Maddie James
Candles are a great way to promote a romantic mood, a lovely scent, and a calming feel. However, the resulting smoke and hazy air can be unpleasant. The amount of smoke produced by a candle depends on the conditions in which it is burned and the quality of the candle itself. For instance, exposing a candle to a draught will cause it to start smoking. Similarly, blowing out a candle will cause it to smoke due to incomplete combustion. This is where tools like candle wick dippers and candle snuffers come in handy. They help extinguish the candle without causing it to smoke.
How to divert smoke from candles
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Candle type | Well-made candles with proper wicks and wax should not smoke. |
| Wick length | Trimmed wicks create a calm, steady flame with complete combustion. Untrimmed wicks burn and cause smoke. |
| Wick type | There are hundreds of different types and weaves of wicks. Using the wrong wick can result in poor burning. |
| Wick maintenance | Wicks should be trimmed to around 1/4 inch. |
| Draught | Candles exposed to draughts will start to smoke. |
| Blowing out | Blowing out a candle will cause it to smoke due to incomplete combustion. |
| Lid | Using a lid to extinguish a candle traps smoke, which can infuse back into the wax and change its scent. |
| Wick dipper | Using a wick dipper to bend the wick into the wax is an effective way to extinguish a candle without smoke. |
| Candle snuffer | Using a candle snuffer is a recommended way to extinguish a candle, reducing smoke. |
| Ventilation | Burning candles in a well-ventilated room can help reduce smoke. |
| Candle placement | Moving a candle out of a draught can prevent flickering and smoking. |
| Wax type | Soy-based and beeswax candles are healthier options that promote cleaner, more purified air. |
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What You'll Learn
Use a candle wick dipper
Using a candle wick dipper is an effective way to divert smoke from candles. A wick dipper is a slender, metal tool used in candle care to minimise smoke and soot when extinguishing a candle. It is designed to gently submerge the lit wick into the pool of molten wax, snuffing out the flame without producing smoke or scattering soot and hot wax.
To use a wick dipper, wait until the wax around the wick has melted and formed a small pool. Then, use the dipper to gently press the wick into this pool of wax until the flame goes out. The hot wax will immediately extinguish the flame without emitting any smoke. After using the wick dipper, check the height of the wick. If it's too low, gently adjust it to around 1/4 inch before relighting to prevent excessive smoking.
Wick dippers have been used since ancient times and gained popularity in the 17th and 18th centuries as they minimised mess and maintained the integrity of the wick. They are also known for their durability and sleek appearance, and their heat-resistant nature makes them a safe choice for extinguishing candles.
In addition to reducing smoke, wick dippers offer several other benefits. They help prevent the wick from "mushrooming" or developing a carbon buildup at the tip, which can lead to uneven burning and dripping. By coating the wick with wax, wick dippers promote a slower and more even burn, enhancing the candle's longevity and maintaining a cleaner burning process.
Wick dippers are an essential tool for candle care, ensuring a smoke-free environment and contributing to the sustainability and longevity of candles. They are a great alternative to traditional methods like blowing out a candle, which can often result in a cloud of smoke, soot, and hot wax.
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Avoid blowing out the candle
Blowing out a candle is a common method to extinguish the flame, but it does have its drawbacks. Firstly, it can cause issues with the wax, such as unevenness or tunneling, where the wax pushes to the side of the container. This can make the wick harder to relight and reduce the fragrance throw of the candle. Blowing out a candle can also result in wax being blown everywhere, creating a mess. Additionally, blowing out a candle can release smoke, which can leave an unpleasant after-scent in the room and coat the inside of the candle container with soot. This smoke can also affect the scent of the candle, reducing the pleasant fragrance you were trying to create.
To avoid these issues, there are alternative methods to blowing out a candle that can help minimise smoke and preserve the fragrance. One popular method is to use a wick dipper, a long metal tool with a flat handle on one end and a thin tip with a bent hook on the other. To use a wick dipper, gently press the lit candle wick into the wax pool, which will instantly snuff out the flame, and then pull the wick back up into a straight position. This method produces minimal to no smoke and helps to re-coat the wick with wax, making it easier to relight and ensuring a clean flame. Another benefit of using a wick dipper is that it can help prepare your wick for the next use, prolonging the life of your candle.
Another recommended method to extinguish a candle without blowing it out is to use a candle snuffer, also known as a douter or extinguisher. Candle snuffers are long-stemmed metal rods with a small cone or bell-shaped end. To use a candle snuffer, hover the cone or bell over the flame and lower it until it touches the surface of the wax pool, cutting off the oxygen and extinguishing the flame. This method produces slightly more smoke than a wick dipper but is still minimal. Candle snuffers are elegant and sophisticated, and they prevent debris from falling into the wax pool. They are also safe to use, as your fingers are not close to the flame when extinguishing.
If you don't have access to a wick dipper or a candle snuffer, there are some household items you can use to avoid blowing out the candle. One option is to use a long metal tool, such as a spoon or an unbent paperclip, to press the wick into the wax, similar to how a wick dipper works. Another simple method is to suffocate the flame by putting a lid on the candle jar. However, it is important to note that not all lids are suitable for extinguishing candles, as some are made of flammable or heat-sensitive materials that can melt or deform. Additionally, using a lid can trap smoke and soot inside the jar, affecting the appearance and fragrance of the candle.
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Keep the candle away from drafts
Keeping your candle away from drafts is one of the most important things to do to prevent smoke. Candles burn best in still air. If too much or too little air reaches the candle flame, it will disturb the ideal teardrop shape of the flame, causing it to flicker and smoke.
To avoid this, always burn your candles in a well-ventilated room, away from drafts, vents, or strong air currents. If a draft can't be avoided, try shielding the flame by placing it in a candle holder and turning the candle periodically to avoid uneven burning and possible collapse.
You can also prevent smoke by keeping the wick trimmed to around 1/4 inch. A trimmed wick creates a calm, steady flame, which means the candle's burning process is in balance. The wick efficiently pulls up the right amount of wax, and the flame creates complete combustion. If the wick is too long, it won't be able to draw wax all the way to the top, and the wick itself will start to burn, causing it to smoke. A too-long wick can also cause the flame to grow too long and flare, producing soot.
Another way to prevent smoke is to use the correct method to extinguish the candle. Blowing out a candle will cause it to smoke due to incomplete combustion. Instead, use a candle wick dipper to push the wick into the pool of hot wax and then pull it back out. This will extinguish the flame without causing any smoke and will also help prepare the wick for the next use.
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Trim the wick
Trimming the wick of a candle is an important step to ensure a clean, even burn, increase the lifespan of your candle, and reduce the risk of fire hazards. A trimmed wick creates a calm, steady flame, which means the candle's burning process is in balance. The wick efficiently pulls up the right amount of wax, and the flame creates complete combustion.
If the wick is too long, it won't be able to draw wax all the way to the top, and the wick itself will start to burn, causing it to smoke. A long wick can also cause the candle flame to grow too long and flare, producing soot. This soot can leave black smoke stains on your candle vessel and, even worse, on nearby walls or items in your home.
The ideal length for a wick is about 1/4 of an inch for an even and clean burn. Different wick types and wax blends will have different recommendations, but the general consensus is to keep the wick, whether cotton or wooden, from 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch tall. A healthy flame height is typically 1/2 inch to 1 inch. If your wick is too tall, simply extinguish the candle and trim the wick slightly.
You can use a wick trimmer, scissors, or a butter knife to trim the wick. Many candle manufacturers recommend trimming the wick before lighting the candle and after extinguishing it, but make sure the candle is completely cool before trimming.
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Use a candle snuffer
Using a candle snuffer is an effective way to divert smoke from candles. A candle snuffer is a small cone at the end of a handle, used to extinguish candles. It is a traditional, elegant, and efficient way to put out a candle, preserving its beauty and longevity. Here are some tips for using a candle snuffer:
Firstly, it is important to pay attention to how you hold the snuffer over the candle. Hold the snuffer handle and gently bring the bell-shaped end over the flame without touching the wax or wick. Avoid dipping the snuffer into the wax, as this can cause debris to drop into the wax. Instead, hover it over the wick for about 10 seconds, allowing the lack of oxygen to extinguish the flame securely without smoke.
Once the flame is out, lift the snuffer straight up and away from the candle. Be careful when handling metal snuffers, as they can get hot. After extinguishing the candle, cover it with a lid to prevent any remaining smoke from escaping. Additionally, ensure that you use the snuffer in a well-ventilated area to further reduce smoke accumulation.
Candle snuffers are superior to blowing out candles, as they prevent wax and soot from being blown around, keeping your surroundings clean. They also protect the wick and wax, ensuring the candle continues to burn properly. Using a candle snuffer is an essential part of candle care, enhancing the overall candle experience.
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Frequently asked questions
A well-made candle shouldn't smoke, but it will if it's exposed to a draught. To prevent this, keep your candle away from windows, vents, or fans. You should also ensure that the wick is trimmed to around 1/4 inch.
Blowing out a candle will cause it to smoke, so it's best to use a candle snuffer or a wick dipper instead. A snuffer has a long handle with a bell shape on one end. To put out your candle, hold the snuffer over the candle and lower the bell end onto the flame. A wick dipper is a metal stick that you use to push the wick into the wax to extinguish the flame.
If you're blowing out a candle, opening a window will help to clear the air. You can also try using candles made from soy wax or beeswax, which are healthier options that promote cleaner, more purified air.
