Brooke Martin
Blowing out a candle may seem simple, but there's more to it than meets the eye. While blowing out a candle is a popular method, it can cause issues like wax tunneling, unevenness, and smoke. Candle enthusiasts recommend using a wick dipper or a candle snuffer to extinguish the flame without smoke, preserving the quality of the wax and fragrance. So, before you blow out your next candle, consider trying out these alternative methods to protect your candle and maintain its scent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Techniques | Blowing, using a candle snuffer, using a wick dipper, using a lid, using fingers |
| Pros of blowing | It's easy and you don't need any extra tools |
| Cons of blowing | It can create a sooty mess, make wax uneven, push wax to the side of the glass container, cause tunneling, emit smoke, and reduce fragrance |
| Pros of using a candle snuffer | It's safe, quick, inexpensive, minimises smoke and soot, and keeps candles aesthetically pleasing |
| Cons of using a candle snuffer | It's an extra tool to buy |
| Pros of using a wick dipper | It's attractive, quick, minimises smoke, and preserves the candle's fragrance |
| Cons of using a wick dipper | It's an extra tool to buy |
| Pros of using a lid | It's easy and you don't need any extra tools |
| Cons of using a lid | It traps smoke, can infuse back into the wax, possibly changing the fragrance, and can cause the lid to suction and break |
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What You'll Learn
Blowing techniques
Blowing out a candle may seem simple, but there are some nuances to the technique. Firstly, it is important to be patient and wait until the entire surface of the candle has melted before blowing it out. This is because, if you blow it out before this point, the candle will only melt up to the same point in the future, leaving a coating of unusable wax.
When you are ready to blow out the candle, position your face close to the flame, with the wick at around mouth level. Do not hover directly over the candle, as the heat could burn you. Purse your lips together and blow a thin stream of air to extinguish the flame in one quick gust. Keep blowing until the flame is completely out. Be careful not to blow too forcefully, as this could cause hot wax to spray and result in a mess or minor burns.
Stand clear of the smoke when the candle is extinguished, to prevent soot from getting on your skin or clothes. If possible, blow out the candle in a well-ventilated area.
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Using a wick dipper
Wick dippers are simple tools that have a long handle with a hook or curved end. To use a wick dipper, follow these steps:
- Allow your candle to burn until a pool of wax forms around the wick.
- 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. Be careful not to submerge the wick too deeply, as this may make it difficult to ignite the next time.
- Lift the wick back out of the wax, ensuring it is coated in wax, and straighten it, preparing it for the next lighting.
Maintaining your wick dipper is straightforward. After use, wipe it clean with a paper towel or soft cloth while the wax is still soft. For a deeper clean, soak the dipper in warm water and mild dish detergent, then dry it with a clean towel or air dry it. Ensure the dipper is completely dry before storing it to prevent rust or damage.
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Using a candle snuffer
To use a candle snuffer, hold it over the candle, ensuring that the snuffer does not dip into the wax. Hover it gently for around 10 seconds, being careful not to let the snuffer touch the wick. This prevents debris from falling into the wax. Once the flame is extinguished, remove the snuffer.
If you accidentally dip your candle snuffer into the wax, you can clean it by soaking the bell-shaped portion in boiling water. Gently chip away any leftover wax and wipe it dry with a clean towel.
Candle snuffers are a sophisticated and effective way to extinguish candles, ensuring the quality of your candle is maintained.
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Using a lid
Firstly, not all candle lids are meant to be used in this way. Some candle lids are purely decorative and may be made from materials such as wood, plastic, or rubber, which can melt or deform when exposed to heat. Secondly, using a lid to extinguish a candle can trap smoke and soot within the jar, leaving a black, sooty residue on the underside of the lid and the inside of the container. This can also settle into the wax, affecting the appearance and scent of the candle. Additionally, the trapped smoke can infuse back into the melted wax, possibly altering its fragrance.
Another potential issue with using a lid to extinguish a candle is that it can cause the lid to suction to the vessel, making it difficult to open. This is especially true if the lid is pressed down or sealed off, rather than just lightly placed on top. Furthermore, placing the lid on a candle while it is still hot can cause the jar to turn black and may even cause it to break.
Therefore, while using a lid to blow out a candle may seem convenient, it is advisable 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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Blowing a candle vs. using tools
Blowing out a candle is a simple task that most people have done at some point in their lives, especially on birthday cakes. However, when it comes to scented candles, some candle enthusiasts believe that blowing them out is not the best method. They argue that it disrupts the lingering candle scent, coats the inside of the candle vessel with soot, and makes the wick harder to relight due to wax coating.
The most common alternative to blowing out a candle is using a candle snuffer, also known as a douter. Candle snuffers are small tools with a long handle and a bell-shaped metal cup at the end. To extinguish the flame, you place the bell of the snuffer over the wick, depriving it of oxygen and gradually stifling the flame. This method minimises smoke and soot, keeping the candle clean and preserving its fragrance. Antique candle snuffers are highly collectible, while modern snuffers are inexpensive and come in various designs.
Another popular tool for extinguishing candles is a wick dipper. Wick dippers usually have a long handle and a hook or tip at one end. To put out the candle, you use the wick dipper to quickly press or dip the wick into the melted wax, instantly extinguishing the flame with minimal smoke. Antique wick dippers are also prized by collectors and candle connoisseurs.
While blowing out a candle is a quick and convenient method, it can have some drawbacks. It can cause unevenness in the wax, create tunneling, and result in wax being blown everywhere. Additionally, the smoke released can leave an unpleasant after-scent and soot on the wick and surrounding surfaces.
In conclusion, while blowing out a candle is a common practice, using tools like candle snuffers or wick dippers can be more effective in preserving the quality and fragrance of the candle. These tools minimise smoke and soot, making them a preferred choice for candle enthusiasts who want to prolong the life of their scented candles.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to blow out a candle, but blowing is not the best method. Blowing out a candle can cause wax to spray, create a sooty mess, and make the room smell like smoke.
You can use a wick dipper to bend the wick into the wax, or a candle snuffer to suffocate the flame. These methods create less mess and smoke than blowing.
Wick dippers usually have a long handle with a hook on one end. Use the wick dipper to quickly dip the wick into the melted wax and then lift it back out.
Place the bell of the snuffer over the wick and lower it onto the flame. Hold it there until the flame goes out.
