When properly made, gel candles can be a safe and beautiful addition to your home. When purchasing a gel candle, just like any other product, find out the measures the manufacturer takes to make sure their items are safe. For example, only one company has the patent on candle gel and that is Penreco. They make sure their gel meets certain safety standards. A few gel candle companies do not use Penreco, they use gel made by themselves or others which means it can vary from batch to batch. Not to say that those gel candle companies do not use safety measures, but Penreco ensures it's product is 100% consistent.
Please take a moment to check this link and read Penreco's Product Bulletin Penreco
Penreco has set forth guidelines for gel candle makers to use when making candles using their gel. For example, the fragrance you use must go through a test to make sure it is gel safe. You must use a certain amount of fragrance in your candles and not exceed the limit. You must not use flammable objects inside your candle (such as plastics, wooden, paper, silk or dried flowers, real candy), unless these items are protected by a piece of glassware inside your glass that houses the wick. In other words, you do not want the wick to come into contact with any of the above mentioned embedded objects. They are flammable.
It is the responsibility of the consumer to read and follow the warning labels that are attached to the bottom of your candle. They are there to protect you. Think twice about purchasing any candle that does not carry a caution label, whether it be wax or gel.
Gel wax burns hotter than paraffin. The meltpool of gel wax can be as high as 275 degrees F, while the meltpool of paraffin only 170 degrees F. Do not attempt to move a burning gel candle as the container will be hot to the touch and could result in a burn. Gel candles require fragrance oils that have been specifically formulated for use in gel – minimum flashpoints of 170 degrees or higher. As a consumer, when you purchase gel wax and fragrance oil to make your own candles, read the packaging info on your fragrance oil. It should tell you that it has been formulated for use in gel candles. If it doesn’t, don’t use it. Gel candles also require fragrance oils that are non-polar. This means the fragrance oil blends with the melted gel and does not separate (similar to oil & vinegar). Take some time to blend and stir your gel-safe fragrance oil into the melted wax. Incomplete mixing of fragrance can cause an irregularly burning candle. Glassware selection is important. Choose your glassware wisely. Discount glassware may not be suitable as it will not stand up to the heat of a melting gel candle, and breakage could occur. If your glassware doesn't stand up to the heat of a dishwasher, chances are it won't stand up to the heat of melted gel wax. Lead-free zinc core wicking is recommended by Penreco Corporation. Zinc-core wicking stands straight in your hot gel during manufacture and burning. Wick size is important as well. Make sure your gel candle supplier carries proper wicking for use in gel candles. Keep your gel candle wicks trimmed, otherwise you can create a very large flame with non-uniform combustion.
NEVER LEAVE A BURNING CANDLE UNATTENDED.
Be an educated consumer and be safe! For more information on Candle safety, please read NFPA Fact Sheet by clicking here,
NFPA Facts on gel candles
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FRAGRANCES
How to do a Polarity Test on Fragrance ? Gel fragrances have been formulated to meet the guidelines based on Penreco's recommendations. However, you as a consumer, should conduct a polarity test on every fragrance you purchase from suppliers. This is a two-part test.
Part One: Take a small glass (a flower pot votive works well). Wash and dry the glass thoroughly. Measure 1 part fragrance oil and 3 parts mineral oil (pharmacy-grade) into glass and stir. Wait a couple of minutes then hold the glass up to the light and look for any separation bubbles or cloudiness in the mixture. If the cloudiness does not clear up within a few minutes, this fragrance is considered polar and should not be used for gel candles. If there are any separation bubbles, this fragrance should be considered polar and not suitable for gel candles.
