Ben Carter
Candles are a great way to set the mood, but they can be dangerous if not handled properly. To prevent fires, it is important to know how to control a candle flame and extinguish it when necessary. A candle requires three things to burn: fuel, oxygen, and heat. Removing any one of these components will cause the flame to go out. For example, blowing out a candle removes oxygen, while drafts can remove heat. Candle fires are dangerous and can cause severe property damage, so it is important to know how to extinguish a candle flame safely.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flame goes out | Ran out of wax, oxygen, or was blown out |
| Prevent flame from going out | Maintain a stable flame by ensuring fuel, oxygen, and heat are present |
| Flame is too high | Excessively tall wick, placed in a drafty area, or thick wax |
| Reduce flame height | Cut wick short, place candle on a non-drafty surface, use candle wax with lower viscosity |
| Extinguishing a fire | Cover flame with a metal pot lid, cookie sheet, or fire blanket to restrict oxygen |
| Use a Class K or Class B fire extinguisher |
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What You'll Learn
Starving the flame of fuel
To extinguish a candle flame, one must remove one of the three essential elements that fuel its combustion: fuel, oxygen, and heat. Starving the flame of fuel is one way to do this.
The combustible material in a candle is the wax. When a candle is lit, the heat of the flame melts the wax around the wick. The wick, usually made from cotton or other absorbent material, then sucks up the liquid wax and pulls it upward into the flame. Once the liquid wax gets hot enough, it turns into a gas that reacts with oxygen from the air, creating the candle flame.
The flame of a candle will naturally reduce in size as the candle burns and the wick becomes very small, eventually causing the flame to go out. This is because, as the wick gets smaller, there is less surface area for the wax to adhere to, and thus less fuel for the flame.
However, a candle flame can also be starved of fuel prematurely in a few ways. One way is to use fragrance oils that are not optimised for candle-making. These oils can effectively ''cook'' the wick, turning it into charcoal and preventing the capillary action that draws wax up through the wick. Mica powder used in fragranced wax can also clog the wick over time, stopping the flow of fuel to the flame.
Another way to starve a candle flame of fuel is to blow it out. By blowing out a candle, you are removing the heat required for combustion, thereby disrupting the flow of fuel to the flame.
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Removing oxygen supply
One way to remove the oxygen supply to a candle flame is to cover it with a jar. The oxygen inside the jar will be used up by the flame, and once it is gone, the flame will go out. Another way to remove the oxygen supply is to blow out the candle. When you blow on a candle, you are removing heat from the system and blowing the flame away from its fuel source. The cold air replaces the hot air, and once the temperature on the surface of the fuel drops below a critical level, the flame disappears. This is because the flame is no longer able to get the heat back without external action, such as lighting it again.
Blowing out a candle can also dilute and cool the wax vapour below the point where the wax and air molecules can react. The oxygen flow created by blowing on the candle might also remove the vapour fuel so that the flame becomes a detached fireball, and the wick and wax of the candle cool down. However, it is important to note that blowing too gently on a candle flame might have the opposite effect, as more air is supplied to the flame, causing it to burn harder.
Another way to remove the oxygen supply to a candle flame is to use carbon dioxide, which is heavier than air. Carbon dioxide molecules push the oxygen and other molecules in the air away from the wick, preventing them from reacting with the wax. This makes the flame go out.
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Using baking soda
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, can be used to put out a candle flame. This is a safe and easy science experiment that can be performed at home. It is important to note that an adult should always be present when conducting such experiments.
To start, place a tea light candle in a glass or ceramic dish. The candle should be lower than the top of the dish to avoid spilling. Light the candle and let it burn for a few seconds. The candle requires three elements to continue burning: heat, fuel, and oxygen. By removing oxygen, the flame will be extinguished.
Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda around the candle, covering the bottom of the dish with about a quarter-inch layer. This ensures that when vinegar is added, it will react with the baking soda without spilling over. The chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar produces carbon dioxide (CO2). This gas is denser than normal air, so it sinks and stays in the dish.
Now, carefully pour vinegar onto the baking soda. Avoid getting any liquid or foam on the flame. The vinegar will react with the baking soda, creating carbon dioxide. This gas will fill the dish and displace the oxygen that the candle needs to burn. As a result, the flame will be suffocated and go out.
If the flame does not go out on the first try, add more baking soda to the vinegar and repeat the process. This time, the increased amount of baking soda will ensure a larger release of carbon dioxide, effectively smothering the flame. This experiment demonstrates the power of carbon dioxide in extinguishing fires and the importance of oxygen as one of the key elements for a fire to thrive.
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Trimming the wick
If you trim the wick too short, you can expose more wick by melting the surrounding wax with a heat gun, blow dryer, or wand lighter, then slowly pouring out the melted wax. You can also light the candle and let it burn for about 30 minutes to melt the wax pool, then extinguish the flame and dispose of the melted wax. Allow the candle to fully cool before relighting it.
To fix a wick that is tilted, bent, or curled, melt the wax until it is soft, then use tweezers or a Q-tip to nudge the wick back into an upright position. Hold it in place until the wax cools. To prevent tunneling, where only a small area of wax around the wick melts, creating a small hole, allow the candle to burn for one hour for every 1 inch in diameter of the candle size. This will allow the entire surface of the wax to melt evenly.
It is important to trim the wick before each burn and to avoid trimming it immediately after extinguishing the candle, as the jar will be too hot to handle. Store candles in a cool, dark, and dry place with the lid on to keep them clean and protect the wax and fragrance. Highly fragrant candles have a lifespan of 6 to 12 months, and it is recommended that candles are not burned for longer than four hours at a time, allowing them to cool for at least two hours before relighting.
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Using a fire extinguisher
First, it is essential to ensure that you have the appropriate type of fire extinguisher available. Different types of fires require specific types of extinguishers, such as ABC or K extinguishers. Keep in mind that the travel distance to a fire extinguisher should not be more than 75 feet for ABC extinguishers and 30 feet for K extinguishers.
Now, let's follow the P.A.S.S. technique:
Pull: Start by pulling the pin. Every fire extinguisher has a safety pin inserted in the handle to prevent accidental discharge. Remove the pin by pulling the small ring attached to it. This step will break the plastic seal, allowing you to activate the extinguisher.
Aim: Point the nozzle or hose of the extinguisher at the base of the fire, not directly at the flames. This is crucial because you need to target the fuel source to effectively extinguish the fire. Ensure you are standing at a safe distance and that the extinguisher is aimed away from your body.
Squeeze: With one hand, hold the lower handle lever (the carrying handle). Then, squeeze the levers together with your other hand to release the extinguishing agent. Apply slow and even pressure for maximum effectiveness.
Sweep: Slowly move the hose or nozzle from side to side while continuing to aim at the base of the fire. This ensures that you cover all areas the fire may have spread to and extinguish all remaining fuel.
Remember, your safety comes first. If the fire is too large or uncontrollable, do not risk trying to put it out. Evacuate the area immediately, ensuring that your escape route is clear and free from fire, heat, or smoke. Leave the premises and call the fire department if necessary.
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Frequently asked questions
Using a candle snuffer is the best way to flame out a candle. Place the bell of the snuffer over the wick and hold it there until the flame goes out.
A candle snuffer is a tool used to extinguish candles. It has a long handle with a bell-shaped cup at the end.
Yes, there are a few other ways to flame out a candle. You can use a wick dipper, blow it out, or put a lid on it.
To blow out a candle, create a thin stream of air to put it out in one quick gust. Be careful not to blow too forcefully, as this can cause hot wax to splash.
Only use a non-flammable lid to cover the candle and suffocate the flame. Do not use a glass or ceramic lid, as these materials can shatter when exposed to extreme temperatures.
