Brooke Martin
Putting out a candle by suffocating it is a popular method, but it has its drawbacks. The carbon dioxide produced by the flame rises and extinguishes the candle, but this can also cause a puff of smoke when the lid is removed. This can be undesirable, especially for scented candles. The best method for putting out a candle is to use a wick dipper or snuffer, which minimises smoke and prevents debris from falling into the wax.
Characteristics and Values Table for Soffocating a Candle
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smoke | A puff of stinky smoke is released when the lid is taken off |
| Scent | The candle's scent is harmed |
| Appearance | The candle's appearance is harmed |
| Oxygen | The candle is extinguished when it consumes all the oxygen |
| Carbon Dioxide | The candle produces carbon dioxide, which rises to the top and suffocates the flame |
| Heat | The carbon dioxide is heated by the flame |
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What You'll Learn
- Candle height affects oxygen consumption and thus the speed of extinguishment
- Using a lid to suffocate a candle may harm its appearance and scent
- The wick dipper method minimises smoke and soot production
- Burning a candle for too long can cause the wick to mushroom
- Proper candle storage helps protect the wax and fragrance
Candle height affects oxygen consumption and thus the speed of extinguishment
To demonstrate this, light two candles of different heights and cover them with a glass cylinder. The taller candle will go out first, followed by the shorter one. This is because the carbon dioxide produced by the candles is heated by the flame, causing it to expand and accumulate at the top of the glass. The top candle experiences an oxygen deficit first, followed by the bottom one.
The rate at which a candle consumes oxygen depends on various factors, including the type of wax, the size of the flame, and the airflow in the room. For example, a typical candle flame with a cross-section of 1.5 cm2 and a vertical wind speed of 1 m/s can process about a quarter of the air in an average-sized room (22.5 m3) in an 8-hour span. This means that a single candle can burn about 2% of the oxygen in the room during this time.
Additionally, the chemical composition of candle wax plays a role in oxygen consumption. Candle wax is mostly composed of carbon and hydrogen, with the carbon being converted to carbon dioxide and the hydrogen to water vapor during combustion. The specific molecular formula of the wax also affects the burn rate and oxygen consumption. For example, paraffin wax with an average carbon chain length of 30 has a burn rate of about 15 minutes per gram, resulting in the consumption of 91 moles of oxygen for every 2 moles of wax burned.
Understanding the science behind candle extinguishment and oxygen consumption can provide valuable insights into fire behavior and safety precautions. It also highlights the complex interplay between chemistry and physics, such as the role of temperature and pressure in the rising of water levels during the burning candle experiment.
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Using a lid to suffocate a candle may harm its appearance and scent
A candle flame is essentially a continuous combustion reaction between oxygen and hydrocarbons (wax) to form water vapour, carbon dioxide, and heat. When you remove oxygen from the equation by putting a lid on the candle jar, the reaction stops and the flame extinguishes. While this method of suffocating a candle may be oddly satisfying to watch, it may not be the best way to put out your candle, especially if you care about its appearance and scent.
Firstly, the smoke released when you lift the lid off can be quite stinky, which is especially undesirable if you were burning a scented candle to make your room smell nice. Secondly, the glass lid could crack due to the heat of the flame.
There are alternative ways to extinguish a candle that will keep your candles looking beautiful and lasting longer. For example, using a snuffer or wick dipper to prevent debris from falling into the wax pool. Like putting a lid over your candle, the snuffer cuts off the supply of oxygen to the flame, extinguishing it. However, it produces slightly more smoke than the wick dipper method, which you'll see wafting out as you lift the candle snuffer back up.
If you are not planning to reuse the candle, you can also try drowning the wick by poking it into its own puddle of wax and then picking it back up before the wax hardens.
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The wick dipper method minimises smoke and soot production
The wick dipper method is an effective way to minimise smoke and soot production when extinguishing a candle. It is a slender instrument designed to submerge a burning candle's wick into a pool of molten wax, gently extinguishing the flame by cutting off the wick's access to oxygen. This prevents the wick from smouldering and emitting excess smoke and soot into the air, maintaining the purity of the air in your space and the cleanliness of your candles.
The traditional method of blowing out a candle can result in a cloud of smoke and soot, as well as hot wax and sparks scattering, posing a potential fire hazard. It can also affect the candle's appearance and fragrance. In contrast, the wick dipper method provides a safe, efficient, and smoke-free way to extinguish a candle. It helps to prevent issues like tunnelling and uneven burning, maximising the lifespan of the candle and ensuring a controlled and even flame.
To use a wick dipper, start by trimming the candle wick to around 1/4 inch before lighting it. This prevents excessive soot and ensures a controlled flame. Allow the candle to burn long enough for the wax to melt and create a pool. Position the wick dipper above the flame, holding it by the handle, and gently push the wick into the melted wax, submerging it completely. Keep the wick submerged for a few seconds until the flame naturally extinguishes. Slowly lift the wick dipper and release the wick.
The wick dipper itself can be made of stainless steel, brass, or other non-reactive metals, ensuring durability and ease of cleaning. It is important to properly maintain your wick dipper by removing any wax residue and submerging it in warm soapy water to keep it clean and ready for use. The wick dipper method not only minimises smoke and soot production but also adds a unique flair to your candle rituals, making it a recommended accessory for any candle user.
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Burning a candle for too long can cause the wick to mushroom
Burning a candle involves a chemical process called combustion, in which complex molecules break down into smaller, more stable molecules by rearranging the bonds between atoms. The heat produced by this process melts the wax into a liquid, which then fuels the flame. The candle wick acts as a pump, drawing the liquid wax up to the flame. However, burning a candle for too long can cause the wick to mushroom due to carbon buildup.
The "mushroom" shape that sometimes forms at the end of a candle wick is a result of the flame consuming more fuel (wax, fragrance, and dye) than it can burn. This occurs when there is an imbalance between the amount of wax and the size of the wick. The wick does not bend, and its tip does not reach the outside of the flame, where the temperature is highest and carbon is burned completely. As a result, carbon particles accumulate on the wick, causing it to mushroom.
To prevent wick mushrooming, it is important to ensure a proper balance between the wick size and the amount of wax. A wick that is too thick for the candle will lead to mushrooming. It is recommended to use a smaller wick gauge and reduce the amount of scent and dye added to the candle. Trimming the wick to a certain length before lighting the candle can also help prevent mushrooming and prolong the life of the candle.
Additionally, it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions and general candle safety guidelines. Candles should not be burned for longer than four hours at a time and should be allowed to cool for at least two hours before relighting. They should be kept away from moving air, such as fans, open windows, or crowded areas, as this can disturb the flame and cause soot. Proper storage in a cool, dark, and dry place with the lid on can also help protect the wax and fragrance.
It is worth noting that while some smoke is normal when burning a candle, excessive smoke may indicate the need to adjust the wick size or improve the burning process. A well-made candle should not produce excessive amounts of visible smoke. By following these tips, you can help prevent wick mushrooming and ensure a safer and more enjoyable candle-burning experience.
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Proper candle storage helps protect the wax and fragrance
Candles are a great way to create a cosy atmosphere, but they need to be handled and stored properly. One way to extinguish a candle is to suffocate it by depriving it of oxygen. This can be done by covering it with a glass, jar, or lid. However, this method may result in a puff of stinky smoke when you finally uncover the candle, which is especially unpleasant if you were burning a scented candle.
Now, proper candle storage is essential to maintaining the quality and prolonging the shelf life of your candles, especially scented ones. Candles are sensitive to heat, and exposure to heat sources like radiators, ovens, appliances, and direct sunlight will cause the wax to soften or melt, warping its shape and causing it to lose scent strength. Therefore, it is important to store your candles in a cool, dry, and dark location, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. If you live in a hot or humid environment, avoid storing your candles outdoors.
Additionally, moisture can damage candle wax and weaken its scent, so it is crucial to keep your candles in a dry place. The sun's UV rays can also fade the colours of your candles over time, so it is best to avoid storing them in direct sunlight or under lamps. To preserve the scent, you can cover your candles with a lid or glass cloche when they are not in use.
When storing your candles, it is recommended to use large, plastic containers with lids. These containers are waterproof and keep foreign contaminants away. If you have multiple scented candles, consider organising them by scent type (e.g. floral, fruity, spicy) to make it easier to find the scent you want and prevent scent contamination. For pillar candles that do not come in containers, wrap them securely in tissue paper to protect the wax and create a barrier between each candle.
Finally, if you have a large collection of candles, it is a good idea to label and date them, including the date of purchase. This helps you use older candles first and ensures you know which scents you have. By following these simple storage tips, you can protect the wax and fragrance of your candles, ensuring they remain in good condition and ready for use whenever you need them.
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Frequently asked questions
The candle will go out due to suffocation, but this method may harm the candle's appearance and scent. It may also produce a puff of stinky smoke when you finally take the lid off.
The best way to put out a candle is to drown the wick by poking it into its own wax pool and then picking it back up before the wax hardens.
Other ways to put out a candle include using a wick dipper, snuffer, or wood matches.
Burning a candle for too long will cause carbon to collect on the wick, leading it to "mushroom". The wick will then become unstable and produce a dangerously large flame.
Store candles in a cool, dark, and dry place with the lid on to keep them clean and protect their fragrance.
