Brooke Martin
There are several ways to extinguish a candle, and some methods are better than others. It is not recommended to put out a candle with the lid, as this can damage the candle's appearance and scent. It can also be unsafe, as some lids are made from materials such as wood or plastic, which can melt or deform when exposed to heat. Instead, it is better to use a wick dipper or a candle snuffer, which minimises smoke and soot. When it comes to candle care, it is also important to consider factors such as the length of time a candle is burned, the type of wick used, and the addition of fragrances and dyes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to extinguish a candle | Use a wick dipper, snuffer, or lid |
| Pros of using a lid | Minimises smoke and soot |
| Cons of using a lid | May harm candle's appearance and scent, leaves black sooty residue on the underside of the lid and on the insides of the container |
| Pros of using a wick dipper | Produces the least amount of smoke, re-coats wick with a fresh layer of wax, attractive designs |
| Cons of using a wick dipper | Burnt wick residue might fall into the wax pool, the wick might get buried |
| Pros of using a snuffer | Minimises smoke, lengthens the life of the candle, keeps it sootless and aesthetically pleasing |
| Candle safety | Keep away from flammable materials, keep in sight, don't burn for more than 4 hours at a time, keep away from children and pets |
| Candle maintenance | Burn until the entire top layer of wax has melted to prevent tunneling, trim the wick to prevent the candle from smoking when lit |
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What You'll Learn
- Candle snuffers or wick dippers are recommended to extinguish candles
- Blowing out candles is not recommended as it can cause smoke and soot
- Using the lid to extinguish candles may harm their appearance and scent
- Burning candles for too long can cause carbon buildup and a mushroom wick
- Burning candles near flammable materials can cause a home fire
Candle snuffers or wick dippers are recommended to extinguish candles
While it is not strictly necessary to use a candle snuffer or wick dipper to extinguish a candle, it is recommended. Blowing out a candle can cause wax to spray, and it can be difficult to control the direction of the spray, which may cause damage to nearby items. Blowing out a candle can also cause smoke and soot, which may ruin the candle's appearance and scent.
A candle snuffer is a device that looks like a pair of small tongs. It is used to pinch the wick and snuff out the flame without generating excessive smoke or splattering hot wax.
A wick dipper is a long piece of metal with a flat handle on one end and a thin tip with a bent hook on the other. It is used to gently submerge the wick into the melted wax, which cuts off the oxygen and stops the flame without smoke. This method produces very little to no smoke and re-coats the wick with a fresh layer of wax, making for a nice, beautiful flame when you relight it.
Both wick dippers and candle snuffers are recommended for extinguishing candles, as they are safer and more effective than blowing out the candle or using the lid to deprive the flame of oxygen.
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Blowing out candles is not recommended as it can cause smoke and soot
To avoid this, you can use a wick dipper, a long piece of metal with a flat handle on one end and a thin tip with a bent hook on the other. You use the thin tip to gently press the lit candle wick into the wax pool, which instantly snuffs out the flame by eliminating its oxygen supply, before pulling the wick back up into a straight position. This method produces little to no smoke and also recoats the wick with a fresh layer of wax, ensuring a nice, beautiful flame when you relight it.
Another option is to use a candle snuffer, also known as a douter. Like wick dippers, candle snuffers quickly extinguish the flame and minimize smoke.
If you do not have access to a wick dipper or a candle snuffer, you can use any long, metal tool such as a spoon or an unbent paperclip to mimic the effect of a wick dipper.
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Using the lid to extinguish candles may harm their appearance and scent
Blowing out a candle is a long-standing tradition, but it can cause unintended consequences, such as the spread of germs and bacteria, fire hazards, and environmental impact. Using the lid to extinguish a candle is a neat trick to minimise smoke and soot, but it may harm the candle's appearance and scent.
Firstly, not all candle lids are meant to be used to extinguish flames. Some lids are purely decorative, made from wood, plastic, or contain rubber seals that can melt or deform when exposed to heat. Secondly, using the lid to put out a candle traps smoke and soot within the jar. While it stops smoke from escaping into the room, it leaves a black, sooty residue on the underside of the lid and the inside of the container. This trapped soot can also settle into the wax, affecting the scent and appearance of the candle.
There are alternative methods to extinguish candles that will preserve their beauty and fragrance. One way is to use a wick dipper, a long-handled tool used to press the wick into the wax to eliminate oxygen and put out the flame. This method produces little to no smoke and makes it easier to relight the candle, as the wick is coated in wax. Another option is to use a candle snuffer or douter, which has been used since the mid-17th century. The snuffer's bell-shaped design gently extinguishes the flame without spreading smoke or soot.
By using these alternative methods, candle enthusiasts can maintain the appearance and scent of their candles while still enjoying the ambiance and fragrance they provide. It is important to consider the potential risks associated with blowing out candles and explore safer alternatives to enhance the candle-burning experience.
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Burning candles for too long can cause carbon buildup and a mushroom wick
Burning candles for extended periods can lead to carbon buildup and a "mushroom" wick. This occurs when the candle consumes more wax than it can efficiently burn. To prevent this, it is recommended not to burn candles for more than four hours at a time. Additionally, always ensure that the wick is trimmed to the appropriate length.
Leaving a candle unattended while it is burning can be dangerous and increase the risk of accidents. It is important to keep an eye on burning candles and ensure they are placed on a flat, stable surface away from flammable materials such as drapes, clothing, blankets, and rugs.
To extinguish a candle, avoid using the lid as it can trap smoke and soot within the jar, leaving black residue on the underside of the lid and inside the container. This soot can also settle into the wax, affecting the fragrance and appearance of the candle.
Instead, consider using a wick dipper or a candle snuffer to extinguish the flame effectively. A wick dipper involves pressing the lit wick into the wax pool, instantly snuffing out the flame, and then pulling the wick back up. This method produces minimal smoke and coats the wick with a fresh layer of wax for a beautiful flame when relit. Candle snuffers, also known as douters, have been used since the 17th century and effectively extinguish the flame while minimising smoke.
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Burning candles near flammable materials can cause a home fire
Burning candles is a great way to create a cosy atmosphere, but it's important to be mindful of fire safety. Candles should always be burned with caution, as they can pose a fire risk if placed too close to flammable materials.
Fabrics such as silk, cotton, linen, and rayon are highly flammable and should be kept at a safe distance from lit candles. This includes items like drapes, clothing, and blankets. It is also recommended to place candles on a flat surface, away from children, pets, or swinging doors that could accidentally knock them over.
Carpets and rugs are often made from flammable materials, so extra care should be taken when burning candles in these areas. Burning candles should always be within eyesight to ensure that any potential hazards are quickly identified and addressed.
To reduce the risk of a home fire, it is crucial to follow basic candle safety guidelines. Never leave a candle unattended, and avoid burning it for more than four hours at a time to prevent carbon buildup on the wick. Always use a candle snuffer or a wick dipper to extinguish the flame, as these methods produce less smoke and help preserve the candle's appearance and scent.
By taking these precautions and being mindful of the potential fire hazards, you can safely enjoy burning candles in your home without putting yourself or your belongings at risk.
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Frequently asked questions
You should avoid putting out a candle with the lid, as this can damage the candle's appearance and scent. It can also be unsafe, as some lids are made of flammable materials. Better alternatives include using a wick dipper or a candle snuffer, which minimises smoke and soot.
Burning candles should always be within eyesight and kept away from flammable materials such as silk, cotton, linen and rayon. They should also be placed on a flat surface, away from children, pets and swinging doors. In addition, candles should not be burned for more than four hours at a time, as this can cause carbon to collect on the wick, leading to an unstable flame.
A big black ring around a candle indicates that it has been burnt for too long and the wick has not been trimmed. To prevent this, ensure that you do not burn your candle for longer than four hours at a time and trim the wick regularly.
