Brooke Martin
Candles are used in various religious ceremonies and traditions, such as Catholic, Lutheran, Taoist, and Pagan. They are often placed on altars, symbolizing festivity and solemnity, or representing spiritual entities. In some religions, the number and type of candles used, as well as the method of lighting and extinguishing them, are significant. For example, in Catholicism, the number of candles and their placement may vary depending on the type of Mass being celebrated. In Paganism, some believe that blowing out a candle is rude, while others use a snuffer or cover the candle to extinguish it. While a candle going out on an altar may be due to drafts or other external factors, some may interpret it as a spiritual sign or a reminder to give thanks.
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What You'll Learn
The candle may be too short
If your candle keeps going out, it could be because the wick is too short. This can happen if the wick was trimmed too short or if it was not trimmed at all, causing it to curl up and fall into the wax pool. Tunneling can also cause the wick to become too short. This occurs when only a small area of wax around the wick melts, creating a small hole instead of allowing the entire surface of the wax to melt evenly. As the hole gets deeper, melted wax can fill it up and cause the wick to become buried and too short to light.
To fix a candle wick that is too short, you can try the following steps:
- Use a heat gun or blow dryer on high heat to melt the surrounding wax. If the wick was buried because it was tilted, bent, or curled, stop heating the wax once it is soft. If the wick was trimmed too short, keep melting the wax until you have an even layer of liquid wax on the surface.
- Dig out the wick using tweezers or a Q-tip. If the wick was buried, nudge it back to an upright position, ensuring it sticks out above the surface of the wax. Hold it in this position until the wax cools.
- Light the candle again and reset its "memory" by allowing it to evenly melt the entire top layer of wax. This will prevent tunneling from occurring again and ensure the wick does not become too short again.
It is important to note that wick length can also affect the flame size and soot production. To maintain optimal burning conditions, keep the wick length between 1/4 to 1/8 of an inch. Additionally, always ensure your candle has an even melt pool across its surface to prevent tunneling and wick issues.
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The wick could be too thick
If your candle keeps going out on your altar, one of the possible reasons could be that the wick is too thick. A wick that is too thick can cause the candle to burn hotter and get used up faster. This can create safety concerns as the jar can get too hot and there can be excessive soot and smoke. In the case of pillar candles, a thick wick will cause excessive dripping and will require constant trimming as the flame grows too high.
A thick wick can also cause tunneling, where a hole forms down the center of the candle, leaving unused wax at the edges. This happens because the wick is too large for the candle, and it cannot generate enough heat to melt the wax at the edge of the candle. As a result, the wax underneath the flame quickly melts while the surrounding wax remains hard, causing the tunneling to worsen over time. Eventually, the wick will descend deeper into the hardened wax, and the flame will not be able to get enough oxygen to sustain itself, causing the candle to go out.
To prevent tunneling, it is important to burn your candle long enough each time so that the entire top surface of the wax melts. This is especially crucial the first time you burn your candle. As a general rule, you should burn your candle for one hour per inch of its diameter. For example, if your candle has a diameter of 3 inches, you should let it burn for 3 hours before putting it out.
Additionally, the type of wax and fragrance combinations can also affect the performance of a thick wick. Fragrance oils that are not optimized for candle-making can disrupt the quality of fuel feeding the flame and cause it to go out. It is recommended to use fragrances optimized for candles and to experiment with different wick sizes to find the right match for your wax and fragrance combination.
By addressing these issues, you can improve the performance of your candle and prevent it from going out due to a thick wick.
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Draughts can cause a candle to go out
A candle's flame requires three essential ingredients, known as the fire triangle: fuel, oxygen, and heat. If any of these elements are missing or if the balance is disrupted, the flame will go out. Draughts are pockets of moving air that can blow out a candle flame or cause it to flicker. This can be caused by anything from an open window or door to a ceiling fan or air conditioning unit. Even a small amount of air movement can affect a candle flame.
When a candle flame is exposed to a draught, the flame can flicker and become unsteady. This can cause the candle to burn unevenly and may result in the flame being extinguished. If the candle is relit after being blown out, the wick can become too long and create a larger, more unstable flame. This can be dangerous, as it can lead to a build-up of soot and an uneven burn.
To prevent this from happening, it is important to keep candles away from draughts, vents, or air currents. This will help to ensure that the candle burns safely and evenly. It is also important to follow other safety tips when burning candles, such as never leaving a burning candle unattended, keeping candles out of the reach of children and pets, and using a candle holder that is sturdy and heat-resistant.
In addition, it is important to regularly trim the wick to the appropriate length to ensure a stable flame. This will help to prevent the wick from becoming too long and creating an unstable flame. By taking these precautions, you can enjoy your candles safely and reduce the risk of the flame going out due to draughts.
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The wax could be flooding the wick
If your candle keeps going out, it could be due to a phenomenon known as "candle tunneling". This occurs when a hole forms down the centre of the candle, leaving unused wax at the edges. Candle tunneling can be caused by various factors, one of which is the size of the wick in relation to the candle. If the wick is too small, it might not generate enough heat to melt the wax at the edge of the candle. As a result, the wick can become buried in wax, causing the candle to go out.
To prevent this issue, ensure that you are using the correct size of wick for your candle. It is recommended to burn your candle for one hour per inch of its diameter to prevent tunneling. For example, if your candle has a diameter of 3 inches, let it burn for 3 hours before putting it out. This ensures that the entire top surface of the wax melts, maintaining a consistent distance between the wax and the wick.
If your wick is already buried in wax, there are several solutions you can try. One method is to use a heat gun, blow dryer, or long wand candle lighter to melt the surrounding wax. Once the wax is soft, use tweezers or a Q-tip to nudge the wick back into an upright position, ensuring it sticks out above the surface of the wax. Hold it in place until the wax cools and hardens again.
Alternatively, you can try pouring out some of the melted wax to expose the wick. This can be done by lighting the candle and gently pouring out the melted wax as it accumulates, being careful not to spill. Another option is to place the candle in the freezer until the wax solidifies, then pop it out and expose the wick.
If your wick has completely melted into the wax, you may need to replace it. Heat the candle slowly until all the wax is liquid, then remove the old wick and insert a new one. You can also melt the wax and add a new wick without needing to replace the entire candle.
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In some religions, it is considered rude to blow out altar candles
In Paganism, some believe that blowing out altar candles is rude because it can symbolise the end of a ritual or the extinguishing of a soul. It is also thought that blowing out a candle can blow the energy or spirit away, while snuffing it means "save for later". Some Wiccans and witches believe that candles should be extinguished by blowing them out, especially if they are used for spells that do not conclude in a single session. However, others argue that blowing out a candle with one's breath is disrespectful to the element of Fire.
In Hinduism and Buddhism, it is believed that breath is impure, so it is customary to wave, snip, or snuff out the candle instead of blowing it out.
Additionally, some practical considerations may influence the decision to blow out or snuff a candle. For example, blowing out a candle can disperse molten wax, creating a mess and potentially leaving traces of the candle-burning activity. Snuffing a candle requires an extra tool and carries a risk of burning one's fingers if done incorrectly.
Ultimately, the decision to blow out or snuff altar candles depends on personal preference and the specific religious or spiritual tradition being followed. Some people may choose to blow out candles out of convenience or because they do not believe it is disrespectful, while others may opt for snuffing or pinching out the flame to avoid offending any deities or spirits they believe in.
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Frequently asked questions
There could be several reasons for this. Firstly, check if there is a draught in the room. A draught can destabilise the flame and cause it to extinguish. Try moving the candle to a place free of air movement, such as away from a window.
Yes, the wick might be too short, or there could be too much wax in the pot. Try trimming the wick to around 3-5mm and ensure any excess wax is removed.
Some believe that a candle blown out is a soul extinguished, but this is not a universally held belief. In some traditions, it is considered rude to blow out a candle, and you should instead use a snuffer or snip the wick.
