Candle Burning Tips

General Candle Burning tips.
Can I be guaranteed a long burn time?
What affects Burn time?
Which type of candle produces the most fragrance?
Why do candles drip?
What causes a candle to smoke?
Why is the candle flame so high?
Why is the candle flame so low?
How do I get my candle to burn more evenly?
How do I stop my candle’s edges falling in?
How can I stop my votives dripping?
Why do I need to trim the wicks?

General Candle Burning tips.

• Always read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and follow all instructions…you may think candles are a cinch and everything is logical and easy but candles are not all the same. The waxes, wicks and additives are very different…and your candle will last longer if you follow the instructions.
• Always remove labels from the bottom before using votive candles.
• Never burn a candle directly on or near anything that can catch fire. Furniture with upholstery, Carpets, Drapes, Bedding, Books, Paper, Your hair!
• Don’t straighten the wick when relighting a taper candle …you might break it off
• For your safety, don't ever pick up the candle jar when it is lit, especially if it is this low and make sure you place the candle on a heat resistant countertop.

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Can I be guaranteed a long burn time? What affects Burn time?

Type of wax, additives to the wax, impurities in the wax, type of wick, location, drafts, air flow, air temperature, closeness to other candles, the amount of time in a continuous burn, wick trimming and the type of holder or container all affect burn time for a candle. Therefore where burn times have been stated, these are approximate only because your actions contribute significantly to the burn time. You can get the best out of your candle by following the information given throughout this section.

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Which type of candle produces the most fragrance?

Soy and beeswax emit the most fragrance.
Some candles have 2-5 wicks. This produces a larger pool of melted wax which emits more fragrance. These type of candles can be difficult to light and hard ensure enough air flow. Some candles have 2-3 times more fragrance than others. There is a maximum amount of fragrance that can be added to a candle before it will no longer burn cleanly or properly. So it is about achieving a good balance. Candlelight Solutions has candles to suit a variety of tastes and preferences.

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Why do candles drip?

The amount of drip from a candle is mostly related to the type of wax and the additives in the candle. The best quality candles have almost no drip unless of course, the candle is designed to drip. Some customers really like the rustic look that is achieved with a high level of drip.

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What causes a candle to smoke?

• A well made candle should not smoke
• The type of wick can cause smoking
• Do not buy candles with lead wicks
• Some paper wicks burn inefficiently and cause smoking. Cotton Wicks are best.
• The length of the wick
• Trim the wick to ½ inch (6mm) every time before burning
• Use a wick trimmer, old fingernail trimmers or small scissors.
• Trim the wick, relight…if still smoking repeat until not smoking
• Build-up on the wick
• Caused by carbon deposits from inefficient burning from impurities in the wax, wick, dye or fragrance used
• Generally speaking, good quality candles shouldn’t get a build-up
• Very highly scented candles are more susceptible
• Fix by extinguishing the flame and trimming the wick
• Type of fragrance/dye
• Some fragrances and dyes interfere with the even flow of wax to the wick. This disrupts combustion and carbon is given off
• Some fragrances particularly in cheaper candles have impurities that give off smoke when burnt
• The imbalance may be isolated to the top of the candle. Try lighting the candle and as the wax melts pour off some of the wax into a paper towel
• Lack of oxygen
• Drafts – flickering disturbs the wick and interferes with the burn
• Some cheaper candles have dye or fragrance that has not blended with the wax properly.
• Purchase good quality candles…they may be more expensive initially but they burn slower, safer and last longer and have little to no smoke, therefore they are better value for money and cheaper in the long run

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Why is the candle flame so high?

• The wick is too long. Snuff out the flame, trim the wick and relight

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Why is the candle flame so low?

• The wick is too short
• Too much wax around the wick.
• This sometimes happens when the candle burns for a long time in one burn
• Blow out the candle, tip out some of the wax onto paper towel, Relight the candle.
• When other candles close by contribute to the heat build up around the candle resulting in more wax melting than is designed to melt. Wax melts from the sides in to the centre and reduces the amount of wick exposed.
• Space candles >3 inches (7.5cm) apart. Ensure good air flow around the candles.

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How do I get my candle to burn more evenly?

• The first time you burn your pillar candle burn it for one hour for every inch (2.5cm) of its diameter.
• Keep burning candles out of drafts…not only can the flame blow out or catch something alight, it causes the candle to smoke, splatter and burn unevenly
• Place lighted candles at least 3 inches apart from one another.

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How do I stop my candle’s edges falling in?

• The first time you burn your pillar candle burn it for one hour for every inch (2.5cm) of its diameter. This allows the pool of wax to extend to the outside rim and prevent your candle from forming a "crater" in its center and the edges falling in.

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How can I stop my votives dripping everywhere?

• If Votives are burned without a container, they will drip. (They are meant to liquefy during burning.) Be sure your holder is big enough for the votive.

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Why do I need to trim the wicks?

• Trimmed candle wicks encourage clean, smoke-free burning.
• Long, bent wicks cause uneven burning and dripping.
• A short wick creates a small, more controlled flame
• A short wick reduces smoking and soot build up

How short do I trim my candle wick?

• Trim candle wicks to ¼ inch before burning