The Art Of Candle Burning: How to Get The Most From Your Favorite Scented Candle

The Art Of Candle Burning

Lighting a candle may seem like the simplest thing in the world - strike a match, light the wick and enjoy the ambiance. But if you've ever had a candle that burned unevenly, produced black smoke, or left a pesky ring of wax around the edge, you know there's a bit of science and skill to burning a candle the right way. Let's explore how to burn candles properly while shedding light (pun intended) on key terms like "liquid pool" and "tunneling."

Step One: The First Burn Is Everything

When you first light a new candle, resist the urge to blow it out after a few minutes. The first burn sets the tone for the candle's entire life! This is because of the liquid pool - the melted wax that forms around the wick while the candle burns.

• Before lighting your candle, trim the wick to about 1/4 inch. This short length keeps the flame manageable and reduces soot production. If the wick is too long, the flamecan flicker and produce smoke - a sign of an inefficient burn. (Making wick trimming part of your candle care routine will ultimately help enhance its burn quality.)

  
  

• After lighting, let your candle melt evenly across the entire surface of the wax before extinguishing it. This usually takes 1 - 4 hours, depending on the size of the candle.

  
  

• Why? Wax has a "memory." If you don't let the liquid pool to reach the edges of the container, the wax will burn down in the same pattern durning future burns, leading to dreaded tunneling.

What Is Tunneling?

Tunneling happens when the wax burns straight down the center, leaving a stubborn ring of unused wax around the edges. Not only is it wasteful, but it also prevents your candle from looking as pretty as it could. The fix? Prevent tunneling from the start by following the first - burn rule.

Step Two: Trim The Wick

One of the easiest ways to ensure a clean and even burn is to trim your candle wick before (or after) each use. The ideal wick length is about 1/4 inch.

Why Trim The Wick?

• A long wick can cause sooting (that unsightly black smoke or residue).

• It can also result in a flame that's too large, which burns through your candle faster than necessary.

• Plus, an untrimmed wick often leads to uneven burning.

Pro Tip: Invest in a good - quality wick trimmer. It's a small but mighty tool that will make you feel like a true candle connoisseur.

Step Three: Avoid Drafts

Candles love a calm environment - no breeze, no gusts, no blowing air. Burning a candle in a drafty area can cause the flame to flicker, which not only wastes wax unevenly but can also produce excess smoke.

Keep your candles away from open from open windows, fans, and air vents for the best results.

Step Four: Watch The Burn Time

Burning your candle for too long might seem like a cozy idea, but there's a catch. Candles should be burned for no more than 4 hours at a time.

Here's Why:

• Prolonged burning can cause the wick to "mushroom," leading to excess soot and smoke.

• Overheating the candle container can weaken the glass and, in rare cases, cause cracking.

  
  

• Generally, burn it for one hour for every inch of its diameter. For example, if you have a candle that is 3 inches wide, burning it for about three hours ensures that the entire top layer melts evenly. This method helps maximize the lifespan, allowing you to enjoy the candles full potential.

  
  

If you're hosting a long event or just enjoying a relaxing evening, extinguish your candle after a few hours, let it cool, trim the wick and relight it.

Extinguishing The Candle: No Huffs, Puffs Or Blowing Wishes

When it's time to put out your candle, blowing it out may seem instinctive, but there's a better way:

• Use a snuffer or carefully dip the wick into the melted wax using a wick dipper or a metal tool.

• This prevents smoke and keeps the wick primed for the next burn.

Blowing out the candle can cause wax to splatter or lead to a smoky after scent, which isn't the vibe you're going for.

Candle Care Extras: The Small Things That Make A Big Difference

• Keep the wax clean. If debris like matches or wick trimmings falls into the wax, remove it to ensure an even burn.

• Choose the right size candle for your space. A small candle may not properly scent a large room, while a large candle in a tiny space can be overwhelming.

Whether you're setting the mood for a dinner party or curling up with a book on a rainy day, a perfectly burning candle is the cherry on top of your ambiance sundae.

So light up, breathe deeply, and enjoy every flickering moment. Just remember:

wax has memory, but now so do you!

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