Jessie Taylor
Blowing out candles on a birthday cake is a tradition that dates back to Ancient Greece as an offering to the gods and goddesses. However, blowing out candles can cause issues with the wax, such as tunneling and unevenness, and it can also push wax to the side of the glass container. It can also cause the wick to emit a lot of smoke, reducing the fragrance of the candle. To avoid these issues, it is recommended to use a wick dipper or a candle snuffer to extinguish the flame instead of blowing it out. These tools minimize smoke and help preserve the quality of the candle wax and fragrance. So, the next time you need to put out a candle, remember to use a wick dipper or a candle snuffer for a more pleasant and efficient experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wait until the entire surface of the candle has melted | To prevent tunneling and preserve the fragrance |
| Use a wick dipper | To minimise smoke and preserve the wax and fragrance |
| Use a candle snuffer | To minimise smoke and preserve the wax and fragrance |
| Use the lid | To suffocate the flame (but this method is not recommended due to safety concerns) |
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What You'll Learn
Wait for the entire surface to melt
When lighting a candle, it is important to wait for the entire surface to melt before blowing it out. This is because wax has a "memory". Even in its solid, unmelted state, wax will continue to harden over time. If you blow out a candle before the entire surface has melted, the candle will only melt to that point in the future, leaving a coating of unusable wax along the inside of the vessel. This is called "tunneling". Tunneling can drastically reduce the total burn time of your candle, as only a fraction of the wax is used up before the wick reaches the bottom.
To prevent tunneling, make sure the entire top surface of the candle has melted before blowing it out. This usually takes at least an hour or two, depending on the size of the candle. A good rule of thumb is to burn the candle for one hour for each inch of diameter. For example, a 3-inch candle should be burned for a minimum of 3 hours during the first burn. If there is more than one wick, you may need to burn it for longer.
If your candle has already started tunneling, you can try to fix it by melting the outer wax surrounding the tunnel to make the surface even again. This can be done with an external heat source such as a heat gun or a hair dryer on low speed and high heat settings. Gently heat the top surface of the candle from a distance, being careful not to blow melted wax. You can also carefully scrape at the unmelted wax on the sides with a wick dipper or small metal spatula to help it melt faster.
Once the entire top surface of the candle has melted, you can extinguish the flame in several ways. You can use a candle snuffer, also known as a douter, to quickly extinguish the flame and minimize smoke. Alternatively, you can use a wick dipper to press the wick down into the melted wax, eliminating oxygen and immediately putting out the flame with little to no smoke. If you choose to blow out the candle, try to do so gently to avoid blowing wax astray.
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Use a wick dipper
Blowing out a candle is a common method to extinguish the flame, but it is not always the best idea. Blowing out a candle can cause hot wax and sparks to scatter, posing a fire hazard. It can also create smoke and soot, affecting the candle's appearance, fragrance, and longevity.
Using a wick dipper is a safer and more effective alternative. Wick dippers are slender instruments, often with a long handle and a hook or curved end. They are designed to gently submerge the burning candle's wick into a pool of molten wax, extinguishing the flame without any smoke or soot.
- Allow your candle to burn until a pool of wax forms around the wick.
- Position your candle on a flat, stable surface away from drafts.
- Hold the handle of the wick dipper and angle the curved end towards the wick.
- Gently press the wick into the pool of wax with the dipper until the flame extinguishes.
- Lift the wick back up out of the wax and straighten it, ensuring it is coated in wax.
- Maintain your wick dipper by wiping it clean with a paper towel or soft cloth immediately after use while the wax is still soft. If a deeper clean is needed, soak the dipper in warm water and mild dish detergent for 5-10 minutes, then dry thoroughly before storing.
Using a wick dipper offers several benefits. It minimizes smoke and soot, prevents the wick from "mushrooming" or developing carbon buildup, and ensures an even burn by coating the wick with wax for future use. It also increases the lifespan of the candle by managing the temperature and burn rate of the wax.
So, the next time you need to blow out a candle, remember to use a wick dipper for a safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable candle experience.
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Try a candle snuffer
Blowing out candles may be the go-to method for many people, but it is not always the best idea. Blowing out candles can cause the wax to become uneven or push it to the side of the glass container, creating tunneling. This makes the wick harder to relight, and the smoke leaves an unpleasant after-scent and soot on the wick and wax.
So, what is the alternative? Try a candle snuffer, also known as a candle extinguisher or a douter. Candle snuffers are small cones attached to the end of a handle, and they have been used since the 17th century. They are a great way to extinguish a candle safely and quickly, without creating lingering smoke or the after-scent and soot associated with blowing out a candle. They are also inexpensive and come in fashionable designs, with the most popular being a rounded bell shape.
Using a candle snuffer is simple and effective. Place the small cone over the flame to extinguish it, and that's it! No mess, no fuss, and no unpleasant after-scent. Antique candle snuffers are also highly collectible, so if you're looking for a functional piece of art, a candle snuffer could be a great option.
While some people may prefer to blow out their candles, especially for birthday wishes, using a candle snuffer is a great alternative that can help preserve the life and fragrance of your candles. So, next time you need to put out a candle, why not give a candle snuffer a try? It might just become your new go-to method!
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Avoid blowing wax everywhere
Blowing out a candle is not recommended as it can cause issues with your wax, like unevenness and tunneling. It can also cause the candle wick to emit a lot of smoke, reducing the effect of the cold throw of your candle, as well as the residual warm throw that may be left in the room. More importantly, you risk blowing wax everywhere. To avoid this, there are a few alternative methods to blowing out a candle:
Using a Wick Dipper
Wick dippers usually have a long handle with a hook on one end. To extinguish the flame, use the wick dipper to quickly dip the wick into the melted wax and then lift it back out. This will instantly put out your candle with very little smoke.
Using a Candle Snuffer
Candle snuffers, also known as douters, date back to the mid-17th century. They work well with most candles, quickly extinguishing the flame and minimising smoke. To put out your candle, hold the snuffer over the candle and lower the bell end onto the lit flame. Once the snuffer fully envelopes the flame, hold it there for a moment until the flame goes out. Make sure the snuffer does not go into the melted wax.
Putting a Lid on It
Technically, putting the lid back on your candle is another way to put it out. However, this method comes with some issues. First, it traps the smoke in your candle, which can infuse back into the melted wax and possibly change its cold and warm throw. Second, it can fill your vessel with soot, making it dirty. Lastly, putting the lid back on the candle while it is still hot can cause the lid to suction to the vessel and possibly break it.
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Prevent smoke and soot
Blowing out a candle can cause it to smoke and soot, regardless of the type of candle. This is due to incomplete combustion. To prevent this, there are a few methods you can try.
Firstly, ensure your candle is well-made and of good quality. Excessive smoke and soot can be a sign of a poor-quality candle, as some candle companies add too much fragrance oil, which can cause the candle to burn irregularly.
Secondly, maintain a healthy candle temperature. Only burn your candle for four to six hours at a time, as candles do not like to be too hot.
Thirdly, keep your candle away from drafts, vents, or strong air currents. Candles burn best in still air, and any disturbance to the flame can cause it to flicker and smoke. If you cannot avoid a draft, try shielding the flame by placing it in a candle holder.
Another way to prevent smoke and soot is to use a wick dipper or a candle snuffer. A wick dipper has a long handle that you use to quickly press the wick down into the oil, eliminating oxygen and putting out the flame with minimal smoke. Similarly, a candle snuffer, also known as a douter, quickly extinguishes the flame and minimises smoke.
Finally, maintain good wick trimming habits. Trim the wick to 1/4 inch above the set wax after each use. This helps create a calm, steady flame, ensuring complete combustion and reducing the risk of soot.
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Frequently asked questions
If you blow out a candle before the entire surface has melted, the candle will remember where it stopped melting and will only melt up to that point in the future. This leaves a coating of unusable wax along the inside of the vessel, a phenomenon known as "tunneling".
Two common methods are to use a wick dipper to bend the wick into the wax, or to use a snuffer to extinguish the flame. These methods are preferred by candle enthusiasts as blowing out a candle can coat the inside of the candle vessel with soot and disrupt the lingering candle scent.
Blowing out candles is seen as a way to make a wish and spread your intentions into the universe. In many cultures, it is also customary to blow out a candle on the anniversary of a loved one's death, symbolizing remembrance and the eternal nature of their spirit.
Yes, a 2017 study from the Journal of Food Research found that blowing out the candles on a cake increases the amount of bacteria on the icing by 1400%.
When you blow on a candle, you are diluting the wax vapour and cooling it below the point where the wax and air molecules can react to produce a flame. Additionally, you are blowing the flame away from the wick and disrupting the fuel source, causing the flame to go out.
