Brooke Martin
Scented candles are a great way to create a romantic or calming atmosphere, but blowing them out can leave an unpleasant smell and soot on your wick. The smoke from extinguishing a candle can ruin the luxurious atmosphere you've created, so it's important to know the best ways to put out a candle without causing any smoke.
How to Turn Off a Candle Without the Smell
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Using a Lid | Deprives the flame of oxygen, but may alter the scent of the candle and leave black residue. |
| Blowing it Out | Simple and straightforward, but may leave an unpleasant after-smell and soot on the wick. |
| Wick Dipper | An age-old method that instantly snuffs out the flame with little to no smoke. |
| Candle Snuffer | Fashionable, inexpensive, and safe, with almost no smoke produced. |
| Alternative Options | Battery-operated candles, festive lights, air purifiers, and oil mists. |
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What You'll Learn
Using a wick dipper
To use a wick dipper, gently press the lit candle wick into the wax pool, instantly snuffing out the flame. Then, pull the wick back up into a straight position. This method produces almost no smoke, making it a favourite among those who dislike lingering smokiness. It also recoats the wick with wax after each burn, ensuring a nice, clean flame when you relight it.
The only drawback of using a wick dipper is that some burnt wick residue might fall into the wax pool. However, this can be avoided by using a candle snuffer, which is another recommended method for extinguishing candles without ruining their fragrance.
Wick dippers are preferred over simply blowing out candles, as blowing can cause issues such as unevenness in the wax and the release of smoke, which can alter the scent of the room and the candle itself. Similarly, using the lid of a candle jar to extinguish a flame can alter the scent of the candle by trapping smoke and soot inside.
Overall, using a wick dipper is an effective way to extinguish a candle without any smell, as it instantly puts out the flame and produces minimal smoke. It is a simple, quick, and inexpensive method that improves the condition of the wicks for future burns.
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Using a candle snuffer
- Ensure that you burn your candle for no more than 4-6 hours at a time. Burning it for a longer duration can cause it to overheat, leading to uneven burns, mushroom-shaped wicks, and excess smoke.
- When it's time to extinguish the flame, use a candle snuffer. Hold the snuffer over the lit wick without dipping it into the wax.
- Gently hover the snuffer over the wick for about 10 seconds until the rim of the bell barely touches the surface of the wax pool.
- The snuffer will cut off the oxygen supply to the flame, causing it to gradually extinguish without creating smoke or blowing soot and wax around.
- After extinguishing the flame, pay attention to the wick. If it has started to mushroom, extinguish the candle with a snuffer, trim the wick, and then use a wick dipper to coat the wick with melted wax.
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Avoid using the lid
Although using the lid to extinguish a candle may seem like a convenient option, there are several reasons why this method is not recommended. Firstly, not all lids are designed for extinguishing purposes. Some lids are purely decorative, made from materials like wood or plastic, which can melt or deform when exposed to the heat of the flame. Even if the lid is made from a suitable material, using it to extinguish the candle can result in trapped smoke and soot inside the jar. This can leave an unsightly black residue on the lid and inside the container, detracting from the appearance of your candle.
Additionally, the trapped soot can settle into the wax, particularly if you have white-coloured soy wax, giving it a dirty and unappealing look. The smoke trapped under the lid can also alter the original fragrance of your candle, causing it to take on a smoky scent over time. This can be especially disappointing if you have invested in a scented candle for its pleasant aroma. Furthermore, using the lid to extinguish your candle may create a vacuum seal, making it difficult to remove the lid the next time you want to light your candle.
Instead of relying on the lid, there are alternative methods that can effectively extinguish your candle without compromising its appearance or fragrance. One popular option is to use a wick dipper, a long metal tool with a flat handle on one end and a thin tip with a bent hook on the other. With this tool, you gently press the lit candle wick into the wax pool, instantly snuffing out the flame, and then pull the wick back up into a straight position. This method produces minimal to no smoke and helps to re-coat the wick with wax, ensuring a clean flame when you relight it.
Another recommended method is to use a candle snuffer, a long-stemmed metal rod with a small cone or bell at the end. By hovering the cone or bell over the flame and lowering it to touch the surface of the wax pool, you cut off the oxygen supply, extinguishing the flame without creating smoke. This method is safe, elegant, and prevents debris from falling into the wax pool. Both wick dippers and candle snuffers are designed to extinguish candles without ruining their scent or appearance, making them superior alternatives to using the lid.
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Opt for flameless candles
If you're looking for a way to enjoy the ambiance of a candle without the hassle of dealing with smoke or the risk of an open flame, flameless candles are a perfect alternative. Flameless candles, also known as LED or battery-operated candles, offer a safe and convenient option for creating a cozy atmosphere.
One of the biggest advantages of flameless candles is their safety. With no open flame, you don't have to worry about the potential fire hazards associated with traditional candles. This makes them a worry-free choice for homes with children or pets, as well as for use in spaces where an open flame might be unsafe, such as near curtains or other flammable objects.
Flameless candles also eliminate the issue of smoke and soot, which can be a concern with traditional candles. With no flame, there's no smoke to fill the room or leave behind a lingering smell. This makes them ideal for creating a pure and clean ambiance, especially for those who are sensitive to strong scents or prone to allergies.
In addition to safety and cleanliness, flameless candles offer convenience and ease of use. Many flameless candles come with built-in timers, allowing you to set and forget, creating a warm and inviting space without having to remember to blow them out. They are also versatile and available in a wide range of styles, sizes, and colours to suit any decor or occasion. From pillar candles to tea lights, and taper candles to window candles, you can find flameless options that mimic the look and feel of real candles without the mess of dripping wax.
For a truly magical experience, consider flameless candles with flickering effects. Companies like Luminara offer flameless candles that dance and flicker with patented technology, creating an incredibly realistic flame-like illusion. With flameless candles, you can enjoy the beauty and warmth of candlelight without any of the drawbacks, making them a smart and stylish choice for any home.
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Try an air purifier
Burning scented candles can fill your home with a pleasant aroma, but they can also negatively affect indoor air quality. Candles are known to release toxic chemicals such as benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde, which are linked to various health issues, including cancer and asthma. To mitigate these potential risks and enjoy your candles without worrying about air quality, consider investing in an air purifier.
Air purifiers are designed to remove pollutants and allergens from the air, including those released by scented candles. By placing an air purifier in the same room as your candle, you can reduce the concentration of these harmful chemicals in the air. The purifier will detect the presence of candle smoke and scents and will work to clean the air by capturing the pollution emitted by the candle.
It is important to note that an air purifier will not completely eliminate the scent of a candle immediately. The rate at which the purifier removes the vapors depends on its capacity to move air and the diffusion of vapors from the candle to the purifier. However, over time, the purifier will reduce the vapor concentration and improve the air quality in the room.
When choosing an air purifier, opt for one that traps particles using multiple layers and avoid washable filters, as they can expose you to the trapped particles. Additionally, consider the coverage area of the purifier to ensure it is suitable for the size of the room where you burn candles. By selecting the right air purifier and placing it in the appropriate location, you can effectively reduce the impact of candle pollutants on your indoor air quality.
In summary, while scented candles can enhance the ambiance, it is important to be mindful of their impact on air quality. By using an air purifier, you can minimize the presence of toxic chemicals in the air and create a healthier environment for you and your family. Enjoy the warmth and aroma of your candles while taking proactive steps to maintain good air quality in your home with the help of an air purifier.
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Frequently asked questions
Using a candle snuffer or wick dipper are two ways to extinguish a candle without creating a smoky smell.
A candle snuffer is a long-stemmed metal rod with a small cone or bell at the end. To extinguish the flame, hover the cone or bell over the flame and lower it until it touches the wax.
A wick dipper is a long metal tool with a flat handle on one end and a thin tip with a bent hook on the other. Use the hook to gently press the lit wick into the wax, depriving the flame of oxygen and extinguishing it.
Some burnt wick residue might fall into the wax pool. If you're not careful when pulling the wick back out, you might end up with a buried wick.
Yes, you can use the candle's lid to put it out. Simply place the lid on the jar while the flame is lit to prevent oxygen from reaching the flame. However, this method may alter the candle's scent, making it smell smoky.
