A candle gives the most pleasure when it burns calmly and evenly. These tips are general guidance – the instructions on the product and its packaging always come first.
The first burn
The first time you light a candle in a jar or pot, let it burn until the melted wax reaches the edge of the container. This helps the wax burn evenly next time and prevents a deep hole, often called tunnelling, from forming around the wick. So light it when you have time to stay nearby for a while.
Trimming the wick
- Cotton wicks: before you light the candle again, trim the wick to about 5 mm. A shorter wick gives a calmer flame and less soot.
- Wooden wicks: they crackle softly as they burn. Before relighting, gently break off the blackened tip so that the wick is only a few millimetres long – otherwise the flame can become small and struggle.
Only trim a wick when the candle is out and the wax has set.
Putting it out
Use a candle snuffer, or carefully dip the wick into the melted wax and straighten it again. Never use water – hot wax can spatter.
The safety basics
- Never leave a burning candle unattended.
- Burn candles out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep them away from curtains, shelves, draughts, heat sources and anything that can catch fire.
- Place them on a stable, heat-resistant surface and keep at least 10 cm between burning candles.
- Do not move a candle while it is burning or while the wax is still liquid. Jars and pots can get very hot.
- Always burn tealights in a heat-resistant holder.
When the candle is finished
Stop burning a candle when only a thin layer of wax is left at the bottom. Many jars and pots can then have a second life – the concrete pots of our wooden wick candles, for example, make a nice home for a small plant or pens.
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