The surface should also be fire resistant.
If you blow out the match, do this away from the candle flame. With short lighters and matches, it’s sometimes necessary to turn the candle sideways to reach the wick. This will cause some flickering and might unevenly melt the wax, leading to an uneven burn.
Flickering flames also leave unattractive smoke stains. These are especially noticeable on glass candle jars. This is also a safety precaution. Even a gentle breeze might blow a piece of paper or a curtain corner directly into the flame. [5] X Research source
Discard all the wick trimmings and make sure there’s no ashy residue left sitting on the wax. Even if there’s not much height to trim off, you should trim the wick before every single use to get the most stable flame and the most even burn.
This might take several hours, depending on the type and size of the candle. A rule of thumb is that it takes about 1 hour per 1 in (2. 5 cm) of the candle’s diameter. [8] X Research source For example, if your candle’s diameter is 4 in (10 cm) you can expect to burn it for 4 hours the first time.
Follow the candle manufacturer’s instructions for maximum burn times. [11] X Research source Some candles can only withstand shorter burns.
For instance, a 3 in (7. 6 cm) diameter candle with 3 wicks will burn longer and more evenly than the same sized candle with only 1 wick. If you discover that the wick is off-center in your 1-wick candle, your chances of an uneven burn are higher. More wicks improve your chances of success.
With less wax left to fuel the flame, a candle can quickly become unstable and hazardous. After properly burning a poured candle, you can often reuse the jar. Place it in the freezer for a couple of hours. Pop out the remaining wax using a butter knife and you’ll be left with a nice new storage container. [14] X Research source
You can keep adding salt after subsequent burn sessions to lengthen the life of the candle.
If you don’t have a candle snuffer, a large metal spoon will do the trick. [17] X Research source If your candle came with a fireproof lid, such as a glass cover, place this over the lit candle and the flame will extinguish itself. Be aware that the lid might end up with some ashy residue though.
This is especially important to avoid with glass candle jars. The hot glass will shatter upon contact with cold water. [19] X Research source
To extend the life of a candle, don’t burn it for more than 1 session every 24 hours. [21] X Research source
Narrow tapers will freeze after just 1 hour. You can place these in the freezer right before you start preparing a dinner party. Large pillars might take up to 8 hours to completely freeze. Pop these in the freezer the night before, or first thing in the morning in preparation for a candlelit evening.
You should only wipe down, wrap up, or store candles once the wax is completely hardened and cool.
Poured and pillar candles, especially large ones, need to burn for several hours to achieve an even layer of melted wax. Don’t light one if you aren’t planning to keep it lit and monitored for a short duration.
If the wick gets covered by the wax, remove the excess. You’ll need at least 1⁄8 in (0. 32 cm) of the wick exposed to get a satisfactory burn. Make sure the candle’s jar is oven-safe before following this process. You can also warm up the wax using a hairdryer on a high heat setting. After about 10 minutes the wax will start to soften up. [26] X Research source
Make sure you monitor your candle while it burns. Just because you can’t see the flame doesn’t mean it’s a potential hazard.
You can do this after warming the candle in the oven, or after a burn session before the wax has completely cooled. Try saving the pieces of wax to warm over a tealight warmer. This way, you’ll still get to enjoy the fragrance and won’t waste any part of the candle. [31] X Research source
You can melt a few drops of wax into the base of the taper holder to help the candle stay in place. But if there’s a fit issue to begin with, you probably won’t get the most even burn from the taper.
As a bonus, you can choose paraffin or beeswax candles which tend to have a slower burn time. The slower the burn, the less opportunity for drippage.
