Rituals & Home
How to Burn a Candle Efficiently
A candle is one of the simplest rituals there is, but a little care goes a long way in how well it burns, how evenly its scent fills a room, and how long it lasts. If you want to know how to burn a candle efficiently, here are a few tips worth keeping in mind.
Four Tips for a Better Burn
Trim the Wick Before Each Use
A wick trimmed to around 5mm before every burn helps the candle burn more cleanly and evenly, and reduces soot and smoke. It is a small habit, but one of the most effective ways to extend a candle's life.
Give the First Burn Its Full Time
The first burn matters more than any other. When lighting a brand new candle, burn it for the full two hours, or until the melt pool reaches the edge of the container. This prevents tunnelling, where the wax burns down the centre only, leaving unused wax around the sides. Tunnelling can also make a candle increasingly difficult to light and keep lit as it burns down.
Consider the Size of the Room
Larger spaces diffuse a candle's scent more than smaller ones. The further the aroma has to travel, the less intense it will feel. For a stronger sensory effect, burn your candle in a smaller, more enclosed room, or allow more time for the scent to settle before expecting it to fill a larger space.
Extinguish It Properly
Avoid blowing a candle out, as this can cause hot wax to spread. Using the lid to smother the flame is best avoided too, as trapped smoke can affect the aroma of the candle over time. A candle snuffer is the gentlest way to put out a flame cleanly, without disturbing the wax or the scent.
Burning a candle well is a small ritual in itself, one more moment of care in an otherwise busy day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should you burn a candle the first time?
The first burn should last until the melt pool reaches the edge of the container, generally around two hours. This helps prevent tunnelling and supports a more even burn for the rest of the candle's life.
What causes a candle to tunnel?
Tunnelling happens when a candle burns down the centre only, usually because the first burn was cut short. Over time, this leaves unused wax around the edges and can make the candle harder to keep lit.
Should you blow out a candle or use a snuffer?
A candle snuffer is the better option. Blowing out a candle can cause hot wax to spread, while using the lid to smother the flame can trap smoke that affects the candle's aroma over time.
Does room size affect how strong a candle smells?
Yes. Larger spaces diffuse scent more than smaller ones, so the aroma can feel less intense the further it has to travel. Smaller, more enclosed rooms tend to hold scent more effectively.
A well-kept candle is one of the easiest ways to bring a little ritual into the everyday. Explore our candle collection to find your next one.
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