TIPS ON HOW TO BURN YOUR CANDLE
Do you really need tips on how to burn a candle? Well, you might be surprised! :o) Yes, it can be as easy as lighting the wick... but to get the most out of your candles, there is a science to it, believe it or not!
There are a few very simple things you can do to get the most out of your candles. The more you take care of your candles, the more you'll get back from them in return! I know this is starting to sound like a new puppy, but I promise it isn't that much responsibility!
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Pillar Candles
A quality pillar candle should burn so that it leaves a melt pool that reaches about 1/4" from the edge of the candle. When you first begin to burn a pillar candle, you need to burn it for approximately 1 hour per inch of candle diameter to form a complete melt pool. This means that if your candle is 3" in diameter, it will take approximately 3 hours of continuous burning to get a full melt pool. This will help to prevent your candle from 'tunneling' down and leaving a lot of wasted precious wax!
As the candle burns, you will want to 'hug' your pillar. This basically involves cupping your hands around the outer rim of the candle and gently running your thumbs around the edge of the top of the pillar, pushing in slightly to form a ridge. This helps to completely burn your pillar, evenly and thoroughly, leaving no wasted or unused wax and therefore extending the life of your candle.
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Never blow out the flame on a pillar candle (or any candle, for that matter!), as it can push the wick to one side, making it burn more unevenly and possibly causing your candle to eventually drip. Instead, using a wick dipper or candle snuffer (or some other non-flammable object such as a butter knife), gently press the flame into the melt pool, then lift out of the melt pool before it cools. This will help keep it from smoking as you extinguish it, too! And don't forget, this is also a great time to trim that wick as well!
General Tips For All Candles
If your candle is still smoking even though you have trimmed the wick, check to be sure there are no wick trimmings or other debris in the melt pool. If there are none, then put out the flame, trim the wick a little bit more, allow the candle to cool for a bit and then relight. This should take care of the smoking problem!
Always use a wick dipper or candle snuffer to extinguish the flame from your candles!
A candle flame needs oxygen to 'breathe'. Keep in mind that if you burn candles in a small, enclosed room, they are more likely to smoke! Try burning smaller candles such as tealights or votives in small rooms to help avoid this.
Remember to never lean too close over a burning candle, especially if you're wearing hair spray! Always keep long hair tied back and up out of danger of falling into the flame.
Never leave a burning candle unattended! This is how terrible accidents happen!
Always burn candles in a candle holder or on a heat-resistant surface.
Remember that even if you aren't burning your candle, you should have pillar candles or any other candles inside some sort of container or on a candle plate, because the fragrance oils in the candle wax can damage furniture surfaces!
Never allow wick trimmings or match stubs to remain in the top of a burning candle. They can catch fire and begin to smoke.
Keep burning candles away from drafts. Drafts cause candles to burn unevenly, thereby increasing the chance of smoking or dripping.
Discontinue burning when only 1/2" of wax remains on the bottom of your candle.
Keep candles away from children and pets. Sometimes they smell good enough to eat, and you don't want anyone to be tempted!
NEVER LEAVE A BURNING CANDLE UNATTENDED!! Yes, it's so important we mentioned it twice!
And last but not least, enjoy your quality-made candles!
I hope you found this guide helpful!
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