Not too long ago, a friend of mine bought some aromatherapy candles and later asked me: “Why do my aromatherapy candles look so unsightly after burning, while others burn beautifully?” In reality, I’ve also encountered this unpleasant situation. After thorough research, I’ve come to realize that candle burning is quite an intricate art and not as simple as it seems! Here, I’d like to share some insights with you.
First Burn:
The first burn is crucial for achieving a beautiful candle. To do this, ensure that the surface of the candle completely melts, forming a flat wax pool during the first burn. Then, extinguish the candle (remember this part). This helps minimize the formation of memory holes. Memory holes occur when the candle “remembers” where it was previously extinguished. By achieving a full wax pool during the first burn, you can prevent the formation of these unsightly depressions. Once you’ve achieved a smooth surface during the first burn, subsequent burns will be even and aesthetically pleasing.
Trim the Wick:
It’s a common misconception that candle wicks naturally turn gray as they burn. Every time you light a candle, you should trim the wick. Long wicks can lead to excessive flame height, increased candle consumption, soot formation, and blackening of the candle’s walls. Therefore, before lighting the candle, trim the wick to approximately 3-5 millimeters. Trimming the wick before lighting is essential because, after burning, the gray remnants can fall into the wax pool and be troublesome to remove. Imagine trying to do this after the wax has solidified! It’s recommended to trim the wick every four hours of burn time. After burning for four hours, extinguish the candle, let it cool naturally, and then use a wick trimmer to trim the wick.
Now that you’ve ventured into the world of aromatherapy candles, it’s essential to equip yourself with some essential tools.
Candle Snuffer: A candle snuffer comes in two types, one with a hook and one with a cap. The hook-style snuffer allows you to extinguish the candle by submerging the wick into the wax, while the cap-style snuffer simply covers the flame to put it out.
Wick Trimmer: Wick trimmers are used to maintain the wick’s length at around 8mm, preventing soot during burning. Professional wick trimmers have a blunt angle at the front, making it easy to reach into the candle and trim the wick.
Dust Cover: When not in use, cover the candle to prevent dust from settling on it and to reduce fragrance loss.
Lighting the Candle: It’s best to use a dedicated lighter for candles rather than a regular lighter, as it minimizes the risk of burning your hand, especially when the candle burns deeply.
Adjusting the Wick: After each burn, straighten the wick with your fingers. Wick adjustment is essential to keep the flame centered, preventing uneven burning of the candle’s walls.
Candle Storage: Aromatherapy candles are sensitive to light and temperature. To prevent discoloration, store them in a cool, dark place with temperatures not exceeding 27 degrees Celsius. Using a lid is advisable as it prevents dust buildup and fragrance loss. If you don’t have a lid, you can improvise with other objects.
