How to Get the Best Out of Your Candles

I don’t know about you, but I love burning candles. There’s just something magical about the soft flicker of the flame and the way the scent transforms a space. With all this love and passion for candles, I never really gave much thought to the science behind them—until I started making my own.

Turns out, there’s a lot more to burning a candle than just lighting the wick and enjoying the vibes. Like, remember when a candle tunnels? I used to think, “Wow, this must be a bad candle,” and move on. Or when soot started pouring out, I’d haphazardly trim the wick with whatever I had handy—usually my fingers (yep, I know…).

Making my own candles gave me a whole new appreciation for the art of burning them. I realized how much wax (and money) I had wasted over the years just by not knowing a few simple tricks. So, I decided to put this guide together—to help you enjoy your candles to the fullest without the mess, frustration, or wasted wax.

Let’s dive in, and I promise, your candles will thank you.

The Best Places to Safely and Effectively Burn Your Candles.

Position your candle in a central location or at the very least, away from walls. This helps the scent disperse evenly throughout the space and protect your walls from soot marks.

Place your candle on a flat, stable surface to prevent it from tipping over and away from vents, fans, or open windows. Drafts can cause uneven burning and excessive smoke.
**Avoid Flammable Items**: Curtains, papers, or even holiday decorations can ignite quickly if they come into contact with your candle’s flame. Keep at least 12 inches of clear space around the candle.

Enhancing Ambiance Through Placement.

Dining Areas: Set candles on the table for a romantic dinner or on a sideboard to create a warm glow without taking up too much space.
Bathrooms: A single candle near the tub or sink can transform your bathroom into a spa-like retreat.
Living Rooms: Cluster candles of different heights on a coffee table or mantel to add visual interest and depth to your decor.

Placement isn’t just practical—it’s an art form. The right spot can amplify the mood you’re trying to create.

2.The First Burn: Setting the Stage for Success.

Melt it all the way to the edge.

On your first burn especially, but ideally every time you light the candle, make sure the wax melts all the way to the edges of the jar. This is essential for creating an even wax pool and that releases the candle’s fragrance more effectively, ensuring you enjoy the scent as intended.

Burn Time Matters: How Long Should You Burn Your Candle?

Planning is key!

Larger candles can take 3–4 hours to create an even wax pool, so it’s best to burn them in the evening or when you know you’ll be home and uninterrupted.
If you’re short on time or burning during the day, opt for a smaller candle to avoid cutting the burn short and risk tunnelling.
**Watch for Overheating:** If the wax pool becomes too deep or the wick starts to lean, it’s time to extinguish the candle and let it cool.

3. The Essential Guide to Wick Trimming: Why It Matters

How a Trimmed Wick Improves Candle Performance.

A well-maintained wick is the key to unlocking your candle’s full potential. Here’s how trimming the wick enhances your candle experience:

Cleaner Burn: A shorter wick minimizes soot, keeping the air in your home cleaner and preventing unsightly black marks on the candle container.
Efficient Burning: When the wick is the correct length, the flame burns at the optimal temperature, ensuring the wax melts evenly and completely.
Longer Candle Life: Excessively long wicks cause the flame to burn too hot, leading to faster wax consumption and a shorter candle lifespan.

If the flame is dancing wildly or producing smoke, the wick is likely too long. Extinguish the candle, let it cool, and trim the wick before relighting.
Soot on the jar or in the air is a sign of an untrimmed or overly long wick. Keep it at 1/4 inch to avoid this.
Always clear away the trimmed wick pieces to prevent them from interfering with the wax or causing a smoky burn.
**Before Each Burn**: Always check the wick before lighting your candle. Use a wick trimmer or a small pair of scissors to cut it to about 1/4 inch.

4. The Best Ways to Extinguish a Candle Without Smoke or Soot

If you want to elevate your candle care routine or avoid the smoky scent that can linger after putting out a flame, here are some tools and techniques to consider:

**Use a Snuffer**
A snuffer is a classic tool designed to gently extinguish the flame by cutting off its oxygen supply. It’s perfect for avoiding smoke and preserving the candle’s scent in your space.
**Try a Wick Dipper**
A wick dipper is another handy tool. Simply use it to dip the burning wick into the melted wax, which puts out the flame instantly. This method prevents smoke and helps prime the wick for the next burn.
**Blow It Out**
Of course, the simplest method is to blow out the candle. Just be prepared for a puff of smoke and a smoky aroma afterward.
Each method has its own charm, but for the cleanest, most enjoyable experience, investing in a snuffer or wick dipper can make all the difference.

5. Troubleshooting Candle Tunneling

When a candle doesn’t melt to the edges, it creates a phenomenon called a memory ring.

The wax will continue to burn within the boundaries of that ring for future burns, leaving unused wax along the sides of the jar. This results in wasted wax and less burn time overall.

**The Aluminum Foil Method**

Wrap a piece of aluminum foil around the top of the candle, leaving an opening at the center for the flame.
Light the candle and let it burn for 1–2 hours.
The heat will build up under the foil, melting the wax edges and evening out the wax pool.

**Candle Warmer Method**

If you can’t relight the candle, place it on a candle warmer to melt the wax fully and evenly without using the flame. This works well for deep, tunneled candles.

**Don’t Have a Candle Warmer? Don’t Worry – The Oven Comes to the Rescue!**
Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to a low temperature — around 170°F (75°C).
If your candle is in a glass container, place the container into a heatproof bowl to avoid any potential breakage.
Carefully place the bowl in the oven for a short amount of time — check after about 5 minutes. The goal is to melt the wax evenly without overheating.
Keep an eye on the process. If you see the wax pooling evenly to the edges, it’s time to remove it. Let it cool completely before lighting again

By understanding these small steps — like ensuring an even wax pool, trimming the wick, or reviving a tunneling candle — you can create a lasting and fulfilling experience, much like the cherished tales that linger long after they've been told.

So, let your candles burn evenly, let your stories flow, and always remember to keep them cared for — because the journey of each candle, like every story, deserves to be savored in its full glory.

Stay tuned for our upcoming blog, where we’ll delve into the Candle Safety inspired by real-life stories, full of wisdom and lessons learned from experience. And if you have more ideas, or perhaps stories of your own candle adventures, we invite you to share them with us. Leave a comment and let your voice be part of our next tale — we can’t wait to hear your stories and continue this journey together.

The Ultimate Candle Burning Guide

How to Get the Best Out of Your Candles

The Best Places to Safely and Effectively Burn Your Candles.

Position your candle in a central location or at the very least, away from walls. This helps the scent disperse evenly throughout the space and protect your walls from soot marks.

Place your candle on a flat, stable surface to prevent it from tipping over and away from vents, fans, or open windows. Drafts can cause uneven burning and excessive smoke.

Avoid Flammable Items: Curtains, papers, or even holiday decorations can ignite quickly if they come into contact with your candle’s flame. Keep at least 12 inches of clear space around the candle.

Enhancing Ambiance Through Placement.

Placement isn’t just practical—it’s an art form. The right spot can amplify the mood you’re trying to create.

2.The First Burn: Setting the Stage for Success.

Melt it all the way to the edge.

On your first burn especially, but ideally every time you light the candle, make sure the wax melts all the way to the edges of the jar. This is essential for creating an even wax pool and that releases the candle’s fragrance more effectively, ensuring you enjoy the scent as intended.

Burn Time Matters: How Long Should You Burn Your Candle?

Planning is key!

Larger candles can take 3–4 hours to create an even wax pool, so it’s best to burn them in the evening or when you know you’ll be home and uninterrupted.

If you’re short on time or burning during the day, opt for a smaller candle to avoid cutting the burn short and risk tunnelling.

Watch for Overheating: If the wax pool becomes too deep or the wick starts to lean, it’s time to extinguish the candle and let it cool.

3. The Essential Guide to Wick Trimming: Why It Matters

How a Trimmed Wick Improves Candle Performance.

A well-maintained wick is the key to unlocking your candle’s full potential. Here’s how trimming the wick enhances your candle experience:

Cleaner Burn: A shorter wick minimizes soot, keeping the air in your home cleaner and preventing unsightly black marks on the candle container.

Efficient Burning: When the wick is the correct length, the flame burns at the optimal temperature, ensuring the wax melts evenly and completely.

Longer Candle Life: Excessively long wicks cause the flame to burn too hot, leading to faster wax consumption and a shorter candle lifespan.

If the flame is dancing wildly or producing smoke, the wick is likely too long. Extinguish the candle, let it cool, and trim the wick before relighting.

Soot on the jar or in the air is a sign of an untrimmed or overly long wick. Keep it at 1/4 inch to avoid this.

Always clear away the trimmed wick pieces to prevent them from interfering with the wax or causing a smoky burn.

Before Each Burn: Always check the wick before lighting your candle. Use a wick trimmer or a small pair of scissors to cut it to about 1/4 inch.

4. The Best Ways to Extinguish a Candle Without Smoke or Soot

If you want to elevate your candle care routine or avoid the smoky scent that can linger after putting out a flame, here are some tools and techniques to consider:

Use a Snuffer

A snuffer is a classic tool designed to gently extinguish the flame by cutting off its oxygen supply. It’s perfect for avoiding smoke and preserving the candle’s scent in your space.

Try a Wick Dipper

A wick dipper is another handy tool. Simply use it to dip the burning wick into the melted wax, which puts out the flame instantly. This method prevents smoke and helps prime the wick for the next burn.

Blow It Out

Of course, the simplest method is to blow out the candle. Just be prepared for a puff of smoke and a smoky aroma afterward.

Each method has its own charm, but for the cleanest, most enjoyable experience, investing in a snuffer or wick dipper can make all the difference.

5. Troubleshooting Candle Tunneling

When a candle doesn’t melt to the edges, it creates a phenomenon called a memory ring.

The wax will continue to burn within the boundaries of that ring for future burns, leaving unused wax along the sides of the jar. This results in wasted wax and less burn time overall.

The Aluminum Foil Method

Wrap a piece of aluminum foil around the top of the candle, leaving an opening at the center for the flame.

Light the candle and let it burn for 1–2 hours.

The heat will build up under the foil, melting the wax edges and evening out the wax pool.

Candle Warmer Method

If you can’t relight the candle, place it on a candle warmer to melt the wax fully and evenly without using the flame. This works well for deep, tunneled candles.

Don’t Have a Candle Warmer? Don’t Worry – The Oven Comes to the Rescue!

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to a low temperature — around 170°F (75°C).

If your candle is in a glass container, place the container into a heatproof bowl to avoid any potential breakage.

Carefully place the bowl in the oven for a short amount of time — check after about 5 minutes. The goal is to melt the wax evenly without overheating.

Keep an eye on the process. If you see the wax pooling evenly to the edges, it’s time to remove it. Let it cool completely before lighting again

By understanding these small steps — like ensuring an even wax pool, trimming the wick, or reviving a tunneling candle — you can create a lasting and fulfilling experience, much like the cherished tales that linger long after they've been told.

So, let your candles burn evenly, let your stories flow, and always remember to keep them cared for — because the journey of each candle, like every story, deserves to be savored in its full glory.