Tyler Brooks
Trick candles, also known as magic candles, are a fun addition to any birthday party. They are novelty candles that relight themselves after being blown out, creating a humorous spectacle. The secret behind their seemingly magical ability lies in the addition of an ingredient, typically magnesium, which ignites at a lower temperature than the paraffin wax used in regular candles. This allows the ember in the wick to remain hot enough to reignite the candle even after it has been blown out. While these candles are entertaining, they also pose potential fire hazards, especially if not properly extinguished, leading to their ban in certain places.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other Names | Magic Candles |
| Work Principle | The three elements to sustain fire are concealed in one convenient package. |
| Fuel | Wax |
| Catalyst | Wick |
| Wick Composition | Braided cotton treated with a chemical salt solution and Magnesium powder/flakes |
| Wax Composition | Paraffin Hydrocarbons |
| Relighting Mechanism | The ember in the wick is hot enough to ignite the magnesium, which in turn ignites the paraffin wax vapour |
| Extinguishing Mechanism | Snuffing or dunking in a liquid to cut off the oxygen supply |
| Inventor | Unknown, but several patents exist |
| Manufacturing Location | Typically manufactured in Asia |
| Legal Status | Banned in Canada since 1977 |
| Hazards | Fire hazard due to the potential for relighting after disposal |
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What You'll Learn
How trick candles work
Trick candles, also known as magic candles, are a type of novelty candle capable of relighting themselves after being blown out. They achieve this by incorporating magnesium powder, dust, or flakes into the wick. When the flame is extinguished, the wick remains hot enough to ignite the magnesium, which produces sparks and reignites the wick. This process occurs because magnesium is a highly reactive metal with a low ignition temperature of approximately 800 °F (430 °C). The burning of magnesium then ignites the paraffin vapour above the extinguished candle, allowing the candle to relight itself.
The key to understanding how trick candles work lies in comprehending the difference between normal candles and trick candles during the extinguishing process. In a typical candle, blowing out the flame leaves a burning ember in the wick that causes a ribbon of paraffin smoke to rise. However, this ember is usually not hot enough to ignite the paraffin vapour and relight the candle.
In contrast, the wick of a trick candle contains magnesium, which has a lower ignition temperature than other metals like aluminium or iron. When the flame is blown out, the ember in the wick is still hot enough to ignite the magnesium, which then relights the candle. This process occurs even if the flame is extinguished multiple times.
The novelty of trick candles lies in their ability to relight themselves, providing entertainment at birthday parties and other celebrations. However, it is important to exercise caution when using trick candles due to the potential fire hazards they pose. To thoroughly extinguish a trick candle, it is recommended to run it under water or immerse it in water before disposal to prevent accidental fires.
While the exact inventor of the trick candle is unknown, several patents describe similar products. For example, Japanese inventor Toshio Takahashi invented a "self-ignited candle" in 1983, and Earl M. Stenger filed a US patent for a wind-resistant candle with a magnesium wick in 2003. Trick candles have been banned in Canada since 1977 due to fire safety concerns, but they remain legal in other countries, including the United States.
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The dangers of trick candles
Trick candles, also known as magic candles, are a novelty item that can repeatedly relight themselves after being extinguished. While they can add a flash of spontaneity to any party, they also pose several dangers that users should be aware of.
Firstly, trick candles present a significant fire risk. The candles relight due to the presence of magnesium powder in the wick, which ignites at temperatures as low as 800 °F (430 °C). This means that even after being blown out, the hot embers from the wick can ignite the magnesium, causing the candle to reignite. As a result, if users are unaware of this mechanism and assume the candle is extinguished, they may accidentally start a fire by discarding the candle in the trash or leaving it unattended. To prevent this, it is crucial to thoroughly extinguish trick candles by immersing them in water to cut off their oxygen supply before disposal.
Secondly, there are potential health concerns associated with trick candles. The burning of magnesium and other metals in the wick, such as aluminum or iron, can release metal oxide emissions. However, there is a lack of data and research on the toxicity of these emissions, which has raised concerns among experts. The long-term effects of exposure to these emissions are unknown, and the potential health risks have caused some companies to reconsider using colored-flame technology in their products.
Additionally, the ease of access to instructions for making trick candles online may lead to an increased risk of accidents or misuse. Anyone with access to video-sharing sites can find tutorials on creating these candles, which could result in improper manufacturing or use, leading to unintended consequences.
While trick candles are currently legal in the United States and manufactured primarily in Asia, Canada has taken a proactive approach by banning their sale and advertisement since 1977 due to fire hazard concerns. The National Candle Association in Washington, D.C., has also expressed worries about the potential fire hazards associated with trick candles and recommended education and caution when using them.
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The novelty factor
Trick candles, also known as magic candles, are a source of amusement at parties and celebrations. They are novelty candles that relight themselves after being blown out, adding a flash of spontaneity to any event. The key to their novelty factor is their ability to continuously reignite, baffling and entertaining guests.
The science behind trick candles is quite simple and centres around the wick. Typically, candle wax is made from paraffin hydrocarbons, and the wick is usually braided cotton treated with a chemical salt solution to prevent it from burning too quickly. In trick candles, however, an extra ingredient is added to the wick—usually magnesium powder or flakes, a highly reactive metal that ignites at low temperatures of around 800 °F (430 °C).
When a regular candle is blown out, a small ember in the wick continues to burn, melting the wax but not hot enough to reignite the vapour and sustain the flame. In contrast, when a trick candle is blown out, the ember ignites the magnesium, producing tiny sparks. The burning magnesium then ignites the paraffin vapour, causing the candle to relight.
The novelty of trick candles lies in this relighting mechanism, creating a fun and surprising experience for users. The candles can be blown out repeatedly, and their persistence adds an element of challenge and humour to any celebration. However, it is important to note that they can also pose a fire hazard if not properly extinguished and disposed of, as they may relight unexpectedly.
While the exact inventor of trick candles is unknown, there have been several patents related to similar concepts. For example, Japanese inventor Toshio Takahashi patented a "self-ignited candle" in 1983, and in 2003, Earl M. Stenger patented a wind-resistant candle with a wick containing magnesium.
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The history of trick candles
Trick candles, also known as magic candles, are a novelty item often used at birthday parties and other celebrations. These candles are designed to relight themselves after being blown out, creating a flash of spontaneity at any gathering. While the exact origins of trick candles are difficult to trace, patent filings from the 1980s onwards shed some light on their history and development.
In 1983, Toshio Takahashi filed a patent in Japan for a "Self-Ignited Candle." This invention involved incorporating aluminium, magnesium, iron, or an alloy of these metals into the candle's wick, allowing it to reignite. A subsequent patent filed in the United States in 2003 by Earl M. Stenger described a wind-resistant candle with wick fibres made of magnesium or a magnesium-aluminium blend. These patents highlight the innovative thinking behind trick candles and the ongoing improvements to their design.
The unique feature of trick candles lies in their ability to relight. When a regular candle is blown out, the wick's dying ember may not be hot enough to ignite the escaping paraffin vapour, resulting in the candle staying extinguished. However, trick candles use materials like magnesium, a highly reactive metal with a low ignition point, in their wicks. When the initial flame is blown out, the hot embers ignite the magnesium, producing tiny sparks that then relight the wick by igniting the vaporised paraffin.
Despite their popularity, trick candles have faced scrutiny due to safety concerns. They have been banned in Canada since 1977 due to their potential as a fire hazard. The National Candle Association has also expressed concerns, highlighting the risk of discarded trick candles relighting and causing fires. To address this, experts recommend thoroughly extinguishing trick candles by dunking them in water to deprive them of oxygen before disposal.
While the history of trick candles may not be extensively documented, their impact on celebrations and the novelty market is undeniable. These candles continue to surprise and delight partygoers with their seemingly magical ability to defy being blown out, making them a memorable addition to any special occasion.
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How to extinguish trick candles
Trick candles, also known as magic candles, are typically used at parties and on birthdays. They repeatedly reignite after being blown out, thanks to the inclusion of magnesium powder in the candle's wick. This simple chemistry allows the wick to glow a fiery red and flicker before the flame reappears.
- Using a metal candle snuffer is a cleaner and more efficient alternative to blowing out a candle. It deprives the flame of oxygen, stifling it gradually and producing less smoke or soot.
- Blowing out a trick candle can be done by creating a thin stream of air that will put out the candle in one quick gust. It is important to keep blowing until the flame is completely extinguished and to stand clear of the smoke.
- Trick candles can be extinguished by dousing them in water to cut off the candle's oxygen supply. This method is recommended by Barbara Miller, a spokeswoman for the National Candle Association, who also advises letting the candles sit in water for an hour or two before disposal to ensure they don't relight.
It is important to note that trick candles pose potential fire hazards, as they can be mistakenly discarded while still hot, starting accidental fires. Canada has banned the sale and advertisement of trick candles since 1977 due to these safety concerns.
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Frequently asked questions
Trick candles, also known as magic candles, are novelty candles that can relight themselves a few seconds after being blown out.
Trick candles work by igniting magnesium inserted into the wick of the candle. The paraffin vapour given off when a candle is blown out can then be set alight, allowing the candle to reignite itself.
Trick candles are a fire hazard as they can be mistaken for extinguished candles and thrown away, causing a fire. They have been banned in Canada since 1977 due to this risk. To safely extinguish a trick candle, it should be snuffed or dunked in water to cut off the oxygen supply.
