Ben Carter
Blowing out a candle may seem simple, but there are many different ways to do it, and the method you choose can affect the life of the candle and the fragrance it emits. Some people prefer to blow out their candles, but this can cause issues like tunneling, unevenness, and smoke, which can reduce the effect of the candle's scent. To avoid these issues, some people use a wick dipper, a candle snuffer, or the lid to extinguish the flame. These methods can help to preserve the quality of the candle wax and fragrance and create a cleaner, more efficient burn.
Characteristics of the proper way to blow out a candle
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use of breath | Blowing out a candle can cause smoke, which can disrupt the scent of the candle. It can also cause tunneling, unevenness, and a sooty mess. |
| Use of tools | Wick dippers, candle snuffers, and lids are tools that can be used to extinguish a candle. |
| Candle type | Vessel-less candles, birthday candles, and tapers can be blown out. |
| Candle material | The candle wick should be made of cotton or paper to avoid advancing indoor air pollutants. |
| Candle temperature | Allow the candle to burn until the wax has melted all the way across the top to prevent tunneling. |
| Candle care | Putting out a candle carefully can add hours of life to a candle and preserve its original fragrance. |
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What You'll Learn
Using a wick dipper
Blowing out a candle is not always the best method, as it can cause hot wax and sparks to scatter, creating a fire hazard. It can also create smoke and soot, affecting the candle's appearance and fragrance. This is where wick dippers come in.
Wick dippers are slender instruments designed to submerge a burning candle's wick into a pool of molten wax. They are usually made of metal or ceramic and have a long handle so that you can reach the bottom of the candle jar. The use of a wick dipper is simple: hold it over the flame for a few seconds to heat up the metal, then touch it to the wick and dip. This will instantly put out your candle with very little smoke.
After using the wick dipper, check the height of the wick. If it's too low, gently adjust it to around a quarter of an inch before relighting to prevent excessive smoking. If you've trimmed the wick after using the dipper, make sure to dispose of the trimmed portion properly to prevent any fire hazards. Over time, wick dippers can accumulate residual wax, so occasional polishing with a metal cleaner or a little olive oil can help to restore their shine and keep them looking like new.
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Using a candle snuffer
- Pay attention to how you hold the snuffer over the candle. Hold it too low, and you might accidentally dip it into the wax.
- If you do get wax on your snuffer, you can clean it by soaking the bell-shaped portion in boiling water. Gently chip away at any leftover wax and wipe it dry with a clean towel.
- Be patient when extinguishing the flame. It may take a few seconds for the lack of oxygen to put the flame out.
- Use the snuffer in conjunction with a wick dipper. After extinguishing the flame with the snuffer, use the wick dipper to press the wick into the wax. This will make it easier to relight the candle next time and will help to preserve the fragrance.
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Blowing it out
Blowing out a candle is a simple task, but there are a few things to keep in mind to do it properly and avoid common pitfalls. Firstly, it is important to wait until the entire surface of the candle has melted before blowing it out. This is to prevent ""tunneling", where the candle will only melt up to a certain point in future burns, leaving a coating of unusable wax along the inside of the vessel.
When you are ready to blow out the candle, position your face a few inches away from the flame, with the wick at mouth level. Purse your lips together and blow a thin stream of air to extinguish the flame in one quick gust. Be careful not to blow too forcefully, as this can cause hot wax to spray and create a mess or even cause minor burns. Stand clear of the smoke to prevent it from depositing soot on your skin or clothes.
While blowing out a candle is a common method, it does have some drawbacks. Blowing can cause issues with the wax, such as unevenness and tunneling, and it can also emit a lot of smoke. This smoke can reduce the fragrance of the candle and leave an unpleasant after-scent. Additionally, the hot air from blowing can cause the wax to melt unevenly, affecting the appearance of the candle. Therefore, it is recommended to use alternative methods such as a wick dipper or a candle snuffer to preserve the quality of the candle's wax and fragrance.
Using a wick dipper involves pressing the wick down into the melted wax to eliminate oxygen and immediately extinguish the flame with little to no smoke. This method also helps prepare the wick for future use. Candle snuffers, on the other hand, are small bell-shaped tools that are placed over the wick to deprive the flame of oxygen and gradually stifle it. This method also produces minimal smoke and soot. Both wick dippers and candle snuffers are inexpensive and easily available, making them a preferred choice over blowing out candles for those who prioritize the condition and fragrance of their candles.
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Putting a lid on it
Putting a lid on a candle is a method to extinguish the flame, but it is not recommended. While it can reduce smoke and preserve the candle's fragrance, it can also cause the candle to become sooty and smell burnt. The lid can also get stuck due to suction. If you do use this method, slowly place the lid over the candle jar, leaving a small gap for the heat to escape. Once the flame has died down, close the lid completely.
There are several other effective and safe ways to extinguish a candle. One way is to use a wick dipper, which is a simple tool that allows you to put out a candle without any smoke or wax splatter. Another popular tool is a candle snuffer, which is especially useful for candles in deep containers. You can also blow out the candles individually or use a hair dryer to extinguish the flames.
If you are dealing with birthday candles on a cake, there are some creative ways to avoid spreading germs. One method is to stick the candles to the clear plastic cover on a store-bought cake using melted wax or glue. Then, when you blow out the candles, the cover will protect the cake from bad breath and stray spit. Another idea is to use a hair dryer to extinguish the flames or to fan them out with a plate. Alternatively, you can serve cupcakes or cake slices and only put candles on the one meant for the birthday person.
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Dipping the wick in wax
To use a wick dipper, you must first allow the candle to burn until a pool of wax forms around the wick. Then, hold the handle of the wick dipper and angle the curved end towards the wick, gently pressing it into the pool of wax until the flame goes out. After extinguishing the flame, the wick can be straightened and coated with a fresh layer of wax, which will help it burn more evenly the next time it is lit. This process is known as "dipping the wick" and can also be done using other household items such as tweezers, a knife, or a popsicle stick, although caution should be exercised if using flammable objects.
Using a wick dipper offers several benefits over traditional methods like blowing. It eliminates the cloud of smoke and soot that can tarnish indoor air quality and leave residue on nearby surfaces. It also prevents the wick from "mushrooming" or developing a carbon buildup at the tip, which can lead to uneven burning and dripping. By coating the wick with wax, the dipper helps to prime it for the next burn, ensuring a cleaner and slower burn that increases the lifespan of the candle.
Wick dippers are not only functional but can also be decorative, adding a touch of elegance to candlelit spaces. They are available in various designs and materials, including antique, silver, and brass styles, prized by collectors and candle connoisseurs. While they may be more expensive, wick dippers offer a safe, efficient, and traditional way to extinguish candles, reducing mess and maintaining the integrity of the wick for future use.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to blow out a candle without causing a mess or damaging the candle. One way is to use a wick dipper to bend the wick into the wax, extinguishing the flame without any smoke. Another way is to use a candle snuffer, which has a long handle and a bell-shaped end that deprives the flame of oxygen. You can also use the lid of the candle to suffocate the flame, but be careful not to let the smoke get trapped inside. Finally, you can blow out the candle, but this may cause issues with the wax and emit a lot of smoke.
Blowing out a candle can cause tunneling, where the candle only melts to a certain point and leaves a coating of unusable wax. It can also push the wax to the side of the container and create unevenness. Additionally, blowing out a candle can emit a lot of smoke, which can reduce the fragrance of the candle and leave an unpleasant after-scent.
Using a wick dipper to extinguish a candle is a quick, simple, and effective method that produces little to no smoke. It also helps to improve the condition of the wicks for future burns by coating them with a new layer of wax, making them easier to relight.
A candle snuffer is a safe and inexpensive tool that puts out candles quickly without producing lingering smoke. It protects the wax from being blown astray and preserves the quality of the candle wax and fragrance.
