Jessie Taylor
Woodwick candles are known for their aesthetically pleasing, flickering flames and the soothing crackling sound they produce. However, they can be a bit tricky to burn if you're not used to them. One of the most common issues with Woodwick candles is that they sometimes struggle to stay lit. This can be caused by a number of factors, including excessive wax, an overly long wick, or the presence of charred material on the wick. There are several methods you can use to relight your Woodwick candle, including using a paper towel to soak up excess wax, trimming the wick to an optimal length, and ensuring the candle has sufficient time to form a full melt pool during its first burn.
How to Relight a Woodwick Candle
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Initial burn time | 2-4 hours |
| Subsequent burn time | 3-4 hours |
| Wax pool formation | Melted wax reaches the edge of the container |
| Wick trimming | 1/8" to 1/4" |
| Relighting | Allow the candle to cool completely |
| Tunneling | Occurs when wax doesn't reach the edge, creating a tunnel around the wick |
| Drowning | Excess wax prevents the wick from "breathing" |
| Solutions | Use paper towels, trim the wick, scrape wax, create a foil dome |
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What You'll Learn
Prevent wax tunnelling by allowing the candle to burn for 2-4 hours initially
When lighting a wood wick candle for the first time, it is important to allow it to burn for 2-4 hours. This is because candles have a kind of "wax memory", meaning that once a burning pattern has been established, it can be difficult to change. If the candle does not burn long enough to form a full melt pool on the first burn, a depression or "tunnel" may start to form around the wick, causing the wax around the edges of the jar to remain unmelted. This will cause the tunnelling effect to continue with each burn, reducing the longevity of your candle.
To prevent this, ensure that the candle burns long enough to form a wax pool that reaches the edges of the container. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the size of the candle. If you notice that the flame is burning low, do not worry, as it will continue to burn.
After the initial burn, it is recommended to burn the candle for 1-2 hours for smaller candles and 2-3 hours for larger ones. This helps ensure an even burn and prevents tunnelling. However, be careful not to over-burn the candle, as this can cause the wick to form a 'mushroom' at the tip and lead to an overly deep melt pool.
If your candle has already started to tunnel, there are a few methods to fix it. One method is to use an external heat source, such as a hair dryer, to melt the hardened wax around the edges of the container. Another method is to use aluminium foil to trap and reflect the candle's heat, helping to melt the extra wax and smooth over the top layer.
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Trim the wick to 1/8 or 1/4 for optimal burning
Trimming the wick of your woodwick candle to 1/8 or 1/4 of an inch is crucial for optimal burning. This practice ensures a steady and consistent flame, maximising the burn time of your candle. If the wick is too long, the candle may struggle to stay lit or extinguish shortly after being lit. This is because an overly long wick hinders the wax's ability to fuel the flame. It's important to remember that it's the wax that fuels the flame, not the wood.
To achieve the ideal wick length, you can use a wick trimmer or simply use your fingers to gently tap and break off the excess wick when the candle is cold. You can also use scissors, nail clippers, or wire cutters to trim the wick. If you're using your fingers, ensure the candle has cooled completely before trimming to prevent any wax or wick debris from falling into the wax pool.
Trimming the wick also helps to remove any charred wood from previous burns. This step is essential to minimise soot, control fragrance release, and encourage an even melt pool. It's recommended to gently wipe down the wooden wick with a paper towel before trimming to ensure no debris falls into the wax.
By maintaining the ideal wick length of 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch, you can be sure your woodwick candle will burn steadily and efficiently, providing a pleasant and consistent flame. Remember to trim the wick before each lighting for the best results.
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Burn on a heat-resistant surface, away from drafts
WoodWick candles are known for their unique flame, visually captivating and creating a soothing atmosphere. To ensure the optimal burning experience, it is important to follow certain guidelines, including burning the candle on a heat-resistant surface, away from drafts.
Firstly, always place your WoodWick candle on a heat-resistant, dry, and flat surface. This is crucial to prevent any potential fire hazards and ensure the candle burns evenly. Avoid placing the candle on any surface or item that could catch fire or be damaged by heat. Keep it away from flammable materials and other heat sources.
Secondly, it is important to maintain a draft-free environment when burning your WoodWick candle. Keep the candle away from drafts, breezes, and ceiling fans. Protect it from any sources of wind or airflow that could disturb the flame or cause the candle to burn unevenly. Ensure the candle is in a stable, controlled environment to achieve an optimal burn.
By following these guidelines of burning on a heat-resistant surface and away from drafts, you can enhance the performance and longevity of your WoodWick candle, creating a safe and captivating atmosphere to enjoy. Remember to always follow candle safety guidelines and never leave a burning candle unattended.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the first burn of a WoodWick candle is crucial. Allowing enough time for the wax to melt to the edge of the container, typically 2-4 hours, establishes a "memory burn" that determines how the candle burns in the future. This prevents "tunneling," ensuring an even and efficient burn throughout the life of the candle.
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Avoid touching or moving the candle while burning or hot
The flame of a burning candle can reach temperatures of up to 1,400 ºF (760 ºC), while the molten candle wax can be anywhere from 120–400 ºF (49–204 ºC). The glass container of a candle is usually around 100–140 ºF (38–60 ºC) during normal use. Touching or moving a candle while it's burning or hot can result in burns.
The temperature of a candle flame can be estimated based on its colour. For example, a pale orange-yellow flame indicates a temperature of around 1,100 ºF (593 ºC), while a yellow flame with a slight blue tinge indicates a temperature of around 1,200 ºF (649 ºC).
The melting points of different waxes can give an indication of how hot the wax pool is. For example, the melting point of soy wax is between 130–150 ºF (54–66 ºC), while the melting point of paraffin wax is between 115–154 ºF (46–68 ºC).
It is always safer to extinguish a candle and let it cool before moving it. In general, glass containers tend to get hotter than metal or ceramic containers because glass conducts heat better. The hottest part of the container is the section surrounding the flame and the molten wax pool. The bottom of the candle, and any part with solid wax, is usually cool enough to touch.
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How to trim the wick—using a wick trimmer, nail clippers, or fingers
Trimming the wick of your candle is essential for extending its life, preventing smoke and soot, and ensuring an even burn without tunnelling. If you don't trim your candle wicks regularly, your candle is more likely to create larger flames that produce excess amounts of smoke and soot.
Wick trimmers are the go-to tool for wick maintenance as they are specifically designed to trim wicks to the ideal length, ensuring an even and clean cut. The angled design of wick trimmers allows for easy access to the wick, even in deep candle jars. They also have specially-designed blades shaped like little plates to catch the wick debris after you cut it. This makes the process elegant, effortless, clean, and precise.
Scissors are the next best option, but they can be challenging to use for deep containers and may not provide a clean cut. They can also be messy, as the burnt parts of the wick will fall into the wax.
Nail clippers are a nifty DIY option, especially when travelling. They work well for both cotton and wooden wicks. Toenail clippers are preferable to fingernail clippers because their wide, straight shape provides more control.
If you don't have any of these tools, you can always use your fingers to gently break off the burnt parts of the wick. Just make sure to let your candle cool before trimming, as you don't want any bits of ash or wick material left in the wax when you're done.
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Frequently asked questions
If your candle won't stay lit, it might be drowning in wax. Try using a paper towel to soak up some of the excess wax, then wait a minute or so before relighting. If this doesn't work, the wick might be too long or it might need to be trimmed of charred material. The optimal wick length is around ⅛" to ¼".
To prevent tunnelling, ensure that you burn your candle for long enough on its first use to create a wax pool that reaches the edge of the container. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the size of the candle.
Before lighting your Woodwick candle for the first time, ensure that the wick is trimmed to a length of around ⅛" to ¼". Then, tilt the candle at a 45-degree angle and hold the ignition source until the flame dances across the width of the wick.
