Bubbles & Cloudy Gel

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Bubbles or no bubbles? The decision is a matter of taste and often depends on the design.

Do you want your candles to have more clarity and fewer bubbles?

Remember the rule: the hotter the pour (210°F* using a candy or candle thermometer), the fewer the bubbles. (*Do not exceed 230°F or the Supplier’s recommended flash point! (See: Safety First and Heating and Pouring The Gel).

But many times this won’t produce the clarity you are seeking. Gellers seek ways to produce perfectly clear gel. They wonder over how to find a way to set the gel quickly enough to suppress not only the bubbles, but also the sinking of my suspended items.

Some Gellers like using the following process...

The Crystal Clear Process:

As soon as you have finished pouring the gel, carefully (gel will be hot!) set the gel inside of your refrigerator to hasten cooling. As soon as the gel has cooled, remove the candle from the refrigerator.

The candles made using this technique have been mostly successful as crystal clear, with the embedded items staying suspended. Some caution that this process will cause moisture in the gel. You will have to test.

Other Clear Solutions:

• Heat the glassware for about 1-2 minutes in a 175°F oven prior to pouring the gel.

• Use Wick-Stickum to secure the wick to the container, rather than hot-gluing the wick tab. (Ask your Supplier).

• Pre-dip any items to be embedded in the warm gel. Some items, like shells, have crevices and spaces where air gets trapped and consequently makes bubbles.

• Be sure that your embedded items, such as seashells, are dry and clean.

•  Do not stir with a wooden spoon, as it creates bubbles and can cloud your gel.

Ways to Repair Clarity

The Oven Method:
Heat the finished candle in a warm oven (175°F) until the bubbles are gone and then cool slowly.

• Be careful handling the warmed candle. Protect your hands and keep the candle as steady as possible so the gel does not shift while cooling.

• Be sure to keep checking the candle while it is in the oven. Sand and ceramics may darken. Embeds may shift and suspended embeds may start to sink. If this happens, promptly remove the candle from the oven and use a skewer to prop the item back into place as the candle cools. It may not be possible to reposition the suspended items without making additional bubbles.

The Heat Method:

• Using a heat lamp, heat gun or hot hair dryer on the surface of the container to remove bubbles. Heat tools are available online or at some of the large craft stores. Be careful to not burn your skin or to let the glass get too hot.

The Sunlight Method:

• Setting the candle in direct sunlight may get the bubbles out. Keep a watch on your candle and embeds using this method also.

Cloudy Gel
Cloudy gel can be caused by several factors:

Too many bubbles can sometimes cause a candle to appear cloudy. Along with the guidelines to creating No Bubbles Gel, the following additional reasons can cause your candle gel to cloud:

• If you are using a pre-mix formula to make your own gel, you may have used too much resin, did not let the solution “rest” long enough, or did not cook the gel formula properly. Be sure to carefully follow your Suppliers instructions.

• Your fragrance oil is likely the culprit. Review the chapter on Fragrance Oils. Be sure that you do not over-scent the gel and that the fragrance oil is oil-based.

• You may have no other remedy than to remake the candle. See: Starting Over.

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.

Get updated information about the gel from Penreco, Before lighting any candle (gel or wax) review safety precautions here. If you have any questions contact your Supplier; if you are the end user contact your Gel Candle Maker.

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