Ben Carter
Relighting a candle with its smoke trail is an impressive fire trick that can be performed with a candle made of wax. When a candle is lit, the flame vaporizes the wax, turning it from a liquid into a gas that can be used as fuel for the candle flame. When the candle is blown out, the flame on the wick is extinguished, but the hot wax vapour remains in the air and travels in the same direction as the smoke. By holding a flame close to the smoke, the unused wax vapour is ignited, and the candle is relit without touching the wick.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of candles | Beeswax, paraffin, gelatin, bayberry wax, soy wax, tallow |
| Smoke | Contains vaporized wax |
| Process | Light the candle, blow it out, and relight the smoke with a flame |
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What You'll Learn
The smoke contains wax vapour
When a candle burns, the flame causes the wax to melt and flow up the wick, where it then evaporates and the wax vapour burns. The smoke from a candle contains particles of wax vapour. When a candle is lit, the flame makes the wax melt, and some of the hot wax vapourises (changing from a liquid to a gas) and is carried up into the smoke.
The smoke from a flaming candle and a blown-out candle differ in particle size. The particles produced during flaming are minuscule, while those produced when a candle is blown out are larger, making them visible. The particles produced by a burning candle are so small that they are difficult to detect. However, when a candle is extinguished, the temperature drops, and the wax can no longer combust, resulting in larger particles of wax vapour in the smoke.
Some types of wax vapourise less than others, making it more challenging to light the smoke. For example, candles made from bayberry wax, soy wax, or tallow may be more difficult to relight using their smoke. The brand of the candle and the distance from the wick can also impact the ease of relighting the candle through its smoke.
When wax vapourises and burns, the hydrogen and carbon in the wax combine with the oxygen in the air to form carbon dioxide and water vapour. While these gases are typically present in the air at low levels, they can be harmful in high concentrations. Therefore, it is important to ensure proper ventilation when burning candles to prevent the buildup of harmful gases.
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Vapour fuels the flame
When a candle burns, the heat vaporises the wax, turning it from a solid into a liquid and then into a gas. This vapour is highly flammable, and it is what fuels the candle flame. When you blow out a candle, the flame on the wick goes out, but the hot wax vapour lingers in the air. This vapour is invisible, but it travels in the same direction as the smoke.
The trick to relighting a candle using only its smoke is to ignite the vapourised wax particles in the smoke. Hold a flame near the smoke, and it will catch onto the wax vapour. The flame will then travel down to the wick, relighting the candle.
Some kinds of wax vaporise less readily than others, making it more difficult to light the smoke. For example, candles made from bayberry wax, soy wax, or tallow may be more challenging to relight using this method. The brand of candle and the distance from the wick can also impact the ease of relighting.
This trick provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the science behind candle burning. It can be a fun experiment to try with different types of candles and wicks, observing any variations in the ease of relighting. Always exercise caution when handling flames, and ensure you have the necessary safety precautions in place.
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Different waxes, different vapours
When you light a candle, the flame melts the wax. Some of the hot wax then vaporises and is carried up into the smoke. This is why you can see a ""smoke trail" after blowing out a candle. This trail is not smoke, but vapourised wax.
When you bring a flame close to the fuel trail, you can reignite the candle. The bits of wax in the smoke are caught by the second flame, and the flame travels down to the wick.
However, some kinds of wax vapourise less than others, making it more difficult to light the smoke. For example, beeswax, paraffin, and gelatin candles can be relit using the smoke, but they differ in the amount of smoke produced and the ease of relighting. Beeswax candles, for instance, produce less smoke and are more challenging to relight.
The type of wax used in a candle can also affect the strength of its scent. Scented candles often give off the strongest smell immediately after being blown out, as the vapourised but unlit wax has a more concentrated odour than when it is fully burned.
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How to create the right amount of smoke
To create the right amount of smoke to relight a candle, you must first light the candle and then blow it out. The flame makes the wax melt, and some of the hot wax vaporizes and is carried up into the smoke. This vaporized wax is what will ignite when you attempt to relight the candle.
Different kinds of wax vaporize differently, so the type of candle you use will impact how much smoke is produced and how easy it is to relight. For example, bayberry wax, soy wax, and tallow vaporize less than other types of wax, making it more difficult to light the smoke. Beeswax, paraffin, and gelatin candles are also said to produce a moderate amount of smoke, making them suitable for this trick.
Additionally, the distance from the wick may also impact the amount of smoke produced and the ease of relighting. To maximize the amount of wax vapor, ensure that the air is still around the candle, and bring the second flame closer to the wick, as this is where the concentration of vaporized wax is highest.
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Lighting the smoke, not the wick
To relight a candle with its smoke, you must first light and then blow out the candle. This will produce smoke that contains vaporized wax particles that haven't fully burned. When you hold a flame to the smoke, it will ignite the unused wax vapour, and the flame will travel down to the wick.
This trick works because when a candle is lit, the flame makes the wax melt, and some of the hot wax vaporizes (turns from a liquid into a gas) and is carried up into the smoke. Different types of wax vaporize at different rates, so some candles may be more difficult to relight with their smoke. For example, bayberry wax, soy wax, and tallow candles may be more challenging to relight using this method.
To relight the candle using its smoke, ensure that the candle has generated a moderate amount of smoke. Hold a flame to the smoke, and it will ignite the wax particles, causing the flame to travel down to the wick and relight the candle.
This impressive trick can be used to wow your friends and family, but always exercise caution when handling flames and hot wax. Be sure to perform this trick in a well-ventilated area and have a fire extinguisher or other fire safety tools nearby.
With practice, you'll be able to master the art of lighting the smoke and not the wick, adding a touch of magic to your candle-lighting routine!
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Frequently asked questions
Simply hold a flame to the smoke trail and the fire will burn its way down to the wick, igniting particles of wax as it goes.
When a candle burns, liquid wax is vaporized into a gas that is flammable. If you blow out the candle, the flame on the wick is extinguished, but there is still vaporized wax in the air that can be used as fuel. This vapor will travel in the same direction as the smoke.
Some kinds of wax vaporize less than others, making it more difficult to light the smoke. Beeswax, paraffin, gelatin, bayberry wax, soy wax, and tallow candles can all be used to attempt this trick.
The smoke contains vaporized bits of wax that haven't fully burned yet. These particles of wax are ignited when you hold a flame to the smoke trail, causing the candle to relight.
This trick should only be performed under adult supervision and with proper safety measures in place. Keep flammable objects away from the candle and ensure the area is well-ventilated. Do not leave the candle unattended and always have a fire extinguisher or water source nearby in case of emergencies.
