How to Burn Pillar Candles: A Comprehensive Guide

We all love candles, don’t we? The soft glow, the gentle flicker, and the soothing ambiance they create. But as any candle lover, it can be not pleasant when candles don’t burn evenly. In this guide, you will learn how to burn pillar candles properly.

This guide will help you understand how to ensure your candles burn evenly and avoid wasting wax. So, let’s dive in and make the most of our beloved candles!

The Science Behind Candle Burning

Burning a candle is more than just lighting it up. It involves a process known as combustion. In combustion, the flame melts the wax near the wick. This melted wax gets sucked up into the wick. The heat of the flame turns this liquid wax into gas. 

This gas consists of tiny particles of hydrogen and carbon. When these particles mix with the air, they produce heat, light, water vapor (like steam), and a gas called carbon dioxide.

DIY GUIDE: How to Burn a Pillar Candle

Here’s a simplified guide on how to burn a pillar candle.

Getting Ready for the First Light

First, remove all labels from the candle. Trim the wick to about 1/4 inch. It is the ideal length for burning. Place the candle on a saucer-style holder to protect your furniture from wax drips.

Lighting and Burning

You should burn pillar candles for at least 3-4 hours. For every inch of the candle’s diameter, burn for an hour. Ensure that the melted wax almost reaches the candle’s edge.

Adjusting the Candle (Hugging)

After about 3 hours of burning, gently press the soft outer edges of the candle towards the center. This process, known as “hugging,” helps the wax burn evenly and extends the life of your candle.

Putting Out the Candle

When you’re done with your candle for the day, could you not blow it out? Instead, dip the burning wick into the melted wax and straighten it. This method prevents smoke and makes it easier to light the candle next time.

Common Issues in Candle Burning and How to Overcome Them

Burning a candle may seem straightforward, but it can come with challenges that affect its longevity and ambiance. Let’s explore some common candle-burning problems and their solutions.

Tunneling: Causes and Solutions

Tunneling happens when the candle burns down the center, leaving a ring of hard wax around the outside. It is often caused by not allowing the candle to burn long enough during its first use. 

The rule of thumb is to let the candle burn for one hour for each inch in diameter during its initial burn. It allows the wax to melt across the surface, preventing tunneling. If tunneling has already occurred, you can fix it using a heat gun or hairdryer to melt the excess wax.

Smoking: Why It Happens and How to Prevent It

Smoking occurs when the candle wick is too long, or the candle is in a drafty area. To prevent this, always trim your wick to about 1/4 inch before lighting it. Keep your burning candle away from drafts, vents, or strong air currents. If your candle is already smoking, extinguish it, trim the wick, and then relight it.

Dripping: Reasons and Remedies

Candles drip when the wax melts too quickly. It can happen if the candle is in a warm place or near a draft that causes the flame to flicker and heat more of the wax than it can efficiently burn. 

To prevent dripping, keep your candles away from drafts, and don’t burn them near other heat sources. If a candle begins to drip, moving it to a cooler location or away from drafts can help.

How to Extinguish a Candle Safely and Effectively

Extinguishing a candle safely and effectively is just as important as lighting it. When it’s time to put out your candle, avoid blowing it out, as this can cause hot wax to splatter, and the wick may continue to glow and emit smoke. 

Instead, use a candle snuffer or a metal spoon to deprive the flame of oxygen, causing it to extinguish. If you don’t have a snuffer, dip the wick into the melted wax using a non-flammable tool like a chopstick or a pencil. Once the flame is out, straighten the wick for the next use. It will ensure that your candle burns evenly and lasts longer.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the science of combustion and following steps can enhance your candle-burning experience. Preparing, lighting, burning, adjusting, and extinguishing your pillar candles can ensure an even burn and a soothing ambiance. Overcoming common issues like tunneling, smoking, and dripping can further improve the longevity of your candles. Enjoy your candle-burning journey.

FAQs

What happens if I burn a candle for too long?

Overburning a candle can lead to extensive flame, soot production, wax tunneling, and potential heat damage. So, burn the candles for one to four hours to avoid these issues.

How high should a candle flame be?

For small candles, the flame should be 0.5 to 1 inch tall, and for larger ones, up to 2 inches. The flame should be steady and smoke-free. Wick adjustment can help maintain this.

Why do candles turn my walls black?

Candles can blacken walls due to soot production, which happens when the candle wax doesn’t burn completely. The unburnt wax particles form soot that can settle on walls. Factors like the type of wax and wick, the presence of additives, and inconsistent burning can increase soot production.

Can you put out incense and relight it?

Yes, you can extinguish incense and relight it later. Just ensure it’s dry before relighting, and avoid immersing it in water.

How can I fix a tunneled candle?

You can use aluminum foil, apply heat, use an oven, cut away excess wax, or use a wax warmer to fix a tunneled candle.