Candles & soap making
How to make a candle testing log to compare wick performance, scent throw, burn time, and soot production.
A practical guide to building a structured candle testing log that reveals wick efficiency, fragrance dispersion, burn duration, and soot levels while ensuring repeatable results across batches and brands.
July 16, 2025 - 3 min Read
A well designed candle testing log is an essential tool for makers who want consistent results across varieties of wax, wicks, and fragrance oils. Start by defining a clear objective for each test so you can measure the outcomes that matter most to you. Include fields for batch number, blend type, pouring temperature, and cure time, because these factors subtly influence burn behavior. When you record data, aim for precise timestamps and objective observations rather than vague impressions. Create a standardized scoring system for aroma strength, melt pool symmetry, and flame stability, which makes comparisons straightforward. As you collect more data, you’ll begin to see patterns that guide material choices and process tweaks with confidence.
A practical testing log benefits from a simple, repeatable layout that you can reuse with every new candle. Use a dedicated notebook or a digital sheet with fixed columns for key metrics: burn time, flame height, melt pool diameter, wick type, and fragrance level. Include a place to note environmental conditions such as room temperature and humidity, since these influence scent throw and burn quality. For each test, light the candle in identical conditions and observe for a fixed period, recording any deviations or unexpected behavior. The goal is to minimize subjective interpretation by anchoring judgments to measurable indicators and clearly defined thresholds.
Track burn time, soot, and visual cues with precise methods.
Start by selecting a baseline wick and a standard fragrance load that you can use across multiple experiments. Document the wick brand, diameter, and cut length, as well as the cotton or paper core composition, because these variables affect burn pace and soot formation. Next, define an acceptable burn cycle: a full burn until the melt pool reaches the edge, followed by a cool down and re lighting session. Record any wick characteristics observed during ignition, such as tunneling or fluttering, since these cues often predict performance in subsequent tests. Having a reliable baseline reduces noise when you compare different wax blends or fragrance oils.
When you run a scent throw test, arrange the candle in a controlled space and measure aroma intensity at standard distances with a consistent time interval. Use a simple scale—none, faint, moderate, strong—to complement your numerical data and avoid overestimating impressions. Note the fragrance note clarity, whether blend notes separate cleanly or smudge together, and if scent lingers after extinguishing. Also track melt pool depth as a proxy for fragrance release: a well balanced pool should be uniform and sufficient to prevent tunneling. These observations help you rank fragrance performance without relying solely on subjective senses.
Use structured comparisons to derive actionable insights.
Burn time is a primary performance indicator, so time the candle from first light to when the wick drowns or the flame extinguishes itself. Record each burn as a separate line in your log, noting any deviations from expected duration and the reasons you perceive, such as wax crusting or wick drowning. If you observe excessive sooting, document the soot color, amount, and distribution on the glass or container. A simple description can reveal whether the wax composition or wick choice is contributing to soot. Comparing burn times alongside soot data helps identify the most efficient combinations for clean, even performances.
Document visual burn cues methodically: keep track of flame height, flicker frequency, and melt pool behavior during each burn. A stable flame with a steady melt pool suggests balanced heat transfer between wick and wax. If the flame grows erratically or the melt pool forms an uneven ring, record the moment and context. Take a few quick photos from the same angle to provide a visual reference for later analysis. By correlating these cues with burn time and fragrance throw, you can decipher how specific wick and wax pairings respond under identical conditions.
Integrate logs into a repeatable workflow for efficiency.
After several rounds of testing, review the data to identify top performing combinations for each objective. Create a summary page that ranks wick types, wax blends, and fragrance oils by burn time, scent throw, and soot production. Highlight tradeoffs, such as a wick that burns longer but produces more soot versus one that emits a cleaner burn with a shorter duration. Your aim is to assemble a library of reliable, repeatable results that you can reference when developing future fragrances or new wax formulations. A transparent, data driven approach saves time and reduces trial and error in production.
When comparing different fragrance oils, ensure you test them at a consistent load percentage and note any differences in scent strength and layering. Some oils might read strong initially but fade as the candle cures, while others become more pronounced with time. Record the odor profile as you perceive it at multiple intervals, such as after 24, 48, and 72 hours. In addition, track the rate at which the scent becomes detectable within the room, which roughly indicates relative volatility. These insights help you choose oils that deliver intended notes consistently.
Conclude with how to apply findings to product decisions.
Build a routine that makes logging feel automatic rather than burdensome. Create templates for each product line, so you don’t reinvent the wheel with every batch. Before you begin, assemble the essential tools: a timer, a thermometer, a light source for consistent observation, and a reliable scale to weigh wax and fragrance. As you pour, jot down batch identifiers and expected cure times so you can align your burn tests with the right maturation stage. A streamlined workflow reduces human error and strengthens the reliability of your comparisons.
Include a section that captures post burn observations such as container frosting, glass soot, and residue on the wick. Frosting can indicate wax solidity concerns, while heavy soot suggests heat management issues. Recording these details helps you refine cooling practices and wick trimming guidelines. The more consistently you document every aspect of the burn cycle, the more meaningful your cross batch comparisons become. With a well organized log, you can confidently justify adjustments to your process or supplier choices.
Translate your data into practical decisions about formulation and sourcing. If a particular wick type shows even burns with minimal soot across multiple wax blends, you have a compelling reason to standardize that wick for future lines. If certain fragrance oils consistently perform poorly in scent throw at a given cure time, you might adjust fragrance loads or oil blends for improved performance. Use your log to build a decision matrix that guides materials buying, process tweaks, and quality control benchmarks. The objective is to reduce guesswork while raising the predictability of candle outcomes.
Finally, maintain your log as an evolving resource rather than a one off record. Schedule quarterly reviews to refresh data with new waxes, wicks, and fragrance options, and retire older entries when they no longer reflect current processes. Encourage team members to contribute observations to the shared document, ensuring diverse perspectives. Keep backup copies and protect the integrity of your data with clear version control. The ongoing discipline of logging translates into steady improvements in burn quality, aroma clarity, and customer satisfaction.
