Tips
for safe candle burning
When
you first start burning candles, you don't expect
to do much more than light a match and enjoy the candlelight.
While this is certainly a simplified version, for
most of us candle burning is a science and an art.
The good news though, is by following some simple
candle maintenance rules, the better they will burn
and the more they will enrich your candleburning experience.
The even better news is that there really isn't that
much to do as things to be aware of.
-
The
first time you light a pillar candle, burn it
one hour for every inch of its diameter. This
will allow the pool of wax to extend to the outside
rim and prevent your candle from forming a "canyon"
in its center. Burning your candle this way will
also set its memory. Each time you re-light the
candle it will "remember" to burn out
to the rim.
-
Keep
your wicks trimmed!! This essential for a clean,
smoke free burn. Many people complain about candles
that smoke and this can be eliminated by trimming
the wicks to ¼ inch every time you burn
the candle. This is true for all types of candle.
-
If
your candle is smoking despite trimming the wick
and checking for debris in the melt pool, extinguish
the candle immediately. Trim the wick again a
little more and allow to cool before relighting.
The smoking will stop. With a quality candle,
you shouldn't have problems with smoking, but
it is worth remembering that scented candles will
smoke more than unscented candles.
-
When
you burn a highly scented candle, sometimes "mushrooming"
will occur on the wick. Treat this as a friendly
reminder that you need to trim the wick.
-
Candles
need to breathe. If you burn a candle in a small
room, it is likely to smoke. Please consider the
size of your room when you display your new candles.
-
Never
"blow out" a candle. Blowing will spray
the wax everywhere and cause the candle to drip
and smoke. The most effective way to extinguish
the flame of a candle is to use a candle snuffer.
If you don't own a snuffer, the best way to extinguish
the candle is to place your forefinger in front
of the flame before you blow. This clever trick
means that the air will hit the flame from the
sides instead of hitting it directly.
IMPORTANT
While
everything I have described will enhance your experience
burning candles, the advice below is essential. Please
ensure you read this advice before burning your candles.
-
Never
leave a burning candle unattended!
-
Keep
out of the reach of children and pets
-
To
prevent smoking, trim wick to ¼ inch prior
to each use and keep trimmed.
-
If
candle smokes, extinguish, trim wick & re-light
-
Keep
debris out of the melt pool
-
To
prevent fading, keep out of direct sunlight.
-
Extinguish
by dipping wick into melted wax then reposition.
This will help eliminate smoking.
-
If
candle burns unevenly due to a draft, carefully
push the wick to the higher side.. If this causes
dripping, extinguish, cool and relight. Repeat
a few times and the candle will repair itself.
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