If you’ve watched any of my candle-making videos, you’ve probably noticed my candles look like oversized baked potatoes. Let me explain.
Like most things in candle making, there is actually a reason for it.
I’ve spent the last couple of years trying different methods to improve the appearance of my finished candles. Not because it changes how they burn, but because I care about the details and I’m severely Type A.
One of the biggest cosmetic challenges I run into is a wet spot. A wet spot happens when the wax pulls away from a small section of the glass as it cools. Despite the name, nothing is actually wet. It simply creates a lighter-looking area or small gap between the wax and the jar. Wet spots don’t affect the safety, fragrance, or performance of a candle - they’re purely cosmetic.
The frustrating part is that I’ve had candles with perfect jar adhesion develop wet spots later. All it takes is a quick change in temperature. A candle can look beautiful when I finish it and then develop a wet spot later because the wax and glass expand and contract at different rates.
Another reason for the aluminum fashion is to prevent sinkholes, which are small holes or depressions that can form in the wax as it cools. Sometimes a candle can look perfect when you walk away and have a sinkhole appear hours later as the wax continues to settle.
Over the years, I’ve tried several different methods to correct these issues. I used to fix wet spots by reheating the sides of the candle with my heat gun. Then I started placing candles inside aluminum tins, like the ones you buy when you have to feed 200 guests rigatoni. That helped, but it wasn’t very practical when I started making larger batches.
So I gave each candle its own little foil blanket and hat.
It worked.
The best part was that it cost almost nothing. No special equipment. No expensive candle-making gadget. Just a roll of aluminum foil from the kitchen.
By keeping the outside of the jar warmer, the wax has more time to settle and contract evenly. That helps improve jar adhesion, reduce wet spots, and minimize the chances of sinkholes forming.
Could I skip it? Sure.
But I’d rather spend a few extra minutes preventing a problem than spend time fixing one later.
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