Tyler Brooks
Blowing out a candle may seem simple, but there are many different ways to do it, and the method you choose can affect the life of the candle and your safety. Blowing out a candle can create a lot of smoke, which can irritate the eyes and lungs and cause a mess. It can also blow hot wax and sparks around, potentially causing fires. This is why some people prefer to use a candle snuffer or a wick dipper to extinguish the flame. These tools can help to minimise smoke, preserve the scent of the candle, and reduce the risk of hot wax and sparks flying around.
How to Properly Blow Out a Candle
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Position | Face close to the flame, with the wick at mouth level. |
| Body Posture | Avoid hovering directly over the candle. |
| Lips | Purse lips together. |
| Action | Exhale suddenly through the opening in your lips. |
| Air Stream | Create a thin stream of air. |
| Blowing Duration | Keep blowing until the flame is completely extinguished. |
| Distance from Smoke | Stand clear of the smoke. |
| Ventilation | Extinguish the candle in a well-ventilated area. |
| Alternative Methods | Use a wick dipper, candle snuffer, fingers, tweezers, or lid. |
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What You'll Learn
Blowing out a candle can be hazardous
Blowing out a candle may be the most common method, but it can also be hazardous. Here are some reasons why:
Firstly, blowing out a candle can cause hot wax and sparks to fly, potentially leading to fires or burns. The force of the breath can propel droplets of wax, resulting in a mess or even minor burns. This can be especially hazardous if there are flammable objects nearby or if the hot wax comes into contact with the skin. It is important to be cautious and maintain a safe distance from the candle to avoid any accidents.
Secondly, blowing out a candle creates a significant amount of smoke, which can irritate the eyes and lungs. The smoke released contains harmful chemicals, such as formaldehyde, which is produced by burning the wick. This can be dangerous to inhale and can also leave an unpleasant smell in the room, lingering long after the candle is extinguished. The smoke can also cause a black sooty residue to form on the candle and surrounding surfaces, affecting the aesthetics and requiring additional cleaning.
Additionally, blowing out a candle can lead to issues with the wick. If the wick is not fully extinguished, it can continue to smoulder, creating more smoke and soot. A buried wick, coated in wax, can be challenging to relight and may require additional tools or techniques. This can be frustrating and time-consuming, especially if the wick is difficult to access.
Furthermore, blowing out a candle before the wax has fully melted can result in a phenomenon known as tunneling. This occurs when the candle remembers its previous melt point and fails to melt beyond that point in subsequent burns, leaving a coating of unusable wax along the vessel's interior. Tunneling results in wasted wax and an uneven burn, detracting from the candle's aesthetic and functional value.
To avoid these hazards, it is recommended to use alternative methods such as a candle snuffer, wick dipper, or lid. These methods help extinguish the flame safely and effectively, reducing the risk of hot wax, sparks, and excessive smoke. They also help maintain the candle's fragrance and appearance, ensuring a more pleasant and enjoyable experience.
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Use a wick dipper
Using a wick dipper is one of the best ways to put out a candle. It is a safe and efficient method that can enhance the ambiance and longevity of your candles. Wick dippers usually have a long handle with a hook or a curve at one end. To extinguish the candle, use the wick dipper to quickly submerge the wick into the pool of melted wax and then lift it back out. This will instantly put out your candle with very little to no smoke. Using a wick dipper prevents the wick from bending, breaking, or curling, and it also maintains the purity of the air in your space and the cleanliness of your candles.
Wick dippers have been around since ancient civilizations, where candles were a crucial source of light. Early candle enthusiasts used tools like candle snuffers and tongs to extinguish candle flames. These devices allowed people to pinch the wick and snuff out the flame without generating excessive smoke or splattering hot wax. The transition from wick snuffers to wick dippers gained popularity in the 17th and 18th centuries as dippers minimized mess and maintained the integrity of the wick for future use.
Today, wick dippers are still a popular choice for candle enthusiasts. They are known for their effectiveness in controlling smoke and preventing smoldering wicks. With proper use, a wick dipper can help eliminate issues such as tunneling, where a hole forms in the center of the candle, wasting wax and creating an unpleasant appearance. Additionally, the use of a wick dipper can make relighting the candle easier as the wick is coated with wax after dipping.
It is important to note that finding the right depth for submerging the wick can be tricky. If the wick is submerged too deeply, the flame may struggle to ignite during the next lighting. On the other hand, if the wick is not submerged deeply enough, it may remain ignited after using the dipper. Always check the height of the wick after using the wick dipper and adjust it to around 1/4 inch if necessary to prevent excessive smoking.
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Use a candle snuffer
Using a candle snuffer is a great way to blow out a candle without causing a mess or damaging the wick. Candle snuffers have been used since the mid-17th century and are still popular today due to their effectiveness and aesthetic appeal. They are also inexpensive and easily accessible, with antique and modern designs available.
Candle snuffers are bell, cylinder, or cone-shaped with a handle on one end. To use a candle snuffer, hold it over the lit candle, ensuring that the bell end is lowered onto the flame. It is important to avoid dipping the snuffer into the wax, as this can create a mess. Instead, gently hover the snuffer over the wick for around 10 seconds, depriving the flame of oxygen and causing it to extinguish. Once the flame is fully out, remove the snuffer from the candle.
Using a candle snuffer is a superior alternative to blowing out a candle, as it prevents wax and soot from being blown around and potentially sticking to the inside of the candle vessel. It also protects the wick and wax, ensuring that the candle continues to burn properly and preserving the quality of the candle. Additionally, candle snuffers minimise smoke, maintaining the original fragrance of the candle.
To clean a candle snuffer, simply soak the bell-shaped portion in boiling water to remove any wax buildup. Gently chip away at any leftover wax and wipe it dry with a clean towel. By using a candle snuffer and regularly cleaning it, you can ensure the longevity and aesthetic appeal of your candles.
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Don't blow out a candle before the entire surface has melted
Blowing out a candle may seem like the most obvious and convenient way to extinguish it, but it is not always the best method. If you are burning a candle, it is important that you do not blow it out before the entire surface has melted. This is because, if you do, the candle will only melt to the point where you blew it out, leaving a coating of unusable wax along the inside of the vessel. This is known as '
Tunneling can be avoided by letting the candle burn until the top layer of wax has melted all the way across. This may take several hours, so it is important to ensure you have enough time for this to happen before lighting the candle.
If you are unable to wait until the entire surface has melted, there are alternative methods to blowing the candle out. One option is to use a wick dipper to bend the wick into the wax, extinguishing the flame without creating smoke. Another option is to use a candle snuffer, which can extinguish the flame with minimal smoke. These methods will help to preserve the life of your candle and maintain its fragrance.
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Keep your distance from the extinguished candle
Blowing out a candle releases a plume of thick, dark smoke. Keeping your distance from the extinguished candle will prevent the smoke from depositing soot on your skin or clothes or causing them to smell. Stand clear of the smoke and make sure to extinguish your candles in a well-ventilated area where smoke won't collect. Blowing out candles can lead to an unsightly black buildup on the wax or around the inside of the container.
The smoke released when a candle is blown out can also leave an unpleasant scent. This smoke can also contain harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, which is released when the wick is burned. The wick of a candle can also continue to smoulder, creating a black sooty residue on the candle and surrounding surfaces. This can be avoided by keeping your distance from the extinguished candle.
If you are lighting a scented candle, it is best to avoid blowing it out. Blowing out a scented candle can ruin the fragrance and leave an unpleasant smell. By putting out your candle carefully, you’ll avoid a burnt, smoke-scented room that takes away from the mood you so carefully created by lighting your candle.
There are several alternative methods to blowing out a candle that can be employed to avoid coming into contact with the smoke. One method is to use a wick dipper to bend the wick into the wax, extinguishing the flame without any smoke. Another method is to use a candle snuffer, which extinguishes the flame by depriving it of oxygen.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to use a wick dipper, candle snuffer, or lid to extinguish a candle, as blowing on it can cause smoke, which can be irritating to the eyes and lungs and may contain harmful chemicals.
Use the tip of the wick dipper to quickly press the wick down into the oil, eliminating oxygen and putting the flame out with little to no smoke.
Place the bell of the snuffer over the wick, which will deprive the flame of oxygen and stifle it gradually.
Place the lid on the jar without pushing down on it until the candle goes out, then blow the smoke away.
Blowing out a candle can cause hot wax and sparks to fly, potentially causing a fire. It can also create a lot of smoke, which can irritate the eyes and lungs and leave a sooty residue on the candle and surrounding surfaces.
