Maddie James
Relighting a candle without touching the flame to the wick is a simple trick that can surprise anyone. When a candle is lit, the heat from the flame melts the wax close to the wick, and the melted wax moves up the wick. The wick then absorbs the molten wax, and the wax vaporizes and burns up. When you blow out a candle, the residual heat from the wick keeps vaporizing the wax, creating a smoke trail. By bringing another flame close to this fuel trail, you can reignite the candle without touching the wick. However, for safety purposes, it is recommended not to keep a candle burning for longer than four hours, and to let the candle cool for two hours before relighting.
Characteristics and Values of Re-lighting a Candle
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Candle relighting trick | The smoke that comes out of the flame is material that has burned inefficiently. It is off-gases that didn't ignite due to their chemical structure but will combust given the right conditions (high heat). |
| How it works | The heat from the flame melts the wax around the wick, which is then sucked into the wick and vaporized. The wax vapour then burns, keeping the candle burning for hours. |
| Safety | Don't keep a candle burning for longer than recommended by the manufacturer. If burned for too long, carbon can collect on the wick, causing a dangerously large flame, smoke, and soot. |
| Candle maintenance | Trim the wick to ensure a cleaner and brighter burn. An untrimmed wick can lead to a mushroom-like shape that obscures the flame. |
| Scented candles | Scented candles should be stored in a cool, dark, and dry place. They typically have a lifespan of 6–12 months, depending on the fragrance. |
| Burning time | Candles should burn for an hour per inch of diameter. Prematurely putting out the flame can create a memory ring, causing the wick to sink deeper into the wax and shortening the candle's life. |
| Wax type | Different wax types can impact how a candle burns and glows. |
| Wick type | The size and type of wick can affect the flame height and brightness. |
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What You'll Learn
The smoke trail is wax vapour, not smoke
When a candle is lit, the flame melts the wax around the wick, which then vaporises due to the heat. This is why you can see a "smoke trail" rising from the candle even when it is burning properly. This vapour is not smoke, but wax vapour.
When you blow out a candle, the residual heat from the wick keeps vaporising the wax. The smoke trail you see when you blow out the candle is also wax vapour, not smoke. This vapour is fuel, and so, when you hold a flame to it, the vapour will ignite and the flame travels down to the wick, relighting the candle.
The reason scented candles give off a stronger smell when they are blown out is that the vapours are not being burnt, so the odour is stronger. This is also why plug-in air fresheners work: they vaporise and disperse the odour molecules.
It is important to note that you should not keep a candle burning for longer than is recommended by the manufacturer. If you burn a candle for too long, carbon can collect on the wick, making it unstable and leading to a dangerously large flame. As a rule of thumb, candles should not burn for longer than four hours, and you should let the candle cool for two hours before relighting.
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Relighting the candle without touching the wick
Relighting a candle without touching the wick may sound like magic, but it is possible. This trick is based on the science of how candles work. When a candle is lit, the heat from the flame melts the wax close to the wick, and this melted wax is drawn up the wick by capillary action. The wick then absorbs the melted wax, which makes it even hotter. The wax becomes so hot that it vaporizes and evaporates, and it is this gas, not the solid wax, that burns and fuels the candle.
When you blow out a candle, the smoke you see is not actually smoke but vaporized wax. This wax vapour is hot enough to be ignited, and it is this vapour that fuels the candle, not the wick itself. So, when you blow out a candle and then hold a flame to the smoke trail, the flame travels along the trail of hot vapour to the wick, and the candle relights.
It is easier to relight the candle when the air is still, as this means there is a clear smoke trail to follow, and a higher concentration of wax vapour around the wick. You can also try this trick with different types of wax candles, such as bayberry wax, soy wax, or tallow, to see if some candles relight more easily than others.
This trick is a great way to impress your friends, but it is important to remember that candles involve a lot of variables, and fire can be dangerous. Always be careful when handling fire, and ensure an adult is present when performing this experiment.
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How long should you wait before relighting?
It is important to wait for your candle to cool completely before relighting it. This can take around two hours. In the meantime, you can trim the wick to 1/8 of an inch, which will help your candle burn more efficiently.
Candles should not be burned continuously for longer than four hours. If you burn a candle for too long, carbon can collect on the wick, making it unstable and potentially causing a dangerously large flame.
The first time you light a new candle, it is important to let it burn until the top layer of wax has melted to the edges of the vessel. This will help to prevent the formation of a ''memory ring', which can cause tunnelling.
To maximise the life of your candle, you should also avoid burning the last half inch of wax. This will protect the candle container from heat damage.
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Why does wax vapour smell stronger than burned vapour?
When a candle is lit, the heat melts the wax around the wick, which is then sucked into the wick and vaporized. This vaporized wax then mixes with oxygen in the air and burns. However, when a candle is blown out, the residual heat from the wick continues to vaporize the wax, creating a trail of wax vapour. This vapour, when ignited, produces a stronger smell than the burned vapour.
The reason for this stronger smell lies in the fact that the vapour is not undergoing combustion. When a candle burns, the wax vapour is oxidized, resulting in a flame. This process can alter the odour molecules present in the vapour, reducing the intensity of the scent. In contrast, the wax vapour that is produced when a candle is blown out does not undergo combustion, preserving the original odour molecules and resulting in a stronger scent.
Additionally, the absence of a flame allows the vapour to disperse more effectively. Without the heat and energy of a flame, the vapour can spread out and dissipate more rapidly, carrying the odour molecules with it. This increased dispersion contributes to the perception of a stronger smell, as the odour molecules become more widespread and easily detectable.
The phenomenon of stronger-smelling wax vapour is similar to the concept behind plug-in air fresheners. These devices utilize a heating element to vaporize and disperse odour molecules, relying on the absence of combustion to maintain the integrity of the scent. By avoiding the ignition of the vapour, these devices, like the unlit wax vapour, can produce a more concentrated and noticeable aroma.
Furthermore, the quality of the wax and the presence of additional fragrance compounds can influence the intensity of the smell. Wax naturally contains higher concentrations of active components, which may contribute to its more potent odour. Additionally, scented candles with essential oils or fragrance mixtures can enhance the overall strength and duration of the scent, making it seem more pronounced when compared to the burned vapour.
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How long should you keep a candle burning?
The ideal duration for burning a candle is influenced by several factors, including safety, fragrance, and the prevention of wax tunnelling.
Firstly, it is crucial to prioritize safety when burning a candle. Most sources recommend that candles should not burn for longer than four hours without interruption. This precaution is due to the risk of carbon buildup on the wick, which can lead to an unstable flame and excessive smoke and soot. To avoid this issue, it is advisable to trim the wick before lighting the candle and ensure it is free of debris, as this can add fuel and cause the flame to flare up or start a small fire. Additionally, it is important to keep the candle away from flammable objects and moving air, such as open windows or fans, to prevent accidents.
Secondly, the duration of burning affects the fragrance of the candle. Scented candles typically have a lifespan of six to twelve months, depending on the fragrance. Burning a candle for an extended period can cause the outermost layer to lose its scent, but the fragrance remains intact underneath. To enhance the fragrance, it is recommended to store the candle with a lid in a cool, dark, and dry place, keeping it clean of dust and debris.
Lastly, the duration of burning impacts wax tunnelling. If a candle is not allowed to burn long enough for the wax to liquefy and melt from edge to edge, it will create a "memory ring." As a result, the candle will continue to tunnel, causing the wick to sink deeper into the wax and making it increasingly difficult to light. To prevent this issue, it is recommended to burn the candle for at least two hours or until the top layer of wax melts completely to the edges of the vessel.
In conclusion, the ideal duration for burning a candle depends on various factors. For safety, it is recommended to burn a candle for no longer than four uninterrupted hours. To maximize fragrance and prevent wax tunnelling, burning for at least two hours or until the top layer of wax has completely liquefied is advisable. By following these guidelines, individuals can ensure a safe, fragrant, and efficient candle-burning experience.
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Frequently asked questions
If you keep relighting a candle without trimming the wick, it can lead to the formation of a mushroom-like shape that can dull and obscure the flame. This can also lead to dripping, flaring, and uneven burning.
If you keep relighting a candle without waiting for the smoke trail to clear, you may find that the smoke ignites and spreads rapidly. This is known as a "smoke explosion" or "flashover".
If you keep relighting a candle without letting the wax melt completely, a memory ring can be created. This will cause the candle to tunnel for the rest of its life, shortening its service life and wasting wax.
If you keep relighting a candle without letting it cool down for at least two hours, carbon can collect on the wick, making it unstable. This can lead to a dangerously large flame, smoke, and soot.
If you keep relighting a candle by touching the flame to the smoke instead of the wick, it will continue to burn as long as there is fuel in the wick. The wax will vaporize and burn up, keeping the candle burning for hours.
