Some candle tips for pleasant burning of your candles ...
When lighting a candle for the first time,
allow the candle to burn long enough to create
a maximum melt pool where the wax has melted
close to the edge. The first burn session melt
pool size is important, especially with pillar
candles as subsequent burns may only reach out
as far as the initial melt pool causing the candle
to tunnel.
On larger diameter container candles, if you burn
for four hours on the first session and it has not
fully melted to the edge, do not be alarmed, it
should catch up on subsequent burns. Container
candles are a bit different in that the walls of
the container heat up and assist in melting the wax.
Smaller candles may only require a couple of hours
to achieve a full melt pool.
Trim wicks to about a quarter of an inch between burns.
Wicks can occasionally become clogged with
residue from burning. This will cause the
candle to not burn properly. One way to solve
this is to trim the wick or use a metal pick, such
as a poultry lacer, running it up alongside
the wick a few times, loosening any debris.
Occasionally, a "mushroom" can form at
the tip of the wick. A fork can also be used to
remove any "mushrooming" or carbon debris
by quickly moving the fork in an upward direction
over the wick so the tines catch the debris without
putting out the candle. It's important to not
allow wick trimmings to accumulate within the candle.
Mushroom on wick
For better indoor air quality, snuff your candles out
rather than blowing them out, either by using a candle
snuffer or you can also use a fork that you are no longer
using as dinnerware. To use a fork, place the base of
the wick between two tines until the candle goes out.
Another option for extinguishing your candle is to dip the wick.
Even with using a candle snuffer, a wick can sometimes continue
to smolder, which causes it to smoke. You can use a wick dipping
tool to do this, or you can use a metal poultry lacer. It is
simply a matter of using the tool to momentarily turn the wick
downward into the melted wax and doing so will extinguish the wick
with very little smoke.
Avoid placing candles in the way of drafts to
prevent rapid and uneven burning. This also will
prevent the wick from smoking.
Do not place candles on or under anything that
puts out heat, such as an oven or hot lights.
When clipping wicks, always use wick clippers
or sharp scissors to trim to one-quarter inch
or so. Do not break off the wick with your
fingers, as if too much breaks away, then your
wick will be too short and your candle will
not be able to burn properly.
If burning multiple pillar candles, be sure to
place them a few inches apart from one another
to keep them from melting one another, which can
cause uneven burning or melt the sides of the candles.
Candle Safety
Safe practices when burning candles aren't an option ... they're a must!
It's important to use good judgment when
burning candles and all necessary safety
precautions should always be taken.
Although some of the safety tips may be
obvious, there could be some things you
haven't thought of ... and you can never
be too careful!
Here are just a few of the many precautions
that should be taken whenever maintaining
a lit candle.
Never leave a burning candle unattended
for any reason.
Keep lit candles out of reach from children.
Keep lit candles out of reach from pets ...
this includes areas where your pet may accidentally
tip a candle over (either with tail, paw, toys, etc.)
Always keep lit candles at least a foot and
a half away from any curtains, fabric, tie-backs,
or any fabric that could catch fire.
Be careful not to place a lit candle near anything
that is flammable or combustible. This includes
placing a lit candle on a bookshelf or end-table
where there may be a wooden shelf above the candle.
Also be cautious of hanging baskets, dried floral
decorations, etc.
If placing a candle on a tablecloth, make sure that
it is on a fire-resistant plate and place the candle
near the center of the table so there is no chance
of a long, draping tablecloth being blown or tossed
up into the candle. Use extreme caution with paper
party tablecloths! Also, for this reason, avoid
using candles at outdoor parties where a breeze
may blow paper decorations or table covers into a candle.
Keep burning candles on a heat-resistant surface
that is stable ... fold-out tables which can easily
be kicked or knocked over are not safe options.
If your surface is made of wood, place your candle
on a glass, ceramic, or metal plate or candle holder.
Do not use cloth or paper doilies directly under a lit candle ...
place the candle on a glass or ceramic plate,
then you may place the plate on a doily.
When using tall candle holders for tapers,
place in a secluded area where they will not
be toppled over.
Select placement of your candles during gatherings
carefully. Be especially aware of placement where
guest activity is most abundant. Avoid placing candles
in entry ways or near coat rooms where frequent drafts
or heavy foot traffic are most likely. Also, avoid placing
candles on low end-tables or in places where flowing
garments of passers-by may come in contact with a
burning candle.
Never walk with a burning candle, just in case you
should trip or fall.
After extinguishing a candle, stay to make sure it is
completely out and that the wick ember is no long
glowing before leaving the room.
Do not use a candle to check for natural gas leaks or
to look into a clothes closet for any reason.
Keep all ribbons, decorative toppers, and other
fabrics away from a burning candle.
Never extinguish a candle with water, as it will cause the wax to splatter.
Although some candles are made with longer wick tabs,
which self-extinguish when the candle has burned down
near the bottom, it's a safe practice to consider the
candle expired when there is about a half inch of wax
left in the bottom. The reason for this is because some
fragrance oils tend to sink a little throughout the life
of the candle, so the amount of fragrance oil can
accumulate toward the bottom of the container ... if the
small amount of wax that's left gets too hot, this
can become a hazard.
It's important to always use common sense when burning candles!
Source of safety symbols:
https://candles.org/fire-safety-candles/read-the-label/