
Blowing out a candle is an easy and quick way to extinguish the flame, but it can cause issues with wax and emit a lot of smoke. This smoke can reduce the effect of the candle's scent and cause issues with the candle vessel. To avoid this, you can use a wick dipper, which is a long-handled tool with a hook on one end, to dip the wick into the melted wax and extinguish the flame. Another option is to use a candle snuffer, which has a long handle with a bell-shaped end, to envelope the flame and snuff it out. If you don't want to buy any extra tools, you can use a household item like a pencil or an unfolded paper clip to bend the wick into the wax, extinguishing the flame without smoke.
How to blow out a candle without smoke
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tools | Wick dipper, candle snuffer, paper clip, pencil |
| Method | Use the tool to push the wick into the wax pool, then pull the wick out |
| Benefits | No smoke, no wax issues, preserves candle scent, easy to relight |
| Blowing out | Can be done, but risks wax issues and smoke |
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What You'll Learn

Use a wick dipper to push the wick into the wax
Using a wick dipper is an effective way to blow out a candle without producing smoke. Wick dippers are slender instruments with a long handle and a hook on one end. They are designed to gently submerge a burning candle's wick into a pool of molten wax, instantly snuffing out the flame without generating excessive smoke or splattering hot wax.
To use a wick dipper, simply bring the wick dipper around the sides of the wick and use it to quickly dip the wick into the melted wax. This cuts off the oxygen supply to the flame, extinguishing it immediately. Once the flame is out, lift the wick back out of the wax and straighten it. This method prevents the wick from bending, breaking, or curling, ensuring the candle burns slower and lasts longer.
Wick dippers are preferred over other methods like blowing out the candle or using a lid as they minimise mess and maintain the integrity of the wick. They also help prevent issues like tunneling, where a hole forms in the centre of the candle, resulting in wasted wax. Additionally, wick dippers can be used to coat the wick with melted wax after extinguishing the flame with a snuffer, ensuring a beautiful flame when you relight the candle.
If you don't have a wick dipper, you can use household alternatives such as long tweezers, pliers, a spoon, or even a paper clip to gently push the wick into the melted wax. However, the bent hook at the end of a wick dipper makes it easier to bring the wick back up after extinguishing the flame. Wick dippers are readily available in candle shops or craft stores, offering an elegant and efficient way to extinguish candles without the smoke.
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Use a candle snuffer
Using a candle snuffer is a great way to blow out a candle without smoke. Candle snuffers are bell, cylinder, or cone-shaped with handles on one end. They are usually made of metal and are designed to extinguish a candle's flame without causing any smoke. The bell-shaped end of the snuffer is placed over the wick, cutting off the oxygen supply to the flame and causing it to go out. This method is superior to blowing out a candle, as it prevents wax and soot from being blown around and keeps your candle soot-free and aesthetically pleasing.
- Hold the snuffer by its handle and gently hover the bell-shaped end over the wick. Ensure that you do not dip the snuffer into the wax, as this can cause debris to drop into the wax.
- Hold the snuffer in place for approximately 10 seconds or until the flame goes out completely. You may see a small wisp of smoke escape from around the edges of the bell, but this will be minimal compared to blowing out the candle.
- Once the flame is out, carefully remove the snuffer and place it in a safe, out-of-the-way place.
- If any wax has built up on the snuffer, you can clean it by soaking the bell-shaped portion in boiling water. Gently chip away at any leftover wax and wipe it dry with a clean towel.
Using a candle snuffer is a simple and effective way to extinguish a candle without creating smoke. It is a popular method that has been used for centuries and is still favoured today for its ability to minimise smoke and keep candles looking clean and new.
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Blowing out candles delicately
Blowing out candles can be done delicately, but it is not always the best method. Blowing out candles can cause issues with wax, such as unevenness and tunneling, and it can also cause the wick to emit a lot of smoke. This smoke can reduce the cold and warm throw of the candle and leave a residual smell in the room.
If you want to blow out a candle delicately and without smoke, it is recommended to wait until the entire surface of the candle has melted before blowing it out. This will prevent the candle from remembering where it stopped melting and only melting up to that point in the future. However, even with this method, there is still a risk of blowing wax everywhere and causing unevenness.
To avoid these issues, some people recommend using a wick dipper or a candle snuffer. A wick dipper is a tool with a long handle and a hook on 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 method will put out the flame without causing any smoke and will also help prepare the wick for the next use. A candle snuffer is another useful tool, usually with a long handle and a bell shape on one end. To extinguish the candle, hold the snuffer over the flame and lower the bell end onto it. Once the flame is fully enveloped, hold it there for a moment until it goes out. Make sure the snuffer does not go into the melted wax.
If you do not have access to a wick dipper or a candle snuffer, you can use a household item such as an unfolded paper clip or a pencil to bend the wick into the wax, extinguishing the flame without smoke.
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Using an unfolded paper clip to push the wick into the wax
Blowing out a candle can be unpleasant, as it may leave an unwanted smell of smoke in the room. One way to avoid this is to use an unfolded paper clip to push the wick into the wax.
First, you will need to unfold a paper clip. You can also use a similar tool, such as a spoon, or a long metal tool with a hook at the end, such as a wick dipper.
Once you have your tool, you can use it to push the wick into the pool of melted wax that forms beneath the flame. The hot wax will immediately put out the flame without emitting any smoke.
After extinguishing the flame, use your tool to pull the wick back out of the wax. Be careful not to leave the wick in the wax for too long, as it may become difficult to relight.
Using this method will also help prepare your wick for the next use by coating it with a fresh layer of wax.
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Opening a window to let the smoke out
Blowing out a candle is not recommended as it can cause issues with the wax, such as unevenness and tunneling. It also causes the candle wick to emit a lot of smoke, which can be unpleasant and linger in the room. To avoid this, you can use a wick dipper to extinguish the candle. This method involves using a long-handled tool with a hook or bell shape at one end to quickly dip the wick into the melted wax and then lift it back out. The hot wax will instantly put out the flame without emitting any smoke.
Another option is to use a candle snuffer, which is a long-handled tool with a bell-shaped end. You hold the snuffer over the candle and lower the bell end onto the flame. Once the flame is fully extinguished, you can remove the snuffer.
If you don't have access to a wick dipper or a candle snuffer, you can use a household item such as an unfolded paper clip or a pencil to bend the wick into the wax. This method will also put out the flame without causing any smoke.
However, if you do choose to blow out the candle and it produces smoke, you can open a window to let the smoke out and bring in fresh air. This will help clear the air and improve the indoor air quality.
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Frequently asked questions
Using your breath to blow out a candle can cause issues with wax and emit a lot of smoke. To avoid this, use a wick dipper to bend the wick into the wax, extinguishing the flame without any smoke.
A wick dipper is a tool with a long handle and a hook on one end. You can also use household items such as an unfolded paper clip or a pencil.
Yes, you can use a candle snuffer, which has a long handle with a bell shape on one end. Hold the snuffer over the candle and lower the bell end onto the flame.











































