Ben Carter
Blowing out a candle can cause an unpleasant smoky smell and leave soot on the wick and wax. To avoid this, some recommend using a wick dipper to bend the wick into the wax, extinguishing the flame without smoke. Another option is to use a candle snuffer, a small metal cup at the end of a long handle, to deprive the flame of oxygen and stifle it. For those who don't mind blowing out their candles, it is recommended to wait until the entire surface of the candle has melted before doing so to prevent tunneling.
How to blow out a candle without it smelling
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wait time before blowing | Wait until the entire surface of the candle has melted before blowing it out. |
| Blowing technique | Stand a few inches away from the candle and purse your lips together before blowing. |
| Ventilation | Open a window to let in fresh air and clear out smoky air. |
| Candle type | Soy-based and beeswax candles are healthier options that promote cleaner, more purified air. |
| Alternative to blowing | Use a wick dipper to bend the wick into the wax, extinguishing the flame without smoke. |
| Alternative to blowing | Use a candle snuffer to stifle the flame by depriving it of oxygen. |
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What You'll Learn
Use a wick dipper
Blowing out a candle is not always the best option, as it can cause issues with wax and emit a lot of smoke. This can reduce the effect of the candle's fragrance, both in its cold throw and the residual warm throw that may be left in the room.
Using a wick dipper is one of the top two recommended ways to put out a candle without it smelling. Wick dippers usually have a long handle with a hook or a bend at one end. To extinguish the candle, 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. This method is quick, simple, and effective. It also helps prepare your wick for the next use.
You can use a variety of tools as a wick dipper, such as tweezers, an unfolded paper clip, or an old utensil. Simply bring the tool around the sides of the wick, rather than directly over the top, and use it to push the wick into the small pool of wax that forms beneath the flame.
Wick dippers are available in many attractive designs, and antique dippers are also prized by collectors and candle connoisseurs.
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Use a snuffer
Using a candle snuffer is a great way to extinguish a candle without it smelling. Candle snuffers are long-handled tools with a bell-shaped cone at one end. They are superior to blowing out a candle because they prevent wax and soot from being blown around and potentially getting stuck inside your candle vessel. This protects your wick and wax, and prevents debris from falling into your wax. Candle snuffers are also aesthetically pleasing and add a sense of sophistication to a room.
To use a candle snuffer, gently hover it over the wick for around 10 seconds, ensuring that you do not dip it into the wax. This will prevent the snuffer from bumping against the wick and causing debris to drop into the wax. When the snuffer is fully enveloping the flame, hold it there for a moment until the flame goes out.
If you accidentally dip your snuffer into the wax, you can clean it by soaking the bell-shaped portion in boiling water. Then, gently chip away at any leftover wax and wipe it dry with a clean towel.
Candle snuffers are an effective way to extinguish a candle without altering its fragrance. By cutting off the oxygen supply to the flame, the snuffer extinguishes the flame without releasing smoke into the open air. This method also maintains the health and appearance of your candle, keeping it clean and free of ash.
Overall, using a candle snuffer is a recommended way to put out a candle, as it preserves the quality of the candle wax and fragrance.
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Melt the entire surface before blowing
Blowing out a candle can cause issues with the wax, such as unevenness and tunneling. Tunneling occurs when a candle is blown out before the wax has melted across the top, causing the candle to remember where it stopped melting and only melt up to that point in the future. This results in wax being left unused along the sides, reducing the candle's fragrance throw.
To prevent tunneling, leave the candle burning until the wax has melted all the way across the top. Only then should you blow it out. This may take some time, but it is necessary if you want to avoid tunneling.
If you are in a rush and cannot wait for the entire surface of the candle to melt, there are other ways to extinguish a candle without causing tunneling. One way is to use a wick dipper to bend the wick into the wax. This method extinguishes the flame without any smoke and makes it easier to relight the candle. Another way is to use a candle snuffer, which extinguishes the flame by depriving it of oxygen. This method also produces little to no smoke.
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Open a window
Opening a window is an effective way to dissipate the smell of blown-out candles. This method leverages ventilation to disperse the smoke and odour that arises when extinguishing a candle.
To implement this technique successfully, identify a window in proximity to the candle. If the candle is situated indoors, opt for a window in the same room to minimise the spread of the scent throughout the entire indoor space. For candles located outdoors, select a window closest to the candle setup.
Once you've chosen the appropriate window, proceed to open it wide enough to facilitate ample airflow. Ensure that the window is not obstructed by curtains or blinds, as these can impede the flow of air and hinder the ventilation process. Ideally, the window should remain open before, during, and after the candle is blown out to maintain a continuous flow of fresh air.
The act of opening a window introduces outdoor air into the indoor environment, creating ventilation. This ventilation serves to dilute and disperse the smoke and odour produced by the extinguished candle. By allowing fresh air to circulate, the scent molecules are rapidly carried away, preventing them from lingering and causing an unpleasant aroma.
Additionally, opening a window can aid in preventing the accumulation of soot and other by-products of combustion. Proper ventilation helps maintain a balanced indoor air quality, ensuring the space remains comfortable and breathable. This is especially beneficial if multiple candles have been lit simultaneously, as it mitigates the potential for a strong concentration of candle smoke and scent.
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Try a paper clip
Blowing out a candle is the most common way to extinguish it. However, it can cause hot wax to splatter, potentially burning your skin or damaging nearby objects. It also often results in a large plume of smoke, which can leave an unpleasant smell and even set off smoke alarms.
A simple way to avoid the smoke is to use a paper clip. Unfold the paper clip and use it to bend the wick down into the melted wax pool. This will extinguish the flame without creating smoke. Make sure to pull the wick out again right away to avoid losing it inside the wax.
There are other methods to extinguish a candle without creating smoke. One way is to use a wick dipper, which is a long metal tool with a flat handle on one end and a thin tip with a bent hook on the other. Use it to gently press the lit candle wick into the wax pool, instantly snuffing out the flame. Then, use the dipper to straighten the wick, preparing it for the next use. This method produces almost no smoke and also re-coats the wick with wax, making it easier to light the next time.
Another way to extinguish a candle without creating smoke is to use a candle snuffer. Candle snuffers are usually available wherever candles are sold and come in various sizes. Place the bell of the snuffer, which is the small metal cup at the end of the long handle, over the wick. Lower the bell over the flame to deprive it of oxygen, stifling it gradually. Unlike blowing out the candle, this won't create as much smoke or soot. Hold the snuffer over the flame for at least one full second to ensure it's completely extinguished.
If you want to avoid using any tools, you can also extinguish a candle without creating smoke by waiting until the entire surface of the candle has melted before blowing it out. When 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Blowing out a candle can cause an unpleasant smell and leave soot on the wick. To avoid this, use a wick dipper to bend the wick into the wax, extinguishing the flame without smoke.
A wick dipper is a tool with a long handle and a hook on one end. It is used to extinguish a candle by dipping the wick into the melted wax.
Wick dippers can be purchased wherever candles are sold. Antique dippers are also prized by collectors and candle connoisseurs.
Yes, a candle snuffer can be used to extinguish a candle without creating as much smoke or soot. Candle snuffers are inexpensive and can be found in various shapes and sizes.
