Stopping Trick Candles: Tricks To Blow Them Out

Trick candles, also known as magic candles, are a fun addition to any celebration. However, their seemingly endless flames can be frustrating when you're eager to eat cake. The key to stopping these candles lies in understanding their unique chemistry. This involves the interaction of magnesium, paraffin wax, and oxygen, which allows the candles to relight even after being blown out. To extinguish them effectively, you must cut off their oxygen supply by submerging them in water. So, before you wish away your next birthday wish, make sure you know how to handle those tricky trick candles!

Snuff out the flame or dunk in water

Trick candles are novelty candles that can relight themselves after being extinguished. They work by burning candle wax, the same as regular candles. However, the wicks of trick candles contain magnesium powder or fine flakes, a highly reactive metal that ignites at a relatively low temperature of 800 ºF or 430 ºC. When a trick candle is blown out, the wick ember remains hot enough to ignite the magnesium. The heat of the burning magnesium then ignites the paraffin vapour above the extinguished candle, causing the candle flame to come back to life.

Due to their self-reigniting properties, trick candles can pose a fire hazard if not handled properly. To prevent this, it is important to thoroughly extinguish the candles before disposal. One effective way to do this is by snuffing out the flame. Snuffers are tools specifically designed to extinguish candles, typically made from metal with a small cup-like end that is placed over the flame to starve it of oxygen. Using a snuffer can help ensure the flame is fully extinguished without creating any smoke or causing hot wax to splatter.

Another method to stop a trick candle from relighting is by dunking it in water. This approach works by depriving the flame of oxygen, which is necessary for combustion. By submerging the candle in water, you prevent the wick and magnesium from coming into contact with oxygen, effectively halting the chemical reaction and preventing the candle from reigniting. It is recommended to leave the candle in water for a period of time, ensuring it has completely cooled and will not relight before disposal.

Barbara Miller, a spokeswoman for the National Candle Association, advises running trick candles under water for a thorough extinguishing. She also suggests setting the candles in a sink full of water for an hour or two before discarding them to ensure they are fully cooled and inert. This practice is especially important to prevent accidental fires, as the candles may otherwise be thrown away while still hot, posing a significant fire risk.

In summary, to stop a trick candle from relighting, one can employ either the snuffing or dunking method. Snuffing involves using a snuffer to deprive the flame of oxygen, while dunking involves submerging the candle in water to achieve the same effect. Both methods are effective, but dunking in water is particularly recommended due to the fire hazard posed by trick candles. By following these steps and treating these candles with caution, users can safely enjoy the novelty and surprise that trick candles bring to any celebration.

Magnesium is the key to relighting

The key to stopping trick candles lies in understanding their chemistry. These candles are designed to relight themselves, thanks to the presence of magnesium in the wick. When a regular candle is blown out, the wick remains hot enough to produce a thin ribbon of paraffin smoke, but not to reignite the flame. However, in trick candles, the wick contains magnesium powder or fine flakes, a highly reactive metal.

Magnesium has a low ignition temperature of approximately 800 ºF or 430 ºC. When the flame of a trick candle is blown out, the wick ember is hot enough to ignite the magnesium, which then combusts with oxygen, releasing light and heat. This heat is sufficient to ignite the paraffin vapour above the extinguished candle, causing the candle to relight.

To prevent this relighting mechanism, the oxygen supply to the ember must be cut off. This can be achieved by snuffing out the candle or dunking it in water. It is important to ensure the candle is thoroughly extinguished, as failing to do so can pose a fire hazard. Barbara Miller, a spokeswoman for the National Candle Association, recommends running the candles under water and then setting them aside for a while before disposal to ensure complete extinguishment.

The use of magnesium in trick candles is not a recent discovery. People have known about magnesium's pyrophoric properties since the 19th century. Various patents have been filed over the years, with Japanese inventor Toshio Takahashi inventing a "self-ignited candle" in 1983 that used a wick containing magnesium. While these candles provide entertainment, it is crucial to prioritise safety and follow proper extinguishing procedures to prevent unintended fires.

How to make your own trick candles

Making your own trick candles is a fun project, but it's important to be aware of the potential fire hazards they pose. Before you begin, make sure you have the necessary safety equipment, such as a fire extinguisher or a bucket of water, in case of any accidents.

To make your own trick candles, you will need a few key ingredients and materials: candle wax, wicks, magnesium powder or thin strips of magnesium, and any desired moulds or containers for your candles. Candle wax can be made from paraffin hydrocarbons, which are commonly used in candle-making. Alternatively, you can get creative and use other types of wax, such as beeswax or soy wax.

The key component that makes trick candles unique is the addition of magnesium to the wick. Magnesium is a highly reactive metal, especially when powdered or sliced thinly. It has a relatively low ignition temperature of 800 ºF or 430 ºC. When a trick candle is blown out, the magnesium in the wick is exposed to oxygen and ignites, causing the candle to relight.

• Prepare your candle wax: Melt your chosen wax in a double boiler or a dedicated candle-making melting pot. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the correct melting temperature and duration.
• Add colour and fragrance (optional): If desired, you can add candle dye and fragrance oil to your melted wax. Stir thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
• Prepare the wicks: Cut your wicks to the appropriate length for your moulds or containers. If using braided cotton wicks, you can treat them with a chemical salt solution to prevent them from burning too quickly. Let them dry completely before proceeding to the next step.
• Embed the magnesium: This is the crucial step in creating trick candles. Carefully incorporate the magnesium powder or thin strips into the wick. You can dip the wicks into the melted wax and then roll or press the magnesium onto the wax-coated wick. Alternatively, you can use a glue gun to adhere the magnesium strips to the wick. Ensure that the magnesium is securely attached to the wick.
• Mould and cool: Place your wicks in the centre of your moulds or containers. Secure them in place with wick holders or by tying the top of the wick to a pencil or chopstick laid across the mould. Pour the melted wax slowly and carefully into your moulds, leaving a small gap at the top. Allow the wax to cool and harden completely.
• Release and trim: Once the wax has hardened, remove your candles from the moulds or containers. Trim the wicks to about ¼ inch (0.6 cm) above the wax.

Your homemade trick candles are now ready for some birthday fun! Remember to exercise caution when using them, and always extinguish them properly by dunking them in water before disposal to prevent accidental fires.

The dangers of trick candles

Trick candles, also known as magic candles, are novelty candles that can relight themselves. They are so-called because they are designed to trick people into thinking they have been extinguished, only to reignite moments later. This effect is achieved by inserting magnesium into the wick of the candle. When the candle is blown out, the paraffin vapour that is released is set alight by the ignited magnesium, causing the candle to relight.

While trick candles may seem like harmless fun, they pose several potential dangers that consumers should be aware of. One of the main concerns is the risk of fire. Because trick candles are designed to relight, people may mistakenly believe that they have been extinguished when they have not. This could lead to people discarding the candles in the trash, only for them to relight and start a fire. Indeed, a spokesperson for the National Candle Association, Barbara Miller, expressed concern about this very issue, stating that "people think the candles are done, so they take them out of the cake and throw them in the trash. Suddenly their trash is on fire."

Another potential danger of trick candles is the emission of metal oxides. Ron Newman, an independent consultant on home fragrance product formulations, has highlighted the lack of data on the toxicity of metal oxide emissions from coloured-flame candles. According to Newman, "this is really an unknown area of emissions," and the potential health risks of exposure to these emissions are not yet fully understood.

In addition to the health and safety risks, trick candles can also cause frustration and disappointment. As the candles continue to relight, the wait for cake is prolonged, which some may find annoying or frustrating. This could ruin the festive atmosphere that the candles were intended to create.

Overall, while trick candles may seem like a fun and novel idea, it is important to be aware of the potential dangers they pose. To mitigate these risks, it is recommended that consumers thoroughly extinguish the candles by running them under water to cut off the oxygen supply before discarding them.

Countries where trick candles are banned

Trick candles, also known as magic candles, are a fun novelty item for parties and birthdays. They are capable of relighting themselves due to the inclusion of magnesium in their wicks. However, they pose a fire risk as consumers may dispose of them in the trash, believing them to be extinguished, only for the candles to relight. As a result, trick candles have been banned in some countries. Here is a list of countries where trick candles are banned:

Canada

Canada banned the sale and advertisement of trick candles in 1977 due to safety concerns. The ban was implemented after trick candles caused a few house fires in the 1970s.

Other Countries

While I could not find specific countries, it is likely that other countries have similar concerns and regulations regarding trick candles. It is always important to prioritize safety and follow local laws and regulations when using or selling any potentially hazardous items, including trick candles.

To ensure safety, it is recommended to thoroughly extinguish trick candles by running them under water to deprive them of oxygen before disposal.

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