How Do I Burn A Candle?
GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR CANDLE
To make your candle last longer, prep it before every burn.
- First, remove any hang tags or decor. Make sure the wick is centered and straight and remove any debris from the top of the candle.
- Then trim the wick so it is ¼” long. (Do not trim wood wicked candles).This ensures an even burn and reduces the possibility of smoking. A fingernail clipper works well to trim the wick inside a container or in the center of a pillar.
- Never trim a wick while it is burning.
- When you light your glass container candle, it is important to allow it to burn until a wax pool has formed across the entire top of the candle. Which means, light it and keep it lit until the wax across the top liquefies all the way to the edge. This should not take more than 3 hours to achieve on most candles. Every time you burn your candle, you will want to follow this same process. This will ensure that your candle burns evenly, and maximizes your burning time and fragrance release.
WHAT CAUSES A CANDLE TO SMOKE?
- A well-made candle will have minimal soot or smoke when burned properly.
- However, noticeable smoking will occur whenever a candle’s flame is disturbed (flickering), which causes unburned carbon particles (soot) to escape.
- To minimize candle flickering, trim the wick to ¼” before lighting and keep burning candles away from drafts, such as fans, open windows or air vents.
HOW DO I GET THE BEST BURN FROM MY CANDLE?
- A flame feeds on oxygen; even a high-quality candle will smoke if it doesn’t get enough oxygen, and scented candles smoke more than unscented.
- All candles perform best in large spaces away from drafts, which can cause an uneven burn.
- The fragrance from scented candles comes from the melted wax pool, so the bigger the pool of wax, the more room-filling fragrance the candle will throw (emit)
WHY DOES MY WICK GET A “MUSHROOM” ON THE TIP?
- “Mushrooms” are carbon deposits caused by highly fragrant candles. They usually appear after a long burning cycle. Before lighting your candle, trim the “mushroom” deposits.
- Make sure that the trimmings do not fall into the area where the wax pool will form. This could become unsightly and could possibly become a fire hazard.
CANDLE TIPS- for best results!
1. Store your candles in a cool, dry, dark place on a flat surface, such as a drawer or cabinet.
2. Always place pillar candles on a heat-resistant surface, never directly on furniture or counter tops.
3. Like tealights, votive candles liquefy when they burn, so they must be placed in a votive holder.
4. To remove wax from a holder or container, place it in the freezer for a few minutes. The wax will freeze and shrink just enough to pop right out.
Want more candle burning tips? Checkout this article from our friends at Candlefind: https://candlefind.com/candle-tips-make-you-candle-pro/