If you’ve ever wondered how to make candles smell stronger, you’re not alone. Whether you’re aiming for a powerful cold throw (the scent before lighting) or a strong hot throw (the scent when burning), getting that perfect fragrance strength takes more than just adding extra oil.

But here’s the thing—I’m not just going to give you a few basic tips and send you on your way. That’s not what you need.

Instead, I want to break down the key elements that impact a candle’s scent so you can understand why some candles smell amazing while others barely fill a room. Once you know what makes the difference, you can apply these insights to your own candle-making process and get consistent, powerful results.

Let’s dive in!

Today we’re going to explore six essential factors that affect your candle’s scent throw. Whether you’re new to candle making or looking to fine-tune your craft, these tips will help you create candles that truly stand out.

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Expectation Bias

When trying to figure out how to make candles smell stronger, most people jump straight to tweaking wax, fragrance load, or wick size. But before we dive into those, there’s something else you need to be aware of—expectation bias.

What is Expectation Bias?

Whether you realize it or not, you already have a built-in idea of how strong a candle’s hot throw should be. This expectation isn’t always based on facts—it’s shaped by your past experiences with candles. Every time you light a candle and take in its hot throw, your brain stores that scent in a mental “database.” The more candles you burn, the stronger this expectation becomes.

Let’s put this into perspective. Have you ever had friends or family hype up a movie?

“OMG, you have to see that movie Shine! It’s absolutely brilliant, and that amazing actor Jai Catalano is in it!”

So, you go in expecting a masterpiece, but halfway through, you’re sitting there thinking… Wait, this is the movie everyone was raving about? You might even leave the theater like… ERRRR!

Why? Because your expectations were set sky-high. Even if the movie was good, it didn’t live up to the version you built up in your head.

Now, apply this to candle making.

You’ve smelled plenty of candles before—maybe from high-end brands, big-name retailers, or even your own past batches. That experience shapes your belief about how strong a candle should smell. So, when you make a candle and it doesn’t hit that same intensity, it can feel like a failure—even if the candle itself is actually just fine.

How to Overcome Expectation Bias

If you want to truly understand how to make candles smell stronger, you need to recognize that expectation bias is a real thing. Here’s how to keep it in check:

1. Acknowledge It. Just being aware that expectation bias exists can help you approach candle testing with a more objective mindset.
2. Get a Fresh Perspective. Instead of relying solely on your own judgment, have someone else test your candle’s scent throw—without telling them what to expect. This prevents you from unintentionally influencing their opinion.
3. Trust the Process. If multiple people say your candle smells great, it probably does! Sometimes, the issue isn’t the candle—it’s the unrealistic expectations we place on it.

While expectation bias isn’t the only reason a candle might have a weak hot throw, it’s an important factor that can affect how you perceive your candle’s scent strength. Up next, we’ll dive into the actual elements that impact your candle’s hot throw and what you can do to improve it.

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Fragrance Load

When learning how to make candles smell stronger, many assume that adding more fragrance oil is the solution. After all, more oil should mean a stronger scent, right?

Not exactly.

Why More Fragrance Oil Doesn’t Always Mean a Stronger Scent

When making candles, you’ve probably settled on a specific fragrance load—maybe 6%, 8%, 10%, or even 12%. Some candle makers push it up to 15%, but honestly, that’s a bit extreme.

Think of it like shampoo. Using a huge handful doesn’t make your hair any cleaner than using the right amount—it just wastes product and can even cause buildup over time.

The same goes for fragrance oil. There’s a sweet spot where you get the best hot throw without overloading your wax. Adding too much fragrance can actually hurt performance, leading to:

• Poor scent dispersion
• Wick clogging, which affects burning
• Oil sweating out of the wax

How to Find Your Candle’s Fragrance Load Sweet Spot

The key? Testing.

Instead of assuming that more is better, experiment with different fragrance oil percentages to see what works best.

Let’s say you test candles with 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, and 10% fragrance loads. During testing, you realize that the 8% candle performs just as well as the 9% but actually smells better.

That test just saved you money and materials compared to blindly using more oil.

And here’s a pro tip: Never fully copy someone else’s fragrance load without testing it yourself first. What works for their wax, wick, and fragrance combo might not work for yours.

So don’t skip the testing phase! If you truly want to make candles smell stronger, finding the perfect fragrance load for your setup is one of the smartest steps you can take.

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Fragrance Oil Variations

If you’re trying to figure out how to make candles smell stronger, one key factor to consider is the type of fragrance oil you’re using.

Not all fragrance oils are created equal, and this can make a huge difference in your candle’s hot throw.

Why Some Fragrance Oils Smell Stronger Than Others

Just like different foods have different scent intensities—think of the light, refreshing smell of watermelon versus the bold, unmistakable punch of garlic—fragrance oils vary in strength.

Some are formulated to be powerful and long-lasting, while others are naturally more subtle. This is where expectation bias (which we talked about earlier) can trip you up. If you expect every fragrance to have the same intensity, you might be disappointed when a softer scent doesn’t fill the room the way you imagined.

What Affects a Fragrance Oil’s Strength?

Several factors determine how strong a fragrance oil will smell in your candle:

• The ingredients used – Floral and citrus notes often have a strong throw, while vanilla and herbal scents tend to be softer.
• Oil quality – Cheaper fragrance oils might be diluted with fillers, reducing their potency. High-quality oils from trusted suppliers typically provide better results.
• Wax compatibility – Some fragrance oils work better with specific wax types. A fragrance that throws well in paraffin might perform differently in soy or coconut wax.

How to Work With Fragrance Oil Variations

So, how do you navigate these differences and ensure your candles have the strongest hot throw possible? Here are four key steps:

1. Know Your Oils – Pay attention to the strength ratings and ingredient lists from suppliers.
2. Test for Consistency – Always test new fragrance oils in small batches before committing to a large production run.
3. Blend Wisely – If a fragrance oil is too subtle, try mixing it with a stronger oil to create a balanced and long-lasting scent throw.
4. Ask the Supplier – Don’t hesitate to ask your fragrance supplier about the expected hot throw. Some oils are naturally light, while others pack a punch.

The takeaway? Fragrance oil is a variable in candle making. Understanding how each oil behaves will help you make better choices—and ultimately, create candles with a stronger and more satisfying scent throw.

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Cure Time

If you’re wondering how to make candles smell stronger, there’s one mistake that could be holding you back—testing your candles too soon.

Curing is one of the most overlooked yet essential steps in candle making. If you rush the process, you might assume your hot throw is weak when, in reality, your candle just hasn’t had time to fully develop its scent.

What Is Cure Time, and Why Does It Matter?

Curing is the process of letting your wax fully harden and stabilize, ensuring that your fragrance oils bind properly and your wick burns as intended. But here’s the kicker—curing isn’t just about scent; it’s about wick performance too.

If your candle hasn’t fully cured, your wick might not burn correctly, leading to poor heat distribution and, ultimately, a weaker hot throw.

Think of it like baking a cake—if you try to judge the flavor before it’s fully baked, you’re only getting a half-baked experience.

The Best Cure Times for Different Waxes

For best results, make sure your curing environment stays between 68–86°F, and follow these general guidelines:

• Beeswax: 7–10 days
• Coconut Wax: 14 days
• Palm Wax: 7–10 days
• Paraffin Wax: 3–5 days
• Parasoy Blend: 7–10 days
• Soy Wax: 10–14 days

And if you want a foolproof way to ensure your candles are fully cured—forget the charts and just wait two weeks.

Patience pays off when it comes to achieving the strongest possible hot throw.

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Wick Type & Size

If you’ve ever wondered why your candle isn’t burning quite right—maybe it’s tunneling, producing soot, or struggling with scent throw—your wick type and size might be the culprit.

Think of the wick as the heartbeat of your candle. It controls how your wax melts, how your fragrance disperses, and ultimately, how strong your hot throw is.

Why Wick Type Matters

Not all wicks are created equal. The type of wick you use needs to match your wax type and candle size.

For example:

• A wick that works beautifully in soy wax might struggle in paraffin due to differences in melt consistency.
• Wood wicks offer a crackling ambiance but need proper trimming to avoid excess soot.
• Some wicks work better with heavily scented candles, while others are designed for minimal soot and clean burns.

Why Wick Size Matters

You know what they say—Size Matters!

• Too small? Your candle may tunnel, leaving you with wasted wax and weak scent throw.
• Too big? Your candle might burn too hot, creating excess soot, wasted wax, and even a fire hazard.

Finding the Perfect Wick

Start by checking the recommended wick types and sizes for your wax, as provided by your manufacturer. You can also browse candle-making communities to see what’s working for others.

But don’t just copy what someone else is doing—testing is the real key.

To make things easier, I’ve created a comprehensive wick testing system to help you find the perfect wick-wax combination, prevent tunneling, and ensure candle safety.

Check out the video in here!

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Wax Type

Think of wax as the foundation of a house—it sets the tone for how your candle burns, how it smells, and how strong its hot throw will be.

Understanding Wax “Personalities”

Each wax has a unique personality that affects its performance:

• Coconut wax burns cooler, which can be great for some fragrances but less effective for others.
• Soy wax is eco-friendly but needs the right wick and cure time for a strong hot throw.
• Paraffin wax burns hotter and is often the go-to for bold scent throw, though it’s not for everyone due to environmental concerns.

It all comes down to what matters most to you.

The Truth About Wax Quality

Sure, Amazon is convenient, but not all waxes sold there are winners. Many are subpar, inconsistent, or heavily processed.

Start with trusted manufacturers to learn what quality wax looks, feels, and smells like. Once you know, you can confidently shop wherever your preferred wax is available.

How to Fix the Wax Type Dilemma

1️⃣ Choose a wax that fits your needs. If you want strong hot throw and cost-effectiveness, paraffin is a solid option. If you prefer eco-friendly alternatives, soy, coconut, or beeswax are great choices.

2️⃣ Don’t underestimate the right combination. While paraffin naturally has a strong hot throw, soy, coconut, and beeswax can perform just as well—if you find the perfect wick, wax, and fragrance oil combo.

The Real Secret?

When it comes to candle making… perfection lies in the imperfection.

That means stop trying to be perfect. Instead, aim to be:
✔ Consistent – Take notes and refine your process.
✔ Adaptable – Not every wax, wick, or fragrance oil will work the same way.
✔ Fearless – Experiment, test, and embrace the journey.

So light up your passion, pour a drink, and embrace the madness.