Caring for and burning beeswax candles isn’t rocket science, but there are a few tips and tricks to make your beeswax candle experience even better!
Caring for Unburned Candles
You may notice your candle develop a light matte film over time (this is more apparent on darker candles). There is no cause for alarm! This is a natural phenomenon called bloom and occurs when the wax is exposed to cool temperatures. Some people like the look of it and some don’t. If you would like to remove the bloom, simply buff it with a cloth or use a hair dryer to gently heat the wax. The original shine and colour will come through. If you are using heat, be very careful not to melt your candle!
Pillars, Tapers, Votives, and Tealights Oh My!
Different types of candles are meant to burn differently.
Pillar candles are designed to stand on their own. Although they may drip a bit, for the most part, they should not.
Tapers are designed to be burned in a taper holder, which holds the candle upright while burning. Tapers may or may not drip as they are burned.
Votives can be a bit tricky. Although they are often sold without a container, they are actually designed to behave more like a container candle. Votives should be burned in a container slightly larger than the candle itself. As it burns, it will melt into the container. Burning a votive outside of a holder will result in a puddle of hot wax and very quick burn time. Now that’s disappointing!
Tealights can be purchased in a tealight cup or without. These are also designed to fully melt into the container, so they should always be burned in a container if purchased without a tealight cup.
The First Burn
The first time you burn your candle is called the memory burn. Allow the wax pool to reach the edge of the candle before you blow it out (it can take several hours – perhaps 8 or more!). This will prevent tunnelling.
Wick Trimming
Trim your wick to ~1/4″ before each burn to keep it burning beautifully.
Prevent Smoke on Extinguishing
To prevent smoking when you blow out your candle, dip the lit wick into the wax with a skewer or toothpick. Once the flame is out, straighten the wick so it’s ready for trimming and lighting next time.