Maddie James
Blowing out candles on a birthday cake is a tradition, but it's not the only way to extinguish a candle. Blowing out candles can cause issues like wax tunneling and unevenness, and it can also cause a sooty mess. There are several alternative methods to blowing out a candle, such as using a wick dipper, a candle snuffer, or a lid. These methods can help preserve the quality of the candle wax and fragrance and create less smoke.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wait time | Wait until the entire surface of the candle has melted before blowing out the candle |
| Blowing technique | Create a thin stream of air, purse your lips together and blow |
| Distance from candle | Move in until you’re only a few inches away, with the wick at around mouth level |
| Use of tools | Wick dippers, candle snuffers, lids |
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What You'll Learn
Use a wick dipper
Using a wick dipper is a great way to blow out candles without using your breath. Wick dippers are slender instruments with long handles and a hook at one end. They are designed to submerge a burning candle's wick into a pool of molten wax, extinguishing the flame without the usual puff of smoke and scattering of soot and hot wax that accompanies traditional methods like blowing.
The wick dipper offers a safe and efficient method to blow out candles. It gently submerges the wick into the melted wax, preventing it from bending, breaking, or curling, which can happen when blowing out a candle. It also helps to avoid issues like tunneling, where a hole forms in the centre of the candle, leaving the outer wax untouched and resulting in wasted wax.
To use a wick dipper effectively, bring it around the sides of the wick rather than directly over the top. Quickly dip the wick into the wax and then lift it back out. This will instantly extinguish the flame with minimal smoke. After using the wick dipper, check the height of the wick. If it's too low, gently adjust it to around a quarter of an inch before relighting to prevent excessive smoking.
Wick dippers contribute to the overall longevity of your candles. When used consistently, they can make your candles burn slower and last longer compared to candles extinguished by blowing. They also help to maintain the purity of the air in your space and the cleanliness and fragrance of your candles.
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Use a candle snuffer
Using a candle snuffer is a great way to blow out candles without using your breath. Candle snuffers are bell, cylinder, or cone-shaped with handles on one end. They are often made of metal and are designed to be placed over a lit candle wick to extinguish the flame. Here are some tips for using a candle snuffer effectively:
When it's time to extinguish the flame, gently hover the candle snuffer over the wick without dipping it into the wax. Hold it there for about 10 seconds, ensuring that the snuffer does not touch the wick. This will deprive the flame of oxygen, causing it to go out gradually without creating smoke or blowing wax everywhere.
Pay close attention to how you hold the snuffer over the candle. Avoid dipping it too far down to prevent the snuffer from bumping against the wick or dropping debris into the wax. This technique will help you avoid the rookie mistake of having pieces of the wick fall into your wax.
If you accidentally dip the snuffer into the wax, don't worry! Simply soak the bell-shaped portion of the snuffer in boiling water to clean it. Gently chip away at any leftover wax and wipe it dry with a clean towel.
Using a candle snuffer is a preferred method to blowing out candles because it protects the quality of your candle. It helps prevent issues like tunneling, unevenness, and soot buildup, ensuring that your candle burns properly and retains its fragrance.
Candle snuffers are not just functional but also aesthetically pleasing. They come in various shapes and designs, adding a sense of sophistication and decor to your space. Whether you choose a modern or antique style, candle snuffers are an elegant way to extinguish your candles without using your breath.
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Put a lid on it
Using a candle's lid to extinguish the flame is a method that works by removing oxygen, thereby stopping the combustion reaction between oxygen and wax that produces water vapour, carbon dioxide, and heat. This method is better than blowing out the candle, as it produces less smoke and preserves the candle's fragrance. However, it is not recommended due to the following reasons:
Firstly, not all candle lids are suitable for extinguishing flames. Some lids are purely decorative and made from flammable or heat-sensitive materials like wood, plastic, or rubber seals that can melt or deform when exposed to heat. Secondly, using the lid traps smoke and soot inside the jar, leaving black, sooty residue on the underside of the lid and the insides of the container. The trapped soot can also settle into the wax, affecting the appearance and scent of the candle. Thirdly, the trapped smoke can gradually alter the original fragrance of the candle, causing it to smell smoky over time. Lastly, if there is a lot of empty space in the container, the flame may continue to burn until it uses up all the oxygen, creating a vacuum seal that suctions the lid tightly to the jar, making it difficult to open.
Therefore, while using a lid to extinguish a candle can reduce smoke and preserve the fragrance, it is important to consider the potential drawbacks and opt for alternative methods such as wick dippers or candle snuffers, which are safer and more effective in maintaining the beauty and longevity of your candles.
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Use your fingers
Using your fingers to extinguish a candle is possible, but it can be dangerous. The biggest issue with this method is the risk of burning yourself, so it is important to be cautious and quick.
Firstly, you should wet your fingers. This protective layer of moisture will prevent your skin from burning. You can either lick your fingers or, if there is a source of water nearby, wet them that way.
Next, you need to act quickly. Use your thumb and forefinger to make a pinching motion around the wick, then immediately release. The moisture on your fingers should cause the flame to go out. If it doesn't, blow out the candle, shorten the wick, and try again.
It is important to note that this method can be dangerous, and you may still feel a warm sensation. If you do burn your fingers, apply some aloe to soothe the pain.
Using your fingers to extinguish a candle is not the most recommended method. It is generally advised to use a wick dipper or a candle snuffer to preserve the quality of the candle's wax and fragrance.
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Try a household item, like a pencil
Blowing out candles can be dangerous and cause accidents, burns, and fires. It can also create a sooty mess, with smoke and soot coating the inside of the candle vessel. This can ruin the candle's fragrance and cause an unpleasant lingering smell.
One way to avoid this is to use a household item, like a pencil, to extinguish the flame. This method is similar to using a wick dipper, which is an age-old trick to put out the flame without causing any smoke.
Here's how to do it:
- Use a pencil to push the candle wick into the small pool of wax that forms beneath the flame.
- The hot wax will immediately put out the flame without emitting any smoke.
- Quickly pull the wick out of the wax with a pair of tweezers or scissors.
- Straighten the wick to provide a neater look and prepare it for the next use.
Using a pencil or other household items like a screwdriver or scissors is a great alternative to blowing out candles or using a candle snuffer. It helps to avoid the mess and potential dangers of blowing out candles, while also preserving the fragrance and aesthetics of the candle.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use a wick dipper to push the wick into the wax, which will immediately extinguish the flame without creating smoke.
A wick dipper is a long-handled tool with a hook at one end.
Yes, you can use a candle snuffer, which looks like a small bell at the end of a long handle. Place the bell over the wick to deprive the flame of oxygen.
Blowing out a candle can cause wax to spray, create a smoky smell, and leave soot on your skin and clothes. It can also cause tunneling, where the wax becomes uneven, and the wick becomes harder to relight.
Allow the candle to burn until the wax has melted all the way across the top before extinguishing the flame.
