Candlemaker Louis Hotchkiss on The Secrets of His Craft
Dec 25, 2024
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Join Louis Hotchkiss, the former president of KOBO candles and a master in the art of candle making. He shares fascinating insights into which wax burns cleanly and how wick types can impact the candle's burn and scent throw. Louis also discusses common mistakes in candle care—like why you shouldn't chip away at wax—as well as the importance of using snuffers. Dive into the secrets of fragrance oils and their effects on indoor air quality, alongside reflections on personal grooming and music, making candle care a delightful experience.
Louis Hotchkiss's journey into candle making highlights how accidental circumstances can lead to a thriving passion-driven business.
The distinction between cold throw and hot throw emphasizes the critical role of fragrance formulation in determining candle quality and consumer satisfaction.
Deep dives
The Journey into Candle Making
The speaker shares how his accidental entry into candle making transformed into a thriving business. Initially starting a product line, he encountered a challenge when a candle manufacturer could no longer produce his candles, leading him to learn the craft himself. Under the guidance of an experienced candle maker, he honed his skills through hands-on experience, blending candle making with culinary delights like pasta and wine during breaks. This pivotal moment ignited his passion for the craft, and he has since produced hundreds of thousands of candles yearly.
Understanding Candle Quality: Cold and Hot Throws
The concepts of 'cold throw' and 'hot throw' are explained as vital indicators of a candle's quality and fragrance strength. Cold throw refers to the scent emitted when the candle is not lit, while hot throw describes the fragrance released during burning. A mismatch between cold and hot throw can lead to consumer dissatisfaction, highlighting the importance of precise fragrance formulation. The speaker emphasizes that achieving a balanced scent experience relies on meticulous preparation and the right blend of wick, wax, and fragrance oil.
The Impact of Wax Type on Candle Performance
The choice of wax significantly influences a candle's quality and burn characteristics. Soy wax is favored over paraffin because it is renewable, burns cleaner, and does not produce harmful soot or residues. In contrast, paraffin wax, derived from petroleum, is commonly used but can lead to adverse effects, such as staining walls or emitting soot. The speaker encourages consumers to consider the benefits of soy wax, including its eco-friendliness and overall cleaner burn when selecting candles.
Factors Influencing Candle Pricing
A wide range of candle prices can often bewilder consumers, with some candles costing only a few dollars and others reaching over a hundred. The disparity in pricing is mainly influenced by marketing costs, quality of fragrance oils, and packaging choices. High-quality fragrances can significantly increase production costs, which is reflected in a candle's price point. Additionally, luxurious packaging and branding strategies employed by prominent companies can further drive up the cost, even if the actual materials involved are not as expensive.
We’re lighting up the holiday season with candlemaker Louis Hotchkiss, the former president of KOBO candles. Here’s here to answer all our candle questions. Which wax burns the cleanest? How do containers, wicks, and fragrances affect burn rate? Why do some wick tips form a mushroom shape after they burn? How can you tell if a candle with have a good scent throw? All that and more. This interview originally aired in 2021 and is presented here with a fresh intro. We’ll be back with new episodes in the new year!