
is committed to supplying the safest product possible
and we continue to research this technology to provide
additional safety data as it develops.
"One
additional thought before you add these comments to
your newsletter. It should be understood and I would
want to emphasize that all of the safety work we conducted
was with Penreco candle gels, based on the oils Penreco
uses and at the polymer ratios that Penreco produces
to.
"I
would never state that our safety data automatically
transfers to any home made gel or some of the gels that
are offered on various Internet sites. Unfortunately
some sites that I know are not selling our gel are promoting
and using the safety factors we developed to market
their gels.
"Please give me a call if you need anything
else. Thanks, Ed (Potter) "
More about
Penreco here...
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