Candle Burning Tips

Want to make sure you get the most (burning time and dollars) out of your candles?  This information should guide you to help your candles last longer, and burn best.  It will also help you to choose the candles that are best for your needs.  Always read the burning instructions on your candles for the best results, and to avoid safety problems.
 

Taper Candles (or dinner candles):

Taper candles are most often used for elegant, romantic lighting for the dinner table, but are also used often for other candle holders such as wall sconces, etc.  The U.S. standard diameter for a dinner taper is 7/8".  This is why you might have a difficult time finding sizes larger or smaller than 7/8" because most candle holders made in the U.S. are this size.

Dripless Tapers are made with a harder wax shell on the outside which helps to contain the liquid wax.  Keep in mind, that the only way a dripless taper will actually not drip is if you burn it in a location that is free from drafts.  A draft will make the flame move, which will eventually burn on one side of the taper only, causing it to drip.  No matter how much a Taper Company advertises that their candle is dripless, it actually depends on its environment.  For instance, if your taper candles are located near a window, vent, or even where people will be walking by it constantly, it will probably drip.  Take note of the flame when you place it in its location.  If it is constantly flickering to one side, then there is a draft present.  If the flame stays straight, then you shouldn't have a problem with the taper dripping. 

Non-dripless tapers will drip even if there is no draft.  While they may be cheaper, they will make a puddle of wax while burning.

Some taper candles are colored all the way through, while others are only colored on the outside shell with the inside being white in color.  Once again, this also effects the price.  The better tapers will be colored all the way through. 

Pillars

Pillar candles are generally used as centerpieces.  Depending on the area it is being placed, you could use one, or a grouping of different sizes for the overall effect.  You can also add flower rings, gems, stones, potpourri, etc.  around them to enhance the look.  Always place Pillars on a candle base to protect your furniture from wax and oils.

Sizes vary greatly for Pillar candles.  The most popular diameter for a Pillar is 3" and has varying heights.  Other sizes are 2 inches, 4 inches, and 6 inches, although there are sizes smaller and larger as well.

Most people tend to be hesitant about burning pillar candles for fear that the pillar will drip or burn poorly.  Always read the instructions for the candle prior to burning.  Pillar candles are only meant to be burned for a few hours at a time (depending on the diameter of the pillar).  If you burn them longer than the time instructed, the wax pool will go beyond the outer shell and cause the liquid wax to leak out the sides.   To prevent dripping, when the wax pool reaches the outer edge (usually after a few hours), blow it out, allow it to harden, and then relight. 

Pillars are best for you to burn if you only light your candles a few hours at a time.  If you like to burn your candle all day, you might want to consider a Jar Candle instead...

Jar Candles

Jar candles have dramatically increased in popularity in recent years.  This is perhaps because they are lower in maintenance and tend to "throw" more fragrance than other types of candles.  Since jars tend to be wider in diameter than most other candles, there is a wider liquid pool of wax that can "throw" the fragrance.  Jar candles have improved in looks as well over the years due to the increasing number of decorative Jar Accessories available such as Jar Shades and Bases, Toppers, Huggers, Chimneys, Cappers, and S'Toppers.  There are many seasonal designs to spice up a basic jar candle, which makes burning them a lot of fun!

If you like to burn a candle for many hours out of the day, then a jar candle is for you.  Jar Candles are the opposite of Pillar Candles.  Where you should only burn a pillar for a few hours at a time, you should burn a jar candle for many hours longer!  This is because you want the liquid wax pool to reach the glass of the jar.  If you only burn a jar candle for a few hours at a time, you will notice a "well" being formed in the center of the jar.  The wax never gets the opportunity to liquefy to the outer edge of the jar and all of that wax will then be wasted.  You will know that you are not burning it long enough if you notice a wax wall around the jar that is not being burned.  You lose burning time when the jar is not burned properly, which also loses money.

Some people find improvement when they burn their jar with a S'Topper™, or Capper™ on top.  These are designed to be used on the jar while it is being burned.  They help the jar burn better due to the patented design, and they also help to eliminate some of that nasty soot from the paraffin wax found  in most candles!

It is important that you discontinue use and throw away the jar candle when there is a 1/2" of wax remaining, as glass may shatter, or wax may catch fire.

Votive Candles

Don't let these little buggers fool ya!  They can knock you out with  fragrance for such a small size candle!

First and foremost, votives must be burned in a votive holder as they turn to complete liquid while burning.  But these little candles can burn for up to 15 - 18 hours depending on the candle brand, and holder.  They are perfect for testing a fragrance prior to burning a larger, costly candle.  Usually most votives have more fragrance oils added to them which gives surprisingly pleasing results.  They are perfect for burning in smaller rooms in the home.

Choosing a proper votive glass is very important for burning votives.  The size of the glass will effect the burning time, and cleanup afterwards!  You want a votive glass that will fit the votive snuggly so that the wax cannot escape from the wick/flame.  If the votive glass is too wide, the liquid will escape from the wick, which will cause the flame to be unable to burn all of that wax that sits on the outer edge of the holder.  This means that you will then have the nasty job of trying to scrape the wax off of the sides when it is done burning.  It also means that all of that wax never got burned, therefore losing precious burning time.  If the votive holder fits the votive tight, then the flame will be able to burn all of the wax, leaving only a residue behind, and giving you much more burning time.

If you like to change fragrances often, have a small room to fragrance, or like to spend less money, then a votive candle is for you!

Simmer Pots / Wax Potpourri Tarts

 Simmer Pots (or Hot Pots) are the new hot trend for fragrancing the home!  These decorative holders are great for accenting a room while fragrancing the home.  They are also very cost effective!  Simmer Pots are ceramic, metal, glass, etc, holders that burn a tealight (small candle in a tin cup) in the bottom of the Simmer Pot, and wax Potpourri, or a "tart", in the top (Do not add water with wax!).  The tart does not have a wick.

When the tealight is lit underneath, it heats the wax tart on top which then liquefies the wax tart and simmers the fragrance into the room.One of the great things about Simmer Pots is that there is no flame to destroy some of the fragrance like with most candles.  They are also great if you enjoy changing fragrances often.  Most tarts will last approx. 8 hours each before they will lose their fragrance.

Electric Simmer Pots are also available.  These do not require that you burn a candle at all!  Just place a tart on top, plug them in, and smell the wonderful aroma!

Once they lose their fragrance, allow the simmerpot to cool, and pop the wax out of the top of the simmerpot.  Sometimes you can easily place the top (if it is a 2-piece design) in the freezer to allow for the tart to pop out easier.  Just be careful not to light the simmerpot right away after removing it from the freezer as the flame might crack the pot if it is too cold.

There are some basic ideas to keep in mind when choosing a simmerpot.  You will want the top dish to sit at the right level above the tealight flame.  If it sits too high up, the flame can't heat the wax and turn it to liquid easily.  This will make it difficult to simmer the fragrance into the room.  One that sits too close will simmer the tart quicker and will lose its fragrance quicker. Also, you will want to use a simmerpot with a shallow dish if you are burning wax tarts.  If the dish above is too deep, you might have the tendency to add too much wax which will cause the liquid wax to splatter.  You only want a shallow pool of wax to be simmered.
Once again, simmerpots are great if you like to change fragrances often.  They are also cost effective because once you pay for the simmerpot itself, you only need to buy tarts, and tealights (if you don't have an electric burner).
 

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We hope this helps with any questions you had about any type of candle.
If you have any other candle related questions, please feel free to email us at sales@candleshop.com, or call 1-800-936-7844