How to CORRECTLY Burn a Candle

Quick and easy tips for proper candle burning from a candle Manufacturer

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Quick and easy tips for proper candle burning from a candle Manufacturer
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Candle Manufacturing

How to CORRECTLY Burn a Candle

November 11, 2022
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Lynette Reed
/
Candle Manufacturing

HOW TO CORRECTLY BURN A CANDLE


Seems simple enough, right? 

Just light the wick and enjoy! 

Well, yes and no. Getting the most out of a candle as far as burn time, optimal fragrance throw, and safety takes a little candle know-how. But, it is essential to know as a candle consumer. Still, suppose you are a candle brand or retailer. In that case, you will want to educate your customers on properly burning a candle. You want them to have the best possible experience with your candles and keep coming back for more!


The first burn is the most important.

First, always trim your wick to ¼”; this is on the first burn and every following burn (and never leave any debris in the candle). On the first burn, you will want to make sure to burn until you have a full melt pool. The melt pool is the liquid melted wax, and you want to ensure that it is liquid across the entire top of the candle before putting it out. If you do not do this, it will create a “memory ring,” Once a candle has a memory ring, it will continue to tunnel for the remainder of the candle life. 

The amount of burn time varies depending on the diameter of the candle and the formulation of wax type, fragrance, and wick. But the basic rule of thumb is one hour for every inch in diameter. So basically, a standard 8oz candle with a 3” diameter would take about 3 hours for a full melt pool. Don’t let the melt pool get deeper than ¼”.


Always trim the wick. 

Every time you re-light the candle, trim the wick to ¼” and remove the debris from the candle. Debris left in the candle is more fuel than a candle was designed to handle and could cause an unexpected flare-up or fire. Also, leaving a wick that has a bloom from a previous burn (the bloom is the black carbon build-up at the top of the wick) can cause soot and smoking. 

A wick left too long can fall over and cause an uneven burn, smoking, or worse yet, if it falls into the sides of the glass can cause the glass to crack or even shatter.


Do not burn the candle in any draft or moving air. 

For optimum performance, don’t burn in a draft. This could be an open window or fans, air conditioners, or anything that disturbs the air movement in the room. Moving air can cause the flame to flicker and smoke, leaving soot marks in your candle vessel.


Always follow safety instructions and common sense when burning a candle.  

The above tips will help a candle perform optimally and give your candle the most extended life. But on a more serious note, a lit candle is fire. Never burn near anything flammable, keep out of reach of children and pets, and never fall asleep with a candle burning. Never burn longer than manufacturer guidelines, always burn within sight, never move a burning candle and never extinguish with water.

Thank you!

Lynette Reed

Lynette@modern-candle.com