Tyler Brooks
Trick candles, also known as magic candles, are a fun addition to any birthday party. However, their novelty can wear off when you're tired of the game and just want to eat the cake. Trick candles are designed to relight themselves after being blown out, thanks to the addition of magnesium powder to the wick. This chemical reaction can be frustrating when you're hungry for cake, but there are a few ways to outsmart these candles. The best methods to extinguish a candle are to use a wick dipper or a candle snuffer, but if you don't have these tools, you can try other methods to put out a trick candle. So, how do you unstick a trick candle?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to unstick a trick candle | Snuff it out or dunk it in water to cut off the oxygen supply |
| Why trick candles are hard to blow out | The wick contains magnesium, which ignites the paraffin vapour of the candle |
| How to put out a candle | Blowing it out, putting a lid on it, using a wick dipper, or using a candle snuffer |
| Recommended ways to put out a candle | Using a wick dipper or a candle snuffer to preserve the quality of the candle wax and fragrance |
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What You'll Learn
Snuffing the candle
To snuff out a trick candle, you must cut off its oxygen supply. This can be done by using a candle snuffer or a wick dipper. Hold the snuffer over the candle and lower the bell end onto the flame. Once the snuffer fully envelopes the flame, hold it there for a moment until the flame goes out. Ensure that the snuffer does not go into the melted wax.
A wick dipper is another effective way to extinguish a trick candle. It usually has a long handle with a hook at one end. Use the wick dipper to quickly dip the wick into the melted wax and then lift it back out. This will instantly put out the candle with very little smoke.
If you do not have a candle snuffer or a wick dipper, you can also dunk the candle in a liquid to cut off its oxygen supply. Water is a good option for this method. You can also put a lid on the candle, but this is not recommended as it can cause issues such as trapping smoke in the candle, which can infuse back into the wax and change its throw. It can also fill the vessel with soot, making it dirty and black. Additionally, putting the lid back on a hot candle can cause the lid to suction to the vessel and break.
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Dunking in water
Dunking a trick candle in water is a surefire way to extinguish it. This method works because the water cuts off the oxygen supply to the flame, preventing it from reigniting.
To do this effectively, thoroughly douse the trick candle in water and leave it submerged for a sufficient amount of time, ensuring it has been completely extinguished. You can place the candle under running water or submerge it in a glass or container filled with water.
Barbara Miller, a spokeswoman for the National Candle Association, recommends extinguishing trick candles in water and waiting for one to two hours before discarding them to ensure they are thoroughly cooled and will not relight. This precaution is important to prevent potential fire hazards.
It is worth noting that trick candles pose a unique challenge when it comes to extinguishing them. Their persistence in reigniting can be attributed to the presence of magnesium powder in the wick, which ignites at relatively low temperatures. Therefore, dunking the candle in water is a reliable method to overcome this challenge by depriving the flame of oxygen.
In summary, dunking a trick candle in water is a simple yet effective way to extinguish it. By cutting off the oxygen supply, the candle's flame is unable to sustain itself, and the risk of reignition is eliminated.
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Using a lid
To unstick a candle lid that has become stuck due to this vacuum seal, you can try the following methods:
- Fill a sink with very hot water and submerge the candle jar. Allow the jar to soak for 5 minutes, then attempt to remove the lid. If it still doesn't come off, return the jar to the hot water for another 5 minutes.
- Tap all the way around the edge of the lid with the blade of a butter knife to break the seal. You can also use a tweezer and only use one of the pincers to poke the rubber seal.
- Microwave the candle jar on 50% heat for 10 seconds.
- Heat the lid with a blow dryer on high heat, keeping the dryer moving around the edge of the lid. Try opening the jar every 10 to 15 seconds until the lid loosens.
While using the lid to put out a candle can be effective, it is important to note that it can have negative effects on the candle's appearance and scent. It can trap smoke and soot within the jar, causing the jar to turn black and the wax to become sooty. Additionally, the trapped smoke can alter the original fragrance of the candle, giving it a smoky smell over time. Therefore, while it may be tempting to use the lid to extinguish a candle, it is recommended to use alternative methods such as a wick dipper or a candle snuffer to maintain the quality and appearance of your candle.
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Using a wick dipper
A wick dipper is a slender, metal tool designed for candle care. It is used to push the wick into the pool of molten wax in a candle, extinguishing the flame without producing smoke. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use a wick dipper to unstick a trick candle:
Step 1: Prepare your candle
Position your candle on a flat, stable surface away from drafts. Use a wick trimmer to trim the candle wick to around 1/4 inch before lighting the candle. This prevents excessive soot and ensures a controlled and even flame.
Step 2: Let the candle burn
Allow the candle to burn until the wax around the wick has melted and formed a small pool. This is important because if the wax level is too low, the wick dipper may not be able to extinguish the flame effectively.
Step 3: Use the wick dipper
Hold the handle of the wick dipper and angle the curved end towards the wick. Gently push the wick into the melted wax, submerging it completely. This action will cut off the wick's access to oxygen, extinguishing the flame.
Step 4: Lift the wick
Slowly lift the wick back out of the wax and release it from the dipper. Straighten the wick and reposition it for the next use. This helps ensure that your candle is ready to be lit again without any hassle.
Step 5: Maintain your wick dipper
After using the wick dipper, it is important to clean it properly. Allow the wick dipper to cool down before handling it. Use a soft cloth or paper towel to gently wipe away any wax residue. If there is wax buildup that is hard to remove, soak the wick dipper in warm soapy water for about 10 minutes. Be careful not to submerge any wooden parts that could warp or stain.
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Letting it burn out
If you're looking for a way to extinguish a trick candle without taking any additional steps, you can simply let it burn out. This method is as simple as it sounds: just leave the candle alone and it will eventually burn itself out.
While this approach is straightforward, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, it's important to ensure that the candle is in a safe location where it can burn out without posing any fire hazards. Secondly, be aware that this process may take some time, depending on the size and type of candle. Trick candles, in particular, are designed to relight themselves, so you may need to be patient and wait for the candle to burn down significantly before it finally goes out.
Additionally, letting a candle burn out on its own can result in excess smoke, which can be unpleasant and may set off smoke detectors. This method can also cause issues with the wax, such as tunneling and unevenness, affecting the overall quality of the candle. If you're concerned about these potential issues, you may want to consider other methods of extinguishing the candle, such as using a lid, a wick dipper, or a candle snuffer.
However, if you choose to let the trick candle burn out, it's crucial to never leave it unattended. Always keep a close eye on the candle to ensure that it doesn't become a safety hazard. Once the candle has completely burned out, you can then safely dispose of it. Remember to follow proper disposal guidelines for trick candles, such as immersing them in water before discarding them, to prevent any accidental relighting.
By following these guidelines, letting a trick candle burn out can be a viable option, although it may require some patience and caution to ensure a safe and controlled burn.
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Frequently asked questions
To unstick a trick candle, you need to cut off its oxygen supply. You can do this by using a candle snuffer, a lid, or by dunking the candle in water.
Dunking a trick candle in water cuts off the oxygen supply to the flame, preventing it from reigniting.
A trick candle, also known as a magic candle, is a novelty candle that can relight itself. This is achieved by inserting magnesium into the wick of the candle.
Yes, another way to extinguish a candle is by using a wick dipper. This method involves quickly dipping the wick into the melted wax and then lifting it back out, instantly putting out the flame.
