Brooke Martin
There are many reasons why you might want to shorten a candle. Perhaps it's too tall for your holder, or maybe the wick is too short. Maybe it's bent, or perhaps you just want to get more candles for your money. Whatever the reason, there are several ways to shorten a candle, from cutting it with a knife or a candle wand, to straightening or melting it.
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Using a knife
Prepare the Candle and Workspace
Place the candle on a flat, stable surface. If your candle is in a container, such as a jar or bottle, ensure it is secure and will not roll or tip over. You may want to lay down paper or foil to catch any wax drippings and make cleanup easier.
Warm the Knife
For taper candles, it is recommended to warm the knife by running it under hot water. This will help prevent the candle wax from chipping as you cut. Dry the knife before proceeding to cut the wax. Alternatively, you can use a hot knife, which will melt through the wax.
Cut the Wax
For taper candles, hold the knife with the blade facing up. Place the top end of the candle between your thumb and the knife, and hold the bottom of the taper in your other hand. Twist your hands in opposite directions while applying slight pressure to the candle with your thumb to remove some of the wax. Ensure you do not cut the wick.
For pillar candles, use a sharp knife to carefully cut off the desired amount of wax from the top of the candle. If the candle is too wide, cut the wax in sections, working from one side to the other. Slide the knife from the side through to the wick, and then cut all the way around. You should then be able to lift off the excess wax, creating a flat surface for even burning.
For container candles, use a regular kitchen knife or flat-head screwdriver. Start by sticking the tip of the knife or screwdriver into the wax on the backside of the wick, pushing it toward the side of the container. Be careful not to push too hard and damage the container. It is okay to dig out the wax at an angle, leaving it higher near the wick and lower at the side of the jar.
Finishing Touches
After cutting, use a lighter or matches to gently heat the cut edge of the wax. This will help smooth it out and prevent cracking or breaking. Ensure the wick is trimmed to the appropriate length for burning.
While using a knife to shorten a candle is a viable option, there are also specialised tools available, such as candle wands or taper tippers, that may provide a neater and more efficient solution.
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Using a bandsaw
While it is not a common practice, a bandsaw can be used to shorten a candle. This method can be used to cut off the uneven bottoms of pillar candles so that they stand upright.
A bandsaw is typically used for woodworking, but it can also be used to cut candles. To do this, you will need to set up the bandsaw with the appropriate blade and ensure that the candle is securely held in place.
When using a bandsaw to cut a candle, it is important to use a coarse blade rather than a fine-toothed blade. A coarse blade will be able to cut through the wax more effectively and is less likely to clog with wax. It is also important to ensure that the blade is properly lubricated to prevent wax buildup.
To cut the candle, slowly and carefully feed it into the bandsaw, ensuring that it is held securely at all times. With the right blade and proper technique, the bandsaw should be able to cut through the candle without any issues.
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Using a taper tipper
A taper tipper is a device that can be used to trim down the base of a taper candle. It is considered safer than using a knife and is easy to use.
To use a taper tipper, place the candle into the taper tipper. While holding the taper tipper steady with one hand, twist or rotate the candle with the other hand. This action is similar to sharpening a pencil, but instead, you are whittling down the candle.
Taper tippers are not currently being manufactured, but they can be found on eBay and Etsy. They are made from a mixture of metals, primarily aluminum.
If you don't have a taper tipper, there are alternative methods to straighten a taper candle. One method involves using warm tap water. Place the bent part of the candle under lukewarm water, moving it back and forth to warm up the wax. Avoid softening the wax too much, as it may lose its shape. Once the wax is warm enough, bend the candle back to its proper shape. Finally, run cold water over the candle to harden the wax.
Another method to correct a leaning taper candle is to use household items such as tin foil or masking tape. Cut a strip of tin foil that is approximately 1/2 inch wide and 4 inches long. Fold the tin foil in half lengthwise, creating a strip that is now 1/4 inch wide and 4 inches long. This tin foil strip can be used to fill the extra space in the candle holder, ensuring a snug fit for the taper candle.
Candle snugglers, or circular pieces of foam, can also be used to tighten the fit of a taper candle in a holder. Place the foam disk across the top of the holder and press the candle down into the hole. Trim any excess foam that is sticking out.
By using a taper tipper or alternative methods, you can ensure that your taper candles fit securely and elegantly in their holders, enhancing the ambiance of your space.
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Melting the wax
Firstly, you can use a Candle Wand, which is a safe and effective way to melt and cut off excess wax from pillar candles. The wand is plugged in and heated to a constant temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit, which is a safe wax-melting temperature. This temperature eliminates smoke and minimises over-melting, allowing you to smoothly slice off the excess wax.
Another option is to use a Taper Tipper, which is a tool specifically designed to trim down the base of a taper candle. It is safer than a knife and gives a much smoother finish.
If you don't have access to either of these tools, you can use a knife to cut and melt off the wax. Heat the knife and carefully cut and melt the desired amount of wax from the top of the candle. If the candle has a wick, trim it to about a quarter of an inch above the wax surface. If the candle is too wide, cut the wax in sections, working from one side to the other. You can then use a lighter or matches to gently heat the cut edge, smoothing it out and preventing cracks.
Finally, if you are looking to straighten a bent taper candle, you can use warm water to melt and reshape the wax. Hold the bent part of the candle under lukewarm tap water, being careful not to soften the wax too much. Once the wax is warm, you can safely bend the candle back into its proper shape. Then, run cold water over the candle to harden the wax back into place.
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Using a candle wand
A candle wand is a handy tool to have if you want to shorten a pillar candle. It is a candle cutting and resurfacing tool that resembles a curling iron with a flat blade. The wand is plugged into an electrical outlet and the blade is heated to a constant temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit, which is a safe wax-melting temperature.
The candle wand is simple to use. Firstly, lay out newspaper or paper towels to cut the candle on, which will catch any wax runoff. Then, place the candle on a flat, stable surface. Turn on the wand and wait for it to heat up to the correct temperature (this should take no time at all, with one source stating 45 seconds). Once the wand is heated, simply cut off the desired amount of wax from the candle. You can cut from the top or the bottom of the candle, depending on your needs. If cutting from the top, ensure the wick is trimmed to about 1/4 inch above the wax surface.
The wand's controlled temperature eliminates smoke and minimizes over-melting, allowing you to smoothly slice off excess wax. You can also use the wand to sculpt and shape your candles as you desire.
The candle wand is an effective and safe way to shorten pillar candles, and it is also reasonably priced, making it a good value product.
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