Tyler Brooks
Burning a candle correctly is important to ensure that you get the most out of your candle and to prevent issues such as tunnelling, where the candle burns downwards instead of outwards, leaving wax unused. To finish a candle correctly, it is recommended to trim the wick to between 1/8 and 1/4 of an inch long before each burn, as this will keep the flame healthy and consistent, prevent excessive smoke, and result in a cleaner, brighter burn. Additionally, allowing the top layer of wax to melt all the way across before blowing out the candle will help maintain an even burn and prevent tunnelling. For candles that have already tunnelled, an extra-long burn can be used to correct the issue and ensure the remaining wax is used up.
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What You'll Learn
Always trim the wick to 1/8-1/4 inches before lighting
Trimming the wick of a candle to 1/8-1/4 inches before lighting is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it ensures a cleaner and brighter burn. When a wick is left untrimmed, it can take on an odd shape that dulls and obscures the flame. This can cause the candle to burn unevenly, leading to wasted wax and an unsightly appearance.
Additionally, an excessively long wick can produce nasty smoky stains on the inside of glass jar candles. This is because the wax is drawn up to the flame, and a longer wick makes it harder for the wax to reach the flame. By keeping the wick trimmed, you promote a healthier and more consistent flame that can efficiently access the wax.
Trimming the wick also helps prevent a phenomenon known as "candle tunneling." This occurs when a candle burns downwards rather than outwards, creating a tunnel-like shape in the center. Candle tunneling can be caused by drafts or an uneven initial burn, and it can be challenging to fix once it starts. By always trimming the wick, you encourage the candle to burn evenly and reduce the likelihood of tunneling.
To trim your wick, you can use a variety of tools such as scissors, nail clippers, or a dedicated wick trimmer. It is important to trim the wick every time before lighting your candle to maintain optimal burning conditions and get the most out of your candle.
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Avoid drafts and air currents
To ensure your candle burns evenly and you get the most out of your purchase, it is important to avoid drafts and air currents. A draft can cause the candle to burn more on one side than the other, leading to uneven burning and wasting wax. This is known as tunnelling, where the wick sinks lower and lower, forming a tunnel through the centre of the candle. Eventually, the tunnel becomes so deep that it is difficult to light the wick at all.
To avoid this, keep your candle away from open windows, fans, air conditioners, and areas with high footfall. Moving air can disturb the flame, causing smoke and staining the candle jar or tin. It can also lead to tunnelling and other issues.
If you are burning a candle with multiple wicks, be mindful of the diameter of the candle surface. If it is more than 5-6cm, it is unlikely that one wick will produce enough heat to melt the wax all the way across within the recommended time of 4 hours. In this case, consider using multiple candles or opting for a candle with more wicks to ensure even burning.
Additionally, be mindful of the length of time you burn your candle. Burning a candle for longer than 4 hours can cause carbon to collect on the wick, leading to a phenomenon known as "mushrooming." This can also contribute to uneven burning and waste.
By following these tips and being mindful of drafts and air currents, you can help ensure your candle burns evenly and that you get the most out of your purchase.
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Burn for several hours to avoid tunnelling
Burning a candle for a longer period can help prevent tunnelling. Tunnelling occurs when a candle burns downwards instead of outwards, leaving a ring of unburnt wax around the sides. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including a draft, an incorrectly sized wick, or a brief first lighting.
To avoid tunnelling, it is recommended that you burn your candle for a longer duration, typically between one and four hours, depending on the candle's size. This allows the wax to melt evenly and prevents the formation of a memory ring, which can cause tunnelling in subsequent burns. For example, a candle with a diameter of three inches should be burned for approximately three hours. This ensures that the wax liquefies uniformly and helps maintain a flat candle surface.
Additionally, trimming the wick to a length of about 1/4 inch before each burn is crucial. Untrimmed wicks can cause excessive flickering, smoke, uneven burns, and wasted wax. They can also lead to the formation of a "mushroom" at the tip of the wick. Therefore, keeping the wick trimmed helps control the size of the flame and promotes a cleaner and brighter burn.
It is also important to choose good-quality candles made from premium ingredients and sustainable wax blends. These candles burn more evenly and for a longer duration, reducing the likelihood of tunnelling and maximising the life of the candle.
By following these guidelines of burning for extended periods and maintaining the wick, you can effectively avoid tunnelling and enjoy your candles to their fullest potential.
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Extinguish without blowing
Blowing out a candle may seem like the most straightforward method, but it can cause issues with your wax, such as unevenness and tunneling. It can also result in wax being blown everywhere, and the wick emitting a lot of smoke, which can reduce the scent of the candle and leave an unpleasant after-scent.
A better alternative is to use a wick dipper, a long-handled tool with a hook at the 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 ensures that the candle is extinguished instantly with very little smoke. It also helps preserve the quality of the wax and fragrance.
Another recommended method is to use a candle snuffer, which also has a long handle but with a bell shape at the end. Hold the snuffer over the candle and lower the bell end onto the lit flame. Once the flame is fully extinguished, hold the snuffer in place for a moment before removing it. Ensure that the snuffer does not come into contact with the melted wax.
If your candle comes with a lid or topper, you can also use this to extinguish the flame by depriving it of oxygen. However, this method can trap smoke, which can then infuse back into the wax and potentially alter the scent.
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Repurpose leftover wax
There are many ways to repurpose leftover candle wax. Here are some ideas:
Make Miniature Candles
Tealights are miniature candles in shallow metal or plastic cups. All you need to make one is some leftover wax, an empty tealight cup, and a small tealight wick. You can purchase these inexpensively from your local craft store or online. Remove the wax from its jar and melt it into the new tealight container.
Create Fragrant Pouches
Turn leftover wax into fragrant pouches to add pleasant scents to small spaces like closets, clothing drawers, or even your car. You can find pre-made bags online or use off-cuts of your favourite fabrics. Linen works well for contemporary spaces, while burlap suits traditional or rustic rooms.
Make Wax Seals
Melt your leftover wax in an old saucepan and pour a small amount onto an envelope. Press the wax into your envelope with a wax seal stamp, a wine cork, or the back of a spoon to create a unique design.
Create Wax Melts
Leftover wax can be removed from its jar and placed into a wax melter to create homemade wax melts. You can also add a few drops of essential oil and place pressed flowers in the wax for a decorative touch.
Make Votives
Cut a piece of wicking from your local craft store and knot one end. Thread the other end through a wick tab and tie it around a wooden skewer. Dip the wicking and tab into the melted wax to coat them, then press the tab to the bottom of a votive holder. Pour melted wax into the votive holder and let it stand until it sets.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to trim the wick to between 1/8 and 1/4 of an inch long before each burn.
Burning your candle for more than 4 hours at a time will cause carbon to collect on the wick. It is also important to burn the candle until the top layer of wax has melted all the way across to prevent tunnelling.
Tunnelling occurs when a candle burns downwards rather than outwards. To prevent this, ensure your candle is away from drafts and burn the candle for long enough for the wax to melt all the way across.
You can melt the remaining wax on any sufficient heat source, such as by placing three tealights in a shallow bowl, improvising a rack on top, and placing the candle on it. Alternatively, you can use a candle warmer or put the wax in a little sachet bag and put it in your drawer.
