Jessie Taylor
Candles have been used for light and decoration for centuries, and even though modern electricity has reduced their necessity for illumination, they remain popular for their cosy ambience and decorative allure. The proper care and maintenance of candles are key to maximising their burn time and appearance. Trimming the wick and wax before lighting is one of the best ways to make your candles last longer and burn more efficiently. This process involves using a knife or manicure scissors to trim away any excess hardened wax so that the full edge of the candle is exposed. A centred wick is also important, as it encourages even wax pooling and reduces issues like tunnelling, which is when a well-formed cavity appears in the centre of the melted wax as the wick burns down.
Characteristics and Values of Shaving a Candle
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tools | Taper Tipper, knife, wick scissors, trimmer, ruler or wick guide tool, paper towel, wick stickers or putty |
| Techniques | Trimming the wick and wax to 1/4 inch, cutting away hardened wax, centering the wick, smoothing the wick, straightening bent taper candles with warm water |
| Benefits | Maximizing burn time and appearance, preventing tunneling, improving performance, longevity and safety, maintaining a uniform look |
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What You'll Learn
Using a knife to shave a candle
Firstly, inspect the edges of the candle and use a knife to trim away any hardened wax, ensuring the full edge of the candle is exposed. This will help the candle burn evenly and prevent "tunneling", where a well-formed cavity appears in the centre of the wax as the wick burns down. It is important to only trim candles when they are unlit and the wax is completely hardened and cooled.
When shaving the candle, always place it on a flat, stable surface. Use a sharp knife to carefully cut off the desired amount of wax from the top of the candle. If the candle has a wick, trim it to about 1/4 inch above the wax surface to prevent it from burning too quickly or going out. If the candle is too wide for the knife to reach across, cut the wax in sections, working from one side to the other.
For a smooth finish, use a lighter or matches to gently heat the cut edge of the wax, which will prevent it from cracking or breaking. Alternatively, you can use a specialised candle wand, which heats up to a constant temperature to smoothly slice off excess wax without the risk of cutting yourself.
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How to straighten a bent candle
If your taper candle is too small for the holder, you can use a product like Stick-um or Museum Wax to hold it in place. Simply smear some of the product onto the sides of the candle and stick it into the holder. Alternatively, you can soften the wax by soaking the base of the candle in warm water for a minute, or by burning the bottom of the candle slightly, and then push the candle into the holder.
If the candle is too big for the holder, you can use a sharp knife or razor blade to carefully shave some of the wax off the base of the candle until it fits. You can also use a product like Museum Wax to anchor the candle in place. Scrape a small amount of wax and knead it into a pliable ball the size of a large pea. Mould the wax to the bottom of the candle or drop it into the holder, and then insert the candle as usual.
If the candle is too loose in the holder, you can use tin foil or masking tape to tighten the fit. Simply wrap the foil or tape around the base of the candle and insert it into the holder. Another option is to use a Candle Snugger, which is a piece of foam that is cut into a circular shape. Place the foam across the top of the holder and press the candle down into the hole.
These methods should help you straighten a bent candle and improve its fit in the holder.
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Trimming the wick and wax before lighting
To begin, examine the candle and wick, checking for any hardened or adhered wax on the wick and ensuring the wick is centred. If there is hardened wax, roll the wick gently between your thumb and forefinger to loosen it. Next, use a wick trimmer or small scissors to trim the wick to a length of 1/4 inch. Be careful not to cut the wick too short.
After trimming the wick, inspect the edges of the candle. Use a knife or manicure scissors to carefully trim away any hardened wax so that the full edge is exposed. Use a ruler or wick guide tool to gently press and centre the wick if needed. Move slowly to avoid accidentally pulling out or cutting the wick.
Finally, inspect the candle again to ensure there are no remaining wax fragments and that the wick is centred. Give a final centering and edge wax trim if required. Clean any wax debris and your candle is ready for lighting! Remember to only trim candles when they are unlit and the wax is completely hardened and cooled.
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Centering the wick
Tools for Centering:
- Metal wick tabs: These are placed at the bottom of the jar and add weight to the wick, making it easier to centre. You can use double-sided tape, glue, or wax to secure the tab in the centre.
- Glue dots: These are useful for keeping the wick centred at the bottom of the container.
- Wick pin: This tool allows you to use different types of wicks, such as cotton, flat braided, and round wicks.
- EZ Wick Setter: This tool comes in 1 and 3 wick varieties and can be modified. It is a good option for centering multiple wicks.
- Wick centering devices: These devices curve inward, making it easier to pour the wax while keeping the wick centred.
- Masking tape: Fold the tape in half with the sticky side out, cut a small hole in the middle, and place the wick through the hole before sticking it to the container.
- Skewers, pencils, chopsticks, or other long objects: You can wrap the wick around these objects to keep it centred.
Techniques for Centering:
- Use an object to span the top of the jar: If your wick is pre-waxed, you can wrap it around an object that spans the top of the jar, such as a pencil, chopstick, or butter knife.
- Tighten the wick after pouring: Give the wick some slack during the pouring process, then tighten it back up to the centre after the wax is in the container.
- Re-centering an off-centered wick: If your wick becomes off-centered while burning, use long tweezers to gently guide it back to the centre. Dip the tweezers about 1/4-1/2" into the liquid wax and adjust the wick. Allow the wax to solidify completely before lighting the candle again.
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$14.28
Tools to use for shaving a candle
Shaving a candle can be done in several ways, depending on the tools available. Here are some options for tools that can be used to shave a candle:
Candle Shaver/Sharpener
A candle shaver, also known as a candle sharpener, is a specific tool designed for shaving candles. It works similarly to a manual pencil sharpener. Place the candle shaver over the base of the candle and gently turn it to shave off thin layers of wax until the desired diameter is achieved. The wax shavings collect in a cup within the shaver to prevent a mess. You can find candle sharpeners made of various materials, including plastic and solid copper. They are available on Amazon and from specialty candle-making brands like Ner Mitzvah and Crafted Candles.
Taper Tipper
The Taper Tipper is another tool designed specifically for trimming the base of a candle. It appears to be made from a mixture of metals, with aluminum being the primary component. The Taper Tipper is mentioned as a useful tool for fitting taper candles into bottles or candleholders. However, it seems that this product may no longer be in production, as it is challenging to find it available for purchase.
Knife
A knife can be used as an alternative to a dedicated candle-shaving tool. By using a knife, you can carve down the bottom of a candle to fit it inside a bottle or candleholder. However, this method may be messier and more cumbersome than using a purpose-built candle shaver.
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Frequently asked questions
Candle shaving is the process of trimming the wick and wax of a candle before lighting it. This helps the candle burn evenly, prevents wax tunnelling, and makes the candle last longer.
Shaving a new candle helps to remove any hardened wax on the sides, maintaining a uniform look and promoting even burning. It also ensures the wick is centred, which encourages even wax pooling and further prevents tunnelling.
To shave a candle, use a small wick trimmer or scissors to cut the wick to 1/4 inch in length. Be careful not to cut the wick too short. Then, use a knife or manicure scissors to trim away any hardened wax from the edges of the candle. Finally, use a ruler or wick guide tool to gently centre the wick if needed.
You can use a variety of tools to shave a candle, including a wick trimmer, small scissors, a knife, or manicure scissors. For tapered candles, a Taper Tipper can be used to whittle down the base of the candle. Taper Tippers can be found on eBay or Etsy, or you can try a similar product called the Taper Candle Shaper.
