Ben Carter
Candles with glass lids are popular, but should you use the lid to put out the flame? While some sources suggest that using the lid is a neat trick to minimise smoke and lingering smells, others advise against it. One reason is safety: using the lid to extinguish a candle can create a vacuum effect, risking the glass breaking or the flame reigniting. In addition, the lid traps smoke and soot within the jar, discolouring the wax and altering the scent. So, while it is possible to use the lid to put out a candle, it is not recommended. Instead, use a wick dipper or snuffers to safely extinguish the flame without affecting the appearance or fragrance of the candle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prevent smoke from escaping | Yes |
| Prevent lingering smoky smell | Yes |
| Cause discolouration of wax | Yes |
| Cause discolouration of jar | Yes |
| Cause discolouration of lid | Yes |
| Affect candle's scent | Yes |
| Lid may get stuck | Yes |
| Risk of glass breaking | Yes |
| Risk of flame reigniting | Yes |
| Risk of splattering hot wax | No |
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What You'll Learn
Candle lids can be used to extinguish flames
However, some people prefer to use the lid to extinguish their candles to prevent smoke from being released into the surrounding area. This can be particularly useful in smaller spaces or when trying to avoid the smell of smoke. To use this method effectively, it is recommended that the lid is only lightly placed on top of the candle jar, rather than being pressed down, to restrict the airflow and suffocate the flame. This will prevent the jar from becoming vacuum-sealed and the lid from becoming stuck.
Another benefit of using the lid to extinguish a candle is that it can be a safer alternative to blowing out the candle, which can cause hot wax to splatter and may not fully extinguish the flame. However, using the lid can also create a vacuum effect, which may cause the glass to break or the flame to reignite unexpectedly. Therefore, it is important to take precautions and only lightly rest the lid on top of the jar until the flame goes out.
Overall, while candle lids can be used to extinguish flames, there are alternative methods that may be safer and more effective in preserving the appearance and scent of the candle. These include using a wick dipper or snuffers, trimming the wick, and allowing the candle to burn until the entire top layer of wax has melted. By combining these techniques, individuals can enjoy their candles while also prioritising safety and maintaining the integrity of their candles.
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Using a candle lid can cause a vacuum effect
Candle lids are useful to keep nearby when you light the candle, as they can be used to extinguish the flame. However, it is important to note that you should not press the lid down completely. Doing so can create a vacuum effect, causing the lid to suction tightly and making it difficult to reopen.
When the candle flame is covered by a lid, the heat from the candle makes the air inside the jar hot, and this hot air expands, taking up more space. As the flame is extinguished, the air inside the jar starts to cool down and shrink, creating an area of low pressure, or a partial vacuum. This results in the pressure outside the jar becoming higher than the pressure inside, leading to the vacuum effect.
To avoid this, it is recommended to gently place the lid on top of the candle jar without pressing it down. This will restrict the air that feeds the flame and cause it to go out, without creating the vacuum effect. Additionally, this method helps to prevent smoke and lingering smells from being released into the room.
While using the lid to extinguish a candle can cause slight discoloration of the wax, some people find it fascinating to observe the trapped smoke inside the jar as the flame dies out. It is important to be cautious and only use non-flammable lids for this purpose.
In summary, using a candle lid can cause a vacuum effect if it is pressed down completely. To safely extinguish a candle with a lid, only lightly place the lid on top to restrict airflow and avoid creating a vacuum.
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Blowing out candles is not the best method
Using a lid to extinguish a candle is a safer alternative to blowing it out. However, it is not without its drawbacks. If you press the lid down too hard, it can cause the jar to turn black and create a vacuum seal, making it difficult to open. The trapped soot can also settle into the wax, affecting the appearance and scent of the candle.
A wick dipper is a safer and more effective way to extinguish a candle. It has a long handle that you use to press the wick down into the wax, eliminating oxygen and immediately putting out the flame with little to no smoke. This method also recoats the wick with a fresh layer of wax, resulting in a beautiful flame when you relight it.
Another option is to use a candle snuffer or douter, which has been used since the mid-17th century. It works well with most candles, quickly extinguishing the flame and minimising smoke. Modern candle snuffers are inexpensive and come in fashionable designs.
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How to fix a candle that's tunneling
Candle tunneling is a common problem that occurs when a hole forms down the centre of the candle, leaving unused wax at the edges. This can ruin the aesthetic appeal of the candle, as well as reducing its burn time and scent throw.
Candle tunneling is often caused by a candle not being burned long enough during its first few burns. This creates a "memory" in the wax, where the wax in the centre, having been previously melted, takes less heat to re-melt, causing the wax to melt at different rates and resulting in a tunneling effect.
To fix a candle that is tunneling, you can try the following methods:
- Use a hair dryer or blow dryer: Extinguish the flame, then use a hair dryer on medium heat or high heat to melt the wax to the edge of the container. This will remove the "memory" of the wax and help it burn evenly the next time it is lit.
- Try the foil trick: Wrap a piece of aluminium foil over the top of the candle, leaving a small opening for the wick and flame. This will increase the heat while keeping the vessel insulated, causing the excess wax to melt and creating an even burn.
- Scrape away excess wax: With a butter knife or spoon, gently scrape away the unburned wax around the edges, making the surface as flat as possible. Be gentle to avoid damaging the wick or container.
- Expose the wick: If the wick is too short or buried in wax, carefully dig around it to expose it and ensure it is the appropriate length for a proper burn. If necessary, replace it with a new wick of the correct size.
- Use a candle warmer: If your candle is too far gone, you can use a candle warmer to melt the wax and release the scent without the need for a flame.
To prevent candle tunneling in the future, it is important to burn the candle long enough during its first use to allow the wax to melt evenly across the entire surface. This usually takes at least one to two hours, or approximately one hour per inch in diameter, depending on the size of the candle. Additionally, trimming the wick to 1/4 inch before each lighting can help promote a cleaner, more consistent burn.
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Alternative ways to extinguish a candle
While putting a lid on a candle jar to extinguish it is possible, as it deprives the flame of oxygen, it is not recommended. This is because lids are often purely decorative and may be made of flammable or heat-sensitive materials, creating a safety risk. Lids can also trap smoke and soot inside the jar, leaving black residue and affecting the candle's scent preservation.
Using a Wick Dipper
Wick dippers are long pieces of metal with a flat handle on one end and a thin tip with a bent hook on the other. To use a wick dipper, gently press the lit candle wick into the wax pool, which instantly snuffs out the flame by depriving it of oxygen, before pulling the wick back up into a straight position. This method produces very little to no smoke and is, therefore, a favourite among people who dislike lingering smokiness. It also helps to re-coat the wick with wax, ensuring a clean flame when you relight it.
Using a Candle Snuffer
Candle snuffers, also known as douters, have been used for centuries to extinguish candles with minimal smoke. They are long-stemmed metal rods with a small cone or bell at the end. To extinguish the flame, hover the cone or bell over the flame and slowly lower it until it touches the surface of the wax pool, cutting off the oxygen supply. This method produces slightly more smoke than a wick dipper but is still minimal. It also prevents debris from falling into the wax pool.
Blowing Out the Candle
A well-known method of extinguishing candles is blowing them out. However, this can cause hot wax to splatter and may not fully extinguish the flame, leading to possible hazards. It can also create a burnt, smoke-scented room, which may be unpleasant.
Using Wet Fingers
If there is a source of water nearby, you can lightly wet your fingers and use them to extinguish the candle. To do this, pinch and quickly release the wick. The moisture should cause the flame to die as soon as you make contact, but be sure to let go immediately. This method is risky as it requires you to touch the lit wick and can affect the candle's wick and wax quality.
Removing the Wick
Another method is to remove the wick from the wax and straighten it out so that it stands on its own. Once the wax has cooled, trim away any burnt or frayed parts of the wick before relighting the candle. This method has the added benefit of conditioning the wick, allowing it to light more easily and stay lit longer.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you should not replace the glass lid on your candle. Using the lid to put out candles may harm the candle's appearance and scent. It can also create a vacuum effect, risking the glass breaking or the flame reigniting.
There are a few ways to extinguish a candle without using the lid:
- Using a wick dipper
- Using a snuffer
- Blowing it out
Using the lid to put out a candle can cause the jar to turn black and leave a sooty residue on the underside of the lid and the insides of the container. It can also alter the original fragrance of the candle.
