Brooke Martin
Candles are a popular way to create a relaxing atmosphere, but they can sometimes emit smoke, which can be concerning. This smoke is caused by unburned particles of carbon released when the hydrocarbon chain of candle wax breaks down. When a candle is burning, most of the carbon is turned into carbon dioxide, but some escapes. This is why you will often see a candle producing smoke when it is first lit or extinguished. The type and quality of the wick, the temperature of the candle, and the presence of dust or debris can also impact the amount of smoke produced.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smoke when extinguished | Smoke is produced when a candle is extinguished due to the vaporization of paraffin wax. |
| Smoke when lit | Candles can emit smoke when lit, especially if the flame flickers or is blown by wind/air conditioning. This smoke is caused by incomplete combustion, resulting in unburned carbon particles. |
| Prevention of excessive smoke | To prevent excessive smoke, maintain a healthy candle temperature, trim the wick regularly, and avoid placing the candle in high-traffic areas where it may collect dust or debris. |
| Reducing smoke when extinguishing | Use a candle snuffer or cover the candle with a plate or flat, fireproof surface to reduce smoke when extinguishing. |
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What You'll Learn
Candles only emit smoke when extinguished
The chemistry and physics behind the light and beauty of a candle flame have fascinated scientists for hundreds of years. While a burning candle does not emit smoke, it does produce smoke when extinguished.
When a candle is burning, the flame heats the surrounding air, and as the warm air moves up, cooler air and oxygen rush to the bottom of the flame to replace it. The heat of the flame vaporises the liquid wax, breaking down the hydrocarbons into molecules of hydrogen and carbon. These vaporised molecules are drawn into the flame, where they react with oxygen from the air to create heat, light, water vapour, and carbon dioxide.
When a candle is extinguished, the heat of the flame is quickly removed, and there is not enough heat left to burn the carbon, which is released as unburned particles, appearing as smoke. This smoke is not actually 'smoke' but vaporised paraffin wax. Candle wax is flammable, but only when vaporised. When a candle is burning, the wax is absorbed by the wick and then burned. When the candle is blown out, the wax in the wick continues to 'steam', creating a trail of what appears to be smoke.
To prevent a candle from smoking excessively, it is recommended to use a candle snuffer or to cover the top of the lit candle with a plate or a flat, fireproof surface to extinguish it. Another tip is to trim the wick regularly and to maintain a healthy candle temperature by not burning it for extended periods. Additionally, keeping the candle away from wind, heat, or air conditioning can help prevent excessive smoke and soot.
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Smoke is vaporized paraffin wax
When a candle is lit, the heat of the flame vaporizes the liquid wax, turning it into a hot gas. This vapour then combines with oxygen in the air to produce a flame. The flame generates heat, which in turn produces light.
The smoke from a candle is actually vaporized paraffin wax. When a candle is extinguished, the heat from the flame remains and continues to vaporize the candle wax for a few seconds, producing what appears to be smoke. This is why candles produce smoke when they are blown out, but not when they are lit.
The fact that the smoke is vaporized wax means that you can relight a candle by lighting the smoke, rather than the wick itself. This is an interesting experiment to try at home.
To reduce the amount of smoke produced when blowing out a candle, you can use a candle snuffer or cover the top of the candle with a plate or other flat, fireproof surface. This will reduce the amount of smoke and keep any smoke that is produced inside the candle vessel. Alternatively, you can extinguish the candle after two hours, trim the wicks, and then relight it.
While candles made from natural sources such as beeswax, soy wax, or palm wax are better for minimizing the amount of particulate matter you breathe in, all candles have the potential to release chemicals that may be harmful to health. Burning paraffin wax, in particular, releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and phthalates, which have been linked to headaches, shortness of breath, and coughing. Therefore, it is important to minimize your intake of any type of smoke and to ventilate your room after extinguishing a candle.
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Smoke is caused by unburned particles of carbon
Smoke is a collection of tiny solid, liquid, and gaseous particles. It is produced when a substance undergoes incomplete combustion, meaning there is not enough oxygen present to burn the fuel completely. Instead of producing just carbon dioxide and water vapour, incomplete combustion results in the creation of soot, smoke, and ash.
Visible smoke is mostly composed of carbon (soot), tar, oils, and ash. Smoke can also contain a variety of other chemicals and pollutants, depending on the fuel that is being burned. For example, burning plastics can produce poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen chloride.
Candles produce smoke when they are extinguished, due to the vaporization of the candle wax. When a candle is blown out, the heat remains and continues to vaporize the wax, creating the appearance of smoke. This smoke is not actually composed of the same particles as smoke produced by combustion, but rather, it is vaporized paraffin wax.
Smoke can also be produced by a candle when it is first lit, as the wick emits some noticeable smoke. This is normal and not a cause for concern, as the smoke should disappear within a few seconds or minutes as the wick starts to burn more cleanly.
To prevent excessive smoke from a candle, it is recommended to use a candle snuffer or to cover the top of the lit candle with a flat, fireproof surface to extinguish the flame. It is also suggested to burn a candle for at least two hours to allow the entire top to liquify, which can help extend the life of the candle and improve its burning performance.
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Wick length affects smoke production
The wick is an essential component of a candle, acting as a fuel pump to draw liquefied wax into the flame. Different wick sizes allow for different amounts of fuel to be drawn into the flame. A wick that is too thick will cause excessive smoke or soot, while a wick that is too thin will not be able to efficiently burn all the fuel and will go out.
Finding the right wick size is crucial to ensuring a candle burns cleanly and properly. Several factors influence the appropriate wick size, including the type of wax, the quantity and type of fragrance oil, the size and shape of the container, the amount of dye added, and any extra additives used. For example, lower-melting-point single-pour paraffin waxes and soy waxes are thicker and typically require larger wick sizes.
Trimming the wick is also important for reducing smoke. It is recommended to trim the wick by 0.5 cm each time you use the candle, maintaining a length of 1/4 to 1/2 inch. A wick that is too short can prevent the candle from generating enough heat to create a proper melting pool, while a wick that is too long can cause excessive smoke or soot.
Additionally, the fragrance amount can impact smoke production. If the fragrance amount is too high, the flame can burn off excess scent, creating heavier and darker smoke. It is recommended to keep the fragrance load below 10% to avoid this issue.
By adjusting the wick length, choosing the appropriate wick size, trimming the wick regularly, and controlling the fragrance amount, you can minimize smoke production and enjoy a cleaner and more enjoyable candle-burning experience.
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How to prevent candles from smoking
It is normal for candles to emit small puffs of smoke when they are first lit or extinguished. This smoke is caused by the vaporization of candle wax, which is flammable and burns when lit. However, there are some simple tricks to prevent candles from smoking excessively.
Firstly, always burn your candles in a well-ventilated room, away from drafts, vents, or strong air currents. Constant flickering and smoking occur when the teardrop shape of the flame is interrupted, allowing unburned carbon particles, or soot, to escape as wisps of smoke. Therefore, it is important to keep the flame steady and uninterrupted.
Secondly, ensure that you are using the correct type of wick for your candle wax. There are hundreds of different types and weaves of wicks, and using the wrong one can result in poor burning and excessive smoking. The wick should be trimmed to the recommended length of 1/4 inch. A longer wick can result in a taller flame, causing the candle to smoke and potentially creating safety hazards.
Thirdly, it is recommended to burn your candles for at least 2 hours to allow the entire top to liquify. This will extend the life of your candle and improve its burning. However, do not burn your candle for longer than 4-6 hours without letting it cool completely before relighting.
Finally, if you do not have a candle snuffer, you can use a plate or any flat, fireproof, and damage-proof surface to cover the top of your lit candle. This will reduce the height of the flame and quickly extinguish it, reducing the amount of smoke.
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Frequently asked questions
When a candle is burning, most of the carbon gets converted to carbon dioxide. However, when you blow out a candle, the heat from the wick vaporizes the wax, which appears as smoke.
Black smoke is usually a sign of poor quality candles. It could also be due to the length of the wick, dust or debris in the wick or wax, or excessive flickering.
To prevent your candle from smoking excessively, try using a candle snuffer or covering the candle with a plate or any flat, fireproof surface to extinguish it. You could also trim the wick regularly and ensure the candle is not in a breezy area.
