Jessie Taylor
Burning a candle may seem straightforward, but there are several steps you should follow to ensure you're doing it correctly and safely. From extending the life of your candle to preventing accidents, this guide will teach you how to light a candle the right way.
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What You'll Learn
How to trim the wick
Trimming the wick of a candle is an important step in candle care and can help extend the life of your candle. Before lighting a candle, always trim the wick to between 1/8 and 1/4 of an inch long. You can use scissors, nail clippers, or a specialised wick trimmer. Trimming the wick will help to control the flame and prevent it from becoming too large or unstable, which could lead to dangerous flaring or even a small fire.
Long or crooked wicks can cause uneven burning, dripping, flaring, and sooting. Trimming the wick helps to prevent this and will give you a cleaner, brighter burn. Untrimmed wicks can take on strange shapes that dull and obscure the flame. They can also cause nasty, smoky stains on glass candle containers. By trimming the wick, you can also help to prolong the life of your candle by up to 25%.
It is recommended that you trim the wick every couple of hours and before each time you burn your candle. This will help to ensure a consistent and controlled flame. In addition to trimming the wick, always check for and remove any debris in the wax pool, such as wick trimmings or matches, as these can add more fuel to the candle than it is designed to handle.
By following these simple steps and always trimming the wick, you can improve the burning experience of your candles and ensure a cleaner, brighter, and safer flame.
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How to light hard-to-reach candles
Lighting a candle is easy, but sometimes you might find it challenging to reach the wick. This can be frustrating, especially when you want to fill your space with the lovely aroma of your favourite candle. Here are some tips to help you light those hard-to-reach candle wicks:
Flip the Candle Upside Down:
This method is simple yet effective. By flipping the candle upside down, the flame and heat from your lighter or match naturally travel upwards towards the wick, making it easier to ignite. Just remember to turn the candle right-side-up as soon as the wick catches to avoid any dripping wax on your hands or clothes.
Use Long Matches or Lighters:
Extra-long matches, such as fireplace matches, or special long-neck grill lighters can help you reach those deep candle wicks. These options provide the necessary distance to safely light the candle without burning your fingers.
Improvise with Household Items:
Get creative and look in your kitchen pantry or drawers for items that can help. A single strand of uncooked spaghetti, for instance, can be used as a makeshift match. Light one end and use it to reach the wick. Wooden chopsticks can also be used, but be cautious as they can burn quickly and produce a high flame.
Try a Q-Tip:
A Q-tip can be used to light the wick, but exercise caution as this method may not be the safest option.
Roll up a Piece of Paper:
Take a piece of paper, twist it tightly, and roll it up. This method works similarly to a match, slowly burning and giving you more time and precision to light the wick. Remember to have water nearby to extinguish any flames promptly.
With these tips, you'll be able to confidently light those hard-to-reach candles and enjoy their warm glow and delightful fragrances.
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How to prevent tunnelling
To prevent tunnelling, it is important to ensure that the entire surface of the candle melts before blowing or snuffing out the candle for the first time. This usually takes around one to two hours, depending on the size of the candle. For example, a candle that is 2 inches across should burn for 2 hours.
Tunnelling occurs when only a small portion of the wax surrounding the wick melts while the candle is lit, instead of the wax melting across the entire surface of the candle. This creates a "memory ring", causing the candle to continue tunnelling. The wax directly underneath the flame quickly melts into a liquid while the surrounding wax remains hard, causing the tunnelling to worsen over time.
To prevent tunnelling, you can try the following methods:
- Trim the wick to 1/4 inch before lighting the candle.
- Use aluminium foil to reflect heat back down to the candle's edge to melt the wax.
- Use a hairdryer to melt the wax to the edge of the container.
- Scoop out the unmelted wax with a spoon to remove the "memory".
- Burn the candle for at least one hour per inch in diameter during the first burn session.
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How to prevent a candle from smoking
A properly burning and well-made candle may produce a little smoke now and then, but it shouldn't continuously smoke. Here are some tips to prevent your candle from smoking:
Keep the candle in a well-ventilated room
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 from the draft by placing it in a candle holder. Turn the candle periodically to avoid uneven burning and possible candle collapse.
Trim the wick
A wick that is too long 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. Trim the wick to around 1/4 inch (6mm) and keep it out of any areas with a breeze, as this will cause the flame to burn down the wick too fast.
Use a candle wick dipper
The ultimate trick for putting out a candle without smoke is to use a candle wick dipper. Push the wick into the pool of hot wax and pull it back out. This will extinguish the flame without causing any smoke.
Extinguish with a lid or a plate
If you don't have a wick dipper, you can extinguish the candle with a lid or a plate. Place it on top of the candle to suffocate the flame, but don't push it all the way down as you might never get it back off. Alternatively, use a candle snuffer.
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How to extinguish a candle
There are several ways to extinguish a candle flame, but some are better than others. Here is a step-by-step guide to four of the most common methods.
Using a candle snuffer
Candle snuffers are one of the two recommended ways to extinguish a candle. They are an efficient way to put out a candle, with the added benefit of minimal smoke. Candle snuffers usually have a long handle with a bell-shaped metal cup at one end. To extinguish the candle, hold the snuffer over the candle and lower the bell end onto the flame. Keep the snuffer there until the flame is fully extinguished, then remove it.
Using a wick dipper
A wick dipper is the other recommended way to extinguish a candle. Wick dippers usually have a long handle with a hook at one end. To extinguish the flame, use the wick dipper to quickly dip the wick into the melted wax and then lift it back out. This method instantly puts out the candle with very little smoke and has the added benefit of conditioning the wick for future use.
Blowing it out
Blowing out a candle is a popular method, but it is not recommended. Blowing out a candle can cause wax to splatter and can lead to issues with the wax, such as tunneling and unevenness. It also produces a lot of smoke, which can reduce the scent of the candle and linger in the room. If you do choose to blow out a candle, purse your lips and exhale a thin stream of air to put out the flame in one quick gust. Be careful not to blow too forcefully, and stand clear of the smoke to avoid getting soot on your skin or clothes.
Using a lid
Putting a lid on a candle will eventually extinguish the flame, but this method is not recommended due to the potential issues it can cause. Trapping the smoke in the candle can infuse it back into the melted wax, possibly altering its scent. It can also cause issues with the wax, such as tunneling and unevenness.
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Frequently asked questions
Before lighting a candle, trim the wick to between 1/8 and 1/4 inches long and remove any debris from the wax pool. This will prevent the flame from unexpectedly flaring up or starting a small fire.
It is recommended that candles do not burn for longer than four hours and should cool for at least two hours before relighting. Burning a candle for too long can cause carbon to collect on the wick, leading to an unstable flame.
If you can't reach the wick, you can use a Q-tip or a piece of uncooked spaghetti to light it.
