Chloe Adams
Candles are a great way to set a mood or fill your space with a pleasant fragrance. However, the process of blowing them out can sometimes result in an unpleasant smoke smell. This occurs because, even after the flame is extinguished, the wick and wax remain hot, allowing pyrolysis to continue for a few seconds and produce solid particles and smelly gases. Fortunately, there are several methods to prevent this issue, such as using a candle snuffer or a candle with a lid. Additionally, smoker's candles are designed to remove tobacco smells from various spaces and can be used to address candle smoke as well.
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What You'll Learn
Use a wick dipper to extinguish the candle
Blowing out a candle is known to cause a cloud of smoke and an unpleasant smell. This is due to the pyrolysis process, which continues for a few seconds after the flame has been blown out, as the wick and wax remain hot.
A wick dipper is a slender instrument designed to submerge a burning candle's wick into a pool of molten wax. This method of extinguishing a candle is highly recommended, as it does not produce smoke or soot and maintains the purity of the air in your space.
To use a wick dipper, start by positioning your candle on a flat, stable surface away from drafts. Allow the candle to burn until the wax melts and forms a pool. Hold the wick dipper by its handle and position the curved end above the flame, without touching it. Gently push the wick into the melted wax, submerging it completely. Keep the wick submerged for a few seconds, allowing the flame to extinguish naturally as the wick's access to oxygen is cut off.
After extinguishing the candle, wait for the wick dipper to cool down before handling it. Use a soft cloth or paper towel to wipe away any wax residue. For stubborn wax buildup, soak the wick dipper in warm, soapy water for about 10 minutes, being careful not to submerge any wooden parts that could warp or stain.
Using a wick dipper is a simple and effective way to extinguish candles without producing smoke or soot, making it a preferred method over blowing out candles or using a lid or candle snuffer.
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Melt wax over the wick with a spoon
To prevent smoke and the smell that follows when blowing out a candle, you can use a candle snuffer or a wick dipper. However, if you would like to melt wax over the wick with a spoon, here is a detailed guide:
Firstly, it is important to use a professional wax melting spoon instead of a regular spoon. Wax melting spoons are made of stainless steel with a wooden or other non-thermal conductive material handle. They are easier to use and clean than regular spoons. When melting wax, ensure that the bottom of the spoon does not touch the fire. Instead, hold the spoon in the outer flame, which is the hottest part and the zone of complete combustion. This will help to minimize the black residue that is produced by incomplete combustion.
If you want to avoid the black residue altogether, you can use an electric melting pot instead of an open flame. This way, you can use the spoon to simply scoop the melted wax from the pot without having to hold it over a flame. Alternatively, you can use a wax warmer to melt the wax and release its fragrance without having to worry about any smoke or residue.
By following these steps, you can effectively melt wax over the wick with a spoon to reduce the smoke smell after blowing out candles. Remember to always exercise caution when working with open flames and hot wax.
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Put a lid on the candle
Put a lid on it
While it may be tempting to simply put a lid on your candle to extinguish it, this method is not recommended. Although it is true that putting a lid on a candle will eventually starve the flame of oxygen, there are several reasons why you should avoid doing this.
Firstly, not all candle lids are meant to be used for extinguishing. Some lids are purely decorative and may be made from flammable or heat-sensitive materials such as wood, plastic, or rubber, which can melt or deform when exposed to heat. Secondly, using a lid can trap smoke and soot inside the jar, leaving a black residue on the lid and inside the container. This soot can also contaminate the wax, affecting the appearance of the candle, particularly if it is white-colored soy wax.
Another issue with using a lid to extinguish a candle is that it can alter the fragrance. Trapping smoke under the lid can gradually change the scent of your candle, making it smell smoky. Furthermore, if there is a lot of empty space in the container, the flame may continue to burn for a short time, using up all the oxygen inside. This can create a vacuum seal that suctions the lid tightly to the jar, making it difficult to open again.
So, while putting a lid on a candle may produce less smoke than blowing it out, there are better methods for extinguishing your candle that will maintain its appearance and fragrance. These include using a wick dipper or a candle snuffer, both of which minimize smoke and soot while keeping your candle looking and smelling its best.
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Blow out the candle outdoors
Blowing out a candle outdoors is a great way to avoid the lingering smell of smoke and soot inside your home. However, if you are looking to preserve the original fragrance of your candle, you may want to consider other methods of extinguishing the flame.
When a candle is blown out, the flame stops immediately, but the wick and wax are still hot. Pyrolysis continues for a few seconds, producing solid particles and smelly gases that rise like smoke. This is why blowing out a candle can leave an unpleasant after-scent and soot on your wick and candle vessel.
To avoid this, you can use a candle snuffer, also known as a douter, to quickly extinguish the flame with minimal to no smoke. Antique candle snuffers are beautifully designed and highly collectible, while modern candle snuffers are inexpensive and come in fashionable designs. Alternatively, you can use a wick dipper to extinguish the flame. Wick dippers have long handles, and you use the tip to quickly press the wick down into the wax. This method also helps improve the condition of the wicks for future burns, as the wicks are lightly coated in wax each time.
If you are looking to blow out your candle outdoors, simply carry the lit candle outside and blow it out as you normally would. Be mindful of any potential fire hazards in the area, and ensure that you are in a safe, open space away from any flammable materials or surfaces.
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Bend the wick into the wax
Blowing out a candle can result in a cloud of smoke and an irritating smell. This is because, even though the flame has been extinguished, the wick and wax are still hot. The wick continues to pull up hot wax, which becomes superheated and turns into a flammable vapour. This vapour appears as smoke.
To prevent smoke and maintain the integrity of the wick, you can use a wick dipper to bend the wick into the wax. A wick dipper is a slender instrument designed to submerge a burning candle's wick into the pool of molten wax. This method of extinguishing a candle flame has been used since ancient times and is known for its effectiveness and safety.
When using a wick dipper, gently push the wick into the small pool of wax that forms beneath the flame. The hot wax will immediately extinguish the flame without emitting any smoke. Then, use the dipper to pull the wick back out of the wax. This technique will also help prepare the wick for future use.
You can purchase a wick dipper online or at specialty candle stores. Alternatively, you can use household items such as a pencil or a pair of scissors to bend the wick into the wax.
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Frequently asked questions
Fire professionals advise against blowing out candles, as the sparks from the hot wick can spread in the air. Instead, use a candle snuffer, which keeps air away from the flame, causing it to gently extinguish. Alternatively, candles with lids can be blown out and then immediately covered, reducing the amount of smoke smell.
Smoker's candles are designed to remove tobacco smells from homes. They contain activated carbon, which adsorbs smoke particles and traps them in its pores, reducing odours. They also contain chemicals that neutralise harmful elements in cigarette smoke odours while providing a pleasant scent.
The high temperature of a candle flame promotes the oxidation of odour-causing compounds, such as cigarette tar, to odourless carbon dioxide and water. The fragrance from candles also counterbalances the negative smell of cigarette smoke, neutralising it and adding pleasant aromas.
