Tyler Brooks
There are many ways to extinguish a candle, but blowing them out is the most common method. However, blowing out candles can show disrespect to angels and spirits, and it can also damage the wick, affecting the fragrance of scented candles. A better way to extinguish a candle is to use a candle wick dipper to reposition the wick, which will help the candle relight cleanly and quickly. Alternatively, you can extinguish a candle by lighting it with its own smoke, which is caused by vaporized wax. This trick works because the wax from the candle can catch fire, not the smoke.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to extinguish relighting candles | Use a wick dipper to put out the candle |
| Blow out the candle and immediately place another flame into the smoke | |
| Use a candle with wax that vaporizes less |
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What You'll Learn
Use a candle wick dipper to reposition the wick after extinguishing
A candle wick dipper is a slender, metal tool used to extinguish a candle's flame by dipping its wick into the wax. This prevents the smoke, soot, and wax spatter that can result from traditional methods like blowing or using a lid or snuffer. It also helps to straighten the wick, preventing it from bending, breaking, curling, or ""mushrooming," which can lead to uneven burning and dripping.
To use a wick dipper, start by placing your candle on a flat, stable surface away from drafts. Allow the candle to burn until a pool of wax forms around the wick. Hold the wick dipper by its handle and position the curved end towards the wick. Gently press the wick into the wax pool, submerging it completely, and hold it there for a few seconds until the flame naturally extinguishes due to the lack of oxygen.
After extinguishing the flame, slowly lift the wick out of the wax, using the dipper to straighten and reposition it for the next lighting. This process coats the wick with a fresh layer of wax, priming it for future burns and ensuring an even burn throughout each use.
Maintaining your wick dipper is straightforward. Allow it to cool down before handling, then use a soft cloth or paper towel to wipe away any wax residue. For more thorough cleaning, soak the dipper in warm soapy water for about 10 minutes, being careful not to submerge any wooden parts that could warp or stain. Finally, dry the wick dipper with a clean towel or air dry it completely before storing to prevent rust or damage.
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Avoid blowing candles out to preserve their fragrance
Blowing out a candle may seem like the most obvious and straightforward way to extinguish it, but it is not always the best method, especially if you want to preserve its fragrance. Blowing out a candle can create a sooty mess and leave behind unsightly black buildup on the wax or around the inside of the container. This soot can also be deposited on your skin or clothes, causing them to smell.
Additionally, blowing out a candle can cause a plume of thick, dark smoke, which can fill the room with an unpleasant burnt odour, detracting from the mood you carefully created by lighting your candle. It can also cause a mess by sending droplets of wax spraying, resulting in a big mess or even minor burns.
To avoid these issues and preserve the fragrance of your candle, it is recommended to use alternative methods to blowing it out. One popular method is to use a candle snuffer, also known as a douter. Candle snuffers have been used since the mid-17th century and are still popular today due to their effectiveness in quickly extinguishing the flame while minimising smoke and soot. They come in various shapes, including the traditional rounded bell shape, as well as cylinders, pyramids, and discs.
Another method to extinguish a candle without blowing it out is to use a wick dipper. Wick dippers have long handles that you use to quickly press the wick into the melted wax, extinguishing the flame. This method allows the candle to relight cleanly and quickly, releasing its original fragrance.
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Use a second flame to ignite the smoke trail of a blown-out candle
To extinguish a relighting candle, you can use a second flame to ignite the smoke trail of a blown-out candle. This is a neat science trick that can be done with a candle and a second source of flame, such as another candle, a lighter, or a match.
Firstly, light the candle and allow it to burn for a few seconds. Then, blow it out. You will see a trail of smoke rising from the wick. This "smoke trail" is not actually smoke, but vaporized wax. When you light a candle, the heat from the flame vaporizes the wax, and when you blow it out, the residual heat from the wick keeps vaporizing the wax, which remains in the air as a gas.
Now, immediately bring the second flame close to the smoke trail. The second flame will ignite the vaporized wax, and the flame will travel down the smoke trail to the wick, relighting the candle. It is important to do this quickly, as the vaporized wax will only remain in the air briefly. It is also important to ensure that the air is still, as wind can disrupt the smoke trail and make it harder to relight the candle.
This trick works because the vaporized wax is fuel, and when you bring the second flame close to the wick, it ignites the fuel, causing the flame to travel down to the wick. Some types of wax vaporize less than others, making it more difficult to light the smoke trail. For example, you could try using bayberry wax, soy wax, or tallow, which may be more challenging to relight.
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The smoke trail is actually vaporized wax, not smoke
When a candle is lit, the flame melts the wax, and some of the hot wax vaporises and is carried up into the smoke. This is why you can relight a candle by placing a flame into its smoke trail. The smoke trail is actually vaporised wax, not smoke.
When you blow out a candle, the residual heat from the wick keeps vaporising wax. The "smoke trail" you see is not smoke, but vaporised wax. By bringing another flame close to the fuel trail, you can reignite the candle. This is because the flame will catch the bits of wax in the smoke trail, and the flame will travel down to the wick.
The reason this works is that, in order for something to burn, you need to vaporise the fuel. So, when you light a candle, it takes a second or two to melt and vaporise the wax before it can ignite and become self-sustaining.
Some kinds of wax vaporise less than others, making it more difficult to light the smoke. For example, bayberry wax, soy wax, and tallow are types of wax that vaporise less.
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Some waxes are harder to relight than others
The type of wax used in candles influences how easy it is to relight them without using the wick. Some waxes vaporize less than others, making it more challenging to ignite the smoke. For example, bayberry wax, soy wax, and tallow are waxes that are harder to relight. Soy wax, a vegetable wax made from soybean oil, is denser than paraffin wax but softer, with a lower melting point. It is popular for candle-making because it is renewable, biodegradable, and burns cleaner than paraffin wax. Soy wax candles also have a longer burn time, making them a cost-effective and sustainable choice.
On the other hand, paraffin wax, a byproduct of petroleum refinement, has a relatively low melting point, making it easy to work with. Its melting point typically ranges from 120-160 degrees Fahrenheit, and it is often used in cosmetics due to its odorless and colorless nature. Beeswax, another natural wax, has a higher melting point of 145 degrees Fahrenheit, making it ideal for candles as it burns at a higher temperature for longer. Beeswax candles produce a subtle, pleasant scent and have been used for centuries in various applications.
The hardness of paraffin wax can vary, and this property may significantly affect its other physical attributes. Palm wax, derived from hydrogenating palm oil, is another example of a wax with varying hardness. It is used in creating shiny finishes and is also found in beauty products. Candelilla wax, derived from Candelilla shrub leaves, is typically yellowish or brown and is used in beauty products, cardboard coating, dyes, and paints.
Different waxes have distinct characteristics, and their suitability for candle-making depends on various factors, including melting point, hardness, burn time, and environmental impact. These factors collectively influence the ease of relighting a candle without its wick.
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Frequently asked questions
To extinguish a relighting candle, use a candle wick dipper to put it out. Immediately reposition the wick with the dipper, and when you're ready to relight it, it will burn cleanly and quickly, releasing its original fragrance. Antique wick dippers are also prized by collectors and candle connoisseurs.
Blowing out a candle can cause a burnt, smoke-scented room, which takes away from the mood you're trying to create. Blowing out a candle can also show disrespect to angels and spirits, according to some sources.
When you light a candle, the heat from the flame vaporises the wax. When you blow it out, vaporised wax briefly remains in the air. If you apply a heat source quickly enough, you can ignite the wax vapour and use that reaction to relight the wick.
