When you first start burning candles, you don't expect to do much more than light a match and enjoy the candlelight. While this is certainly a simplified version, for most of us candle burning is a science and an art. The good news though, is by following some simple candle maintenance rules, the better they will burn and the more they will enrich your candle burning experience. The even better news is that there really isn't that much to do as there are things to be aware of.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & QUERIES:
THE CANDLE IS SMOKING!
Keep your wicks trimmed!! This is essential for a clean, smoke free burn. Many people complain about candles that smoke and this can be eliminated by trimming the wicks to ½ a cm every time you burn the candle (After burning, pinch off the wick before you light it). This is true for all types of candle. Candles will smoke and burn more quickly if you just light them and leave them. They need to be looked after when you burn them, so if the flame is too big, smoking and flickering, trim your wick!!
It is worth remembering that scented candles will smoke more than unscented candles.
THE CANDLE JUST BURNS DOWN THE MIDDLE AND LEAVES LOTS OF WAX ON THE OUTSIDE?
Firstly you must know that a candle has a memory.
If you light a large diameter candle for half an hour you will only get a small melt pool, and the next time you light it the melt pool will only go back as far as it was when it was first lit. You need to measure the diameter of you candle, for example a 3" diameter pillar candle must be burnt for at least 3 hours, this lets the melt pool of wax get to the sides of the candle and so it will burn down properly.
By following these simple tips your candles will last a long time.
THE CANDLE IS BURNING TO ONE SIDE !
Always keep the wick centred (this will stop the candle burning down to one side) and the candle standing straight. As the candle sets when it is being made the wax contracts and can pull the wick out of place - so just poke the wick back into the centre of the candle, and it will burn down evenly.
If the candle burns unevenly due to a draft, carefully push the wick to the higher side of the candle.
Never "blow out" a candle. Blowing will spray the wax and cause the candle to drip over and smoke. The most effective way to extinguish the flame of a candle is to use a matchstick to dip the wick in the melted wax, then lift the wick out of the wax and reposition it.
Always keep the melt pool free of foreign objects, eg., matches, insects etc., as they will act like a wick and catch fire and effect the burning of the candle.
If the flame is too small carefully pour out the excess wax. A fireplace is a good place to pour the wax as the wax will help the wood burn when you light it.
Never leave a burning candle unattended and always keep pets and children well away from burning candles.
Never place burning candles near curtains, or put them on top of your TV.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & QUERIES:
THE CANDLE IS SMOKING!
Keep your wicks trimmed!! This is essential for a clean, smoke free burn. Many people complain about candles that smoke and this can be eliminated by trimming the wicks to ½ a cm every time you burn the candle (After burning, pinch off the wick before you light it). This is true for all types of candle. Candles will smoke and burn more quickly if you just light them and leave them. They need to be looked after when you burn them, so if the flame is too big, smoking and flickering, trim your wick!!
It is worth remembering that scented candles will smoke more than unscented candles.
THE CANDLE JUST BURNS DOWN THE MIDDLE AND LEAVES LOTS OF WAX ON THE OUTSIDE?
Firstly you must know that a candle has a memory.
If you light a large diameter candle for half an hour you will only get a small melt pool, and the next time you light it the melt pool will only go back as far as it was when it was first lit. You need to measure the diameter of you candle, for example a 3" diameter pillar candle must be burnt for at least 3 hours, this lets the melt pool of wax get to the sides of the candle and so it will burn down properly.
By following these simple tips your candles will last a long time.
THE CANDLE IS BURNING TO ONE SIDE !
Always keep the wick centred (this will stop the candle burning down to one side) and the candle standing straight. As the candle sets when it is being made the wax contracts and can pull the wick out of place - so just poke the wick back into the centre of the candle, and it will burn down evenly.
If the candle burns unevenly due to a draft, carefully push the wick to the higher side of the candle.
Never "blow out" a candle. Blowing will spray the wax and cause the candle to drip over and smoke. The most effective way to extinguish the flame of a candle is to use a matchstick to dip the wick in the melted wax, then lift the wick out of the wax and reposition it.
Always keep the melt pool free of foreign objects, eg., matches, insects etc., as they will act like a wick and catch fire and effect the burning of the candle.
If the flame is too small carefully pour out the excess wax. A fireplace is a good place to pour the wax as the wax will help the wood burn when you light it.
Never leave a burning candle unattended and always keep pets and children well away from burning candles.
Never place burning candles near curtains, or put them on top of your TV.