Tyler Brooks
Candles are a great way to bring warmth and ambiance to a room, but extinguishing them improperly can lead to smoke, wax splatters, and even fire hazards. One way to avoid these issues is by using a wick dipper or a candle snuffer. While blowing out a candle or using the lid to put it out are popular methods, they can cause issues like tunneling, unevenness, and a buildup of black soot. Using a wick dipper or candle snuffer, on the other hand, minimizes smoke and preserves the quality of the candle wax and fragrance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recommended methods | Using a wick dipper, using a candle snuffer |
| Methods to avoid | Blowing it out, putting a lid on it |
| Reasons to avoid blowing out candles | Risk of blowing wax everywhere, tunneling and unevenness, large plume of smoke, potential fire hazard, unpleasant smell, sets off smoke alarms |
| Reasons to avoid putting a lid on candles | May harm candle's appearance and scent, can get stuck, traps smoke and soot within the jar, can cause the lid to break |
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Using a wick dipper
To use a wick dipper, gently press the lit candle wick into the wax pool using the thin tip of the dipper. This will instantly snuff out the flame. Then, pull the wick back up into a straight position, ready for the next lighting. It is important to find the right depth for submerging the wick. If it is too deep, the wick may struggle to ignite again, while a shallow dip may fail to extinguish the flame.
Wick dippers offer several benefits over other methods of extinguishing candles, such as blowing or using a lid. Blowing out a candle can cause hot wax and sparks to scatter, creating a fire hazard. It can also lead to issues like tunneling and unevenness in the wax, affecting the appearance and fragrance of the candle. Using the lid to extinguish a flame can trap smoke and soot within the jar, leaving black residue on the underside of the lid and the insides of the container. It can also create a vacuum seal, making it difficult to open the lid again.
Wick dippers are available in various attractive designs and materials, such as metal, copper, silver, and brass. They are not only functional but can also serve as decorative pieces, adding elegance to your candlelit spaces. Additionally, you can polish metal wick dippers with metal cleaner or olive oil to restore their shine and maintain their newness.
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Using a candle snuffer
A candle snuffer is a small, usually metal, handheld tool with a long, narrow handle that helps to keep your hand away from the hot wax. The handle is attached to a concave, cone, or bell-shaped cup at the end. When you are ready to extinguish the candle, hover the cup of the snuffer over the wick, ensuring that it does not dip into the wax. Hold it there for around 10 seconds until the flame is extinguished. The snuffer cuts off the oxygen supply to the flame, which kills it.
If you are using a candle in a deep jar, you may find it easier to blow out the candle or use a wick dipper. However, these methods can cause issues with your wax, such as tunneling and unevenness, and can reduce the fragrance of the candle.
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Blowing it out
Blowing out a candle is a widely used method of extinguishing it. However, it is not the most recommended way to do so. Blowing out a candle can cause hot wax to splatter, potentially burning your skin or damaging nearby objects. It can also cause a large plume of smoke, which can leave an unpleasant smell and even set off smoke alarms. The smoke can also leave an unpleasant after-scent and soot on the wick, and the wax may become uneven or pushed to the side of the glass container, creating tunneling.
If you do choose to blow out a candle, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, position your face a safe distance from the candle to avoid hot wax splatters. Move in until you're only a few inches away, with the wick at around mouth level. This way, the air won't have to travel as far to reach the flame, making it easier to blow out. Don't hover directly over the candle, as the heat rising from the flame may burn you. Purse your lips together and blow gently to put out the flame without disturbing the wax pool too much.
While blowing out a candle is a quick and easy method, there are alternative ways to extinguish a candle that may be more effective and preserve the quality of the candle. These include using a wick dipper, a candle snuffer, or a lid.
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Using the lid
First, ensure that the lid is made from non-flammable materials such as concrete, stone, metal, glass, or ceramic. Do not use decorative lids made from wood or plastic, as these can melt or deform when exposed to heat.
When you are ready to extinguish the candle, slowly place the lid over the candle jar, leaving a small gap for the heat to escape. This step is crucial to prevent the lid from getting stuck due to the vacuum seal that can form when the oxygen inside is depleted. Once the flame has died down, you can then close the lid completely.
Alternatively, you can gently rest the lid on top of the candle without pushing down, allowing the flame to go out while still providing some ventilation. This method can reduce the amount of soot and smoke that accumulates inside the jar.
Therefore, while using the lid to extinguish a candle is possible, it is recommended to use alternative methods such as a wick dipper or a candle snuffer to maintain the quality and appearance of your candle.
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Using water
First, fill a pot or pan with enough water to cover the candle's surface. Place the pot on the stove and heat the water until it reaches a gentle boil. You don't want a vigorous rolling boil, as this may cause the wax to splatter. Once the water is boiling, carefully remove the pot from the heat and place it on a heat-resistant surface.
Now, gently lower the candle container into the hot water, taking care not to get any water inside the container. The hot water will melt the wax around the edges and bottom of the candle, loosening its grip on the container. Allow the container to sit in the hot water for a few minutes. The exact time will depend on the size of your candle and the amount of wax adhered to the sides. Check on it periodically to see if the wax is softening and pulling away from the container.
Using oven mitts or heat-resistant gloves, carefully remove the container from the hot water. Place it on a protected surface, as it will be hot. Take a butter knife or a thin metal spatula and gently insert it between the wax and the container's sides. You can also try gently twisting and turning the candle to help break the seal. The wax should start to come away from the sides, and you can use the knife to carefully pry it out.
If the candle still seems stuck, you can repeat the process of boiling water and letting the container sit in it for a few more minutes. Sometimes, it may take a few attempts, especially if the candle has been in the container for a long time. Once you have successfully removed the candle, use a paper towel or cloth to wipe away any remaining wax from the inside of the container. Wash the container with warm, soapy water to remove any residue and ensure it is thoroughly dried before reusing it.
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Frequently asked questions
Using a wick dipper is the best way to extinguish a candle in a container. A wick dipper is a long piece of metal with a flat handle on one end and a thin tip with a bent hook on the other. Use the wick dipper to quickly press the wick down into the oil or wax, eliminating oxygen and immediately putting the flame out with little or no smoke.
Other ways to extinguish a candle in a container include using a candle snuffer, blowing it out, or putting a lid on it.
Blowing out a candle can cause hot wax to splatter, potentially burning your skin or damaging nearby objects. It can also cause issues with your wax like tunneling and unevenness, and it releases a lot of smoke.
Putting a lid on a candle can cause the lid to get stuck due to the vacuum seal that forms when the flame uses up all the oxygen inside. It can also fill your vessel with soot, making it dirty and black.
