Tyler Brooks
Woodwick candles are unique in that they are made with wooden wicks instead of traditional braided cotton wicks. While they create a delightful crackling sound and a wide teardrop-shaped flame, they can be challenging to keep lit. To extinguish a woodwick candle, you can blow it out once it has burned evenly for a few hours. However, it is important to note that woodwick candles require more attention and care than cotton wick candles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Burning time | 30 minutes to 4 hours |
| Wick length | 1/8" to 1/4" |
| Wick trimming | Before and after lighting |
| Wax pool | Full melt pool recommended |
| Flame height | May vary, blow out if exceeds 1.5" |
| Relighting | Wait for wax to cool |
| Safety | Keep away from children and pets |
| Drafts | Keep away from drafts |
| Surface | Place on a heat-resistant, dry surface |
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$24.79
What You'll Learn
How to blow out a wood wick candle
Wood wick candles are unique and require more attention and care than a traditional cotton wick candle. They are made with 100% natural soy wax and have a memory where the first burn pattern is memorized by the candle. Here are some steps to follow when blowing out a wood wick candle:
Step 1: Initial Burn
When lighting a wood wick candle for the first time, it is important to trim the wick to 1/8 of an inch. This ensures that the wax is pulled up through the wick properly, fueling the flame. Allow the candle to burn for at least 2-4 hours to achieve a full melt pool, where the entire surface of the candle is melted wax. This initial burn is crucial as it sets the foundation for subsequent burns.
Step 2: Extinguishing the Flame
Once the candle has burned evenly for a few hours, you can blow it out. Simply use your breath to blow gently on the flame until it extinguishes. Be careful not to blow too hard, as this may cause hot wax to splatter. Alternatively, you can use a candle snuffer to extinguish the flame without creating any smoke or splattering wax.
Step 3: Cleaning and Trimming
After blowing out the candle, use a damp cloth to remove any ashes or debris that may have fallen into the pool of wax. This ensures the candle remains clean and burns optimally during the next lighting. Trim the wick to a length of 1/8 to 1/4 inch to prepare it for the next burn. You can use nail clippers, scissors, or a dedicated wick trimmer for this purpose.
Step 4: Allow to Cool
Before relighting the candle, ensure that it has completely cooled down. This usually takes around 2 hours. Do not move or handle the candle until it has cooled, as the glass container can get very hot and pose a safety hazard.
Step 5: Relighting
When you are ready to relight the candle, ensure that all wick trimmings have been removed. Light the wick from the base by holding the candle at an angle. It may take several tries, but once lit, the heat of the flame will draw the wax through the wick for a consistent burn.
Wood wick candles require careful maintenance, but they offer a unique burning experience with a crackling sound and a warm, cozy ambiance. By following these steps for blowing out and preparing your wood wick candle, you can ensure an optimal burning experience each time.
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Why you shouldn't blow out a wood wick candle
Wood wick candles are unique and require more care and attention than traditional cotton wick candles. Blowing them out can be detrimental to the candle's performance and longevity, and there are alternative ways to extinguish the flame.
Firstly, wood wick candles have a "memory". The first burn creates a pattern that the candle will continue to follow. If the candle is blown out before a full melt pool is achieved, a depression or "tunnel" will form around the wick. This will cause the candle to struggle to stay lit in the future as oxygen will not be able to reach the wick.
Secondly, blowing out a candle can cause excess carbon to build up on the wick, which will prevent it from burning correctly in the future. The wick may become blackened and splintered, and the wood will not be able to conduct enough heat to melt the wax. This will result in an inconsistent flame that will not stay lit.
Thirdly, blowing out a wood wick candle can cause the wick to become damp, affecting the future burn quality of the candle. The wick may become too wet to light, and the wood may soften and break.
Finally, wood wick candles are more challenging to light than traditional cotton wick candles. Blowing them out each time can cause frustration and waste time and effort.
To avoid these issues, it is recommended to let the candle burn for at least 2 to 4 hours to achieve a full melt pool. If the candle needs to be extinguished before this, it is best to use a snuffer or a damp cloth to avoid getting the wick wet. Trimming the wick to 1/8 of an inch before relighting will also help to ensure a consistent flame.
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How to trim a wood wick candle
Wood wick candles require more attention and care than traditional cotton wick candles. The first time you burn your candle is the most important, as this will determine how your candle burns subsequently.
The first thing you should do is trim your wick to ⅛”- 3/16”. This is extremely important because the wax is pulled up through the wood wick, fuelling the flame. If the wick is too long, it will not be able to pull up enough wax to keep a steady flame and will either produce a very low flame or self-extinguish.
You can use a wick trimmer, or when the candle is cold, simply snap off the excess wick with your fingers. You should trim the wick every time before lighting the candle.
If your candle won't stay lit, there are a few things you can try. Firstly, blow out the candle and soak up some of the excess wax that has pooled. Your wick may be extinguishing because it is 'drowning' and cannot get enough oxygen. If this doesn't work, try scraping the wax around the edge of the 'tunnel' to manually reset the wick.
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How long to burn a wood wick candle for
Burning a wood wick candle requires more care and attention than a traditional cotton wick candle. The first burn is the most important, as soy wax candles have a "memory" and the first burn pattern is the one the candle will keep.
Before lighting your candle for the first time, ensure the wick is no taller than 1/4 of an inch, or about the size of a USB cable's metal part. You can use a wick trimmer or, when the candle is cold, tap off the excess wick with your fingers.
For the initial burn, let the candle burn for at least 2 to 4 hours, or until a full melt pool is achieved, with melted wax reaching the edges of the jar. This will optimise the burn time of the candle. If you don't let the candle burn long enough, a small depression or "tunnel" may form around the wick, and the wax may even drown it.
Wood wick candles should not be burned for more than 4 hours at a time. After 4 hours, extinguish the candle, let it cool for 2 hours, and trim the wick before relighting. Always place candles on a heat-resistant, dry surface, away from anything that could catch fire, and never leave them burning unattended.
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How to light a wood wick candle
Wood wick candles require more care and attention than cotton wick candles. Here are some tips on how to light a wood wick candle properly:
Before Lighting
Before lighting a wood wick candle for the first time, it is important to trim the wick to about ⅛ of an inch. This is because the wax is pulled up through the wick, fuelling the flame. If the wick is too long, it will not be able to bring up enough wax to keep the flame steady. Nail clippers can be used to trim the wick to the correct length.
Lighting
When lighting a wood wick candle for the first time, it is important to let it burn for at least 2-4 hours to achieve a full melt pool, where the entire surface of the candle is melted wax. If the candle is not burned long enough, a small depression or "tunnel" may form around the wick, causing issues with subsequent burns. During this first burn, the flame may become extremely small, but if the candle is still lit, it will eventually develop a full melt pool.
After Lighting
After lighting, always ensure that the candle is placed on a heat-resistant dry surface and never on any surface or item that could catch fire. It should also be kept away from areas with drafts or breezes. If the height of the flame exceeds 1 ½ inches or if the candle starts to smoke, blow it out, let the wax and wick cool down, and then trim the wick before relighting.
Troubleshooting
If the wood wick candle won't stay lit, it may be "drowning" and unable to get enough oxygen. In this case, blow out the candle and soak up some of the excess wax. This process may need to be repeated several times. If this does not work, try scraping away the elevated wax around the edge of the tunnel to manually reset the candle.
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Frequently asked questions
Before lighting your candle for the first time, trim the wick to 1/8 inch. Then, light the wick from the base by holding the candle at an angle.
It is recommended to burn your candle for at least 2 to 3 hours to allow the melted wax pool to reach the sides of the jar, optimising the burn time. The ideal burn time is 3 to 4 hours.
Allow the candle to burn until the wax melts to the edges of the container, which may take 30 minutes to 1 hour. The flame may burn low, but it will continue to burn. You can then blow out the candle.
After blowing out the candle, let the wax and wick cool down. Then, trim the wick to prepare for the next burn. Remove any wick trimmings and ashes or debris from the wax pool before relighting.
