How to Burn a Candle Correctly

Most people don’t know there is a right way of burning a candle.

These guidelines will ensure that you get the most out of your candles with no wasted wax and no scent.

1. Trim the wick Every Single Time

You should trim your wick every time you want to light a candle. You can use scissors, nail trimmers (that’s mine), or our wick trimming tool (coming soon). However, no matter what method you use, trim the wick each time.

Why not every time? Trimmed wicks will provide a cleaner, brighter fire. It is more likely that a wick left untrimmed will take on a weird shape that dims or obscures the flame. Additionally, wicks that are too long can create smoky stains in glass jar candles. However, this is not an issue for our tin candles. Trimming the wick helps to keep the flame in check.

2. Let the wax melt across the entire surface.

Once the candle is lit, do not blow it out until the wax top layer has melted. This could take several hours. If you don’t have the time, don’t light a candle. This is also known to be candle memory.

When you don’t reach full melt, it is called tunneling. The wick begins sinking lower and lower. This is like a tunnel forming in the center of the candle. The tunnel will eventually get so thick that it will become difficult to light. Furthermore, all the unmelted wax along the sides is worth hours of pleasant fragrance and burn time that you didn’t have to use.

It takes patience. However, if you melt the wax across the entire candle surface every time, and keep the sides of your jar (or tin) clean until the candle is gone, it will be easy to maintain a flat candle.

3. Limit the time you burn your candle to 4 hours.

When you leave your candle burning for more than 4 hours, carbon can accumulate on the wick and cause it to become “mush roomy.” This can lead to the wick being unstable, the flame growing too large, and your candle starting to smoke.

4. Buy multi-wick candles

Instinct changed all candles to multi-wicks. If you’re anything like me, you don’t have enough time to make a good burn. You have the answer! The solution? Use two or more candle wicks. Candles with more flames produce more heat, which results in a faster melt. It also emits more fragrance.

Extra-wide candles may only have one wick. Do not purchase a candle that has only one wick or a diameter exceeding 5-6cm. One wick will not provide enough heat to melt the candle, especially if it’s less than 4 hours.

5. Move the air around to keep the flame from moving.

Your burning candle should be kept away from any open windows, fans, or air conditioners. Also, avoid areas with a lot of people walking back and forth. The flame may be affected by air movement, which can cause stains and tunneling.

6. You can use a dip to extinguish your flame.

This is probably the most important step people forget to take.

You may have noticed that a candle can smoke when it’s lit. Sometimes, the candle will even smoke quite a bit. This is because while the core of a candle burns for a few minutes, the inside can turn into carbon (ash), which can make it difficult to light the next day.

Next, there is the smell. It is possible to accidentally blow the wax from the candle.

What do you use to dip a wax wick? Inks sell ‘wick-dippers’ (coming soon). But, you can use anything, from a tweezers to a knife. Then, light the candle by turning off the flame. Next, hold the wick upright and remove the wax.

Visit aussiecandlesupplies.com.au for buying candle making kits. The beginner candle kit will give you the starter basics.