Proper care ensures a cleaner burn, longer life, and the best scent experience. Follow these simple steps to elevate your rituals with every glow.
First Burn Matters
Your first burn sets the foundation for how your candle will perform over time. To prevent tunneling—when wax builds up around the sides and wastes your candle—allow the wax to melt evenly across the entire surface before extinguishing. This can take 1-3 hours, depending on the size of your candle. A proper first burn ensures a smooth, even melt for every use, maximizing both longevity and fragrance throw.
Artisan Tip:
- Burn until the wax reaches the edge, even if it takes time.
- If tunneling starts, wrap foil around the edges and burn for an hour to correct it.
Trim the Wick
A long wick can cause excessive flickering, soot buildup, and uneven burning. Trimming the wick before lighting helps maintain a steady flame, ensuring a clean, smoke-free experience. This simple step not only extends the life of your candle but also prevents overheating and unnecessary wax consumption, allowing you to fully enjoy its intended scent and ambiance.
Artisan Tip:
- Use wick trimmers or small scissors for a precise cut.
- If the wick mushrooms, trim it before relighting to prevent excess smoke.
Burn Smart
While it’s tempting to let your candle burn endlessly, doing so can overheat the vessel and cause the wick to mushroom, leading to excess smoke and soot. Limiting each session to a maximum of 4 hours keeps the fragrance fresh and the wax burning efficiently. Always let the wax cool and solidify before relighting to preserve the candle’s integrity and performance.
Artisan Tip:
- Let the wax fully cool before relighting to prevent wick drowning.
- If the flame flickers wildly, extinguish and trim the wick before continuing.
Mindful Placement
Where you place your candle affects how it burns. Drafts from fans, vents, and open windows can cause an uneven burn, leading to tunneling or an unstable flame. Placing your candle on a heat-resistant surface, away from direct sunlight or radiators, also prevents the wax from softening unevenly. A stable environment ensures a cleaner, longer-lasting burn and a safer experience.
Artisan Tip:
- Place on a heat-resistant, non-flammable surface.
- Avoid placing candles near air conditioners or open windows.
Know When to Stop
Burning a candle down to the very bottom may seem like a good way to use every last bit of wax, but it can be dangerous. The heat can transfer to the vessel, potentially cracking glass or overheating metal tins. Instead, repurpose your jar—clean it out and use it for storage, as a planter, or for holding small treasures, keeping the essence of your candle alive in a new form.
Artisan Tip:
- Scoop out leftover wax and use it in a wax warmer.
- To clean the jar, freeze it for a few hours—wax will pop right out.
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Artisan Candles
Crafted for the modern alchemist.
