Using soy candles effectively involves proper placement, lighting, and importantly, burning them for the correct duration to ensure a quality experience.
Getting Started with Your Soy Candle
Before lighting your soy candle, place it on a stable, heat-resistant surface away from drafts, children, pets, and flammable materials.
- Trim the Wick: For best results, keep the wick trimmed to about 1/4 inch before each use. This helps prevent excessive soot and ensures a clean burn.
The Key: Optimal Burn Time
A critical aspect of using a soy candle correctly is managing its burn time, especially the initial burn. The goal is to create a full melt pool that reaches the edges of the container.
Based on the candle's diameter, the optimal burn time is one hour for each inch.
Why is this specific burn time important?
Burning your soy candle for this recommended duration allows several benefits:
- Fragrance Distribution: It gives the wax ample time to heat up, allowing the candle fragrance to distribute effectively throughout a room.
- Even Burning: It allows the soy wax to heat evenly all the way to the sides of the candle container.
- Minimal Residue & No Tunneling: When the wax melts evenly to the edges, it prevents "tunneling" (where only the center burns down) and ensures that the candle burns down evenly, leaving minimal wax residue on the sides.
Examples of Optimal Burn Times
Here's a quick guide based on the diameter of your candle jar:
| Candle Diameter | Optimal Burn Time |
|---|---|
| 2 inches | 2 hours |
| 3 inches | 3 hours |
| 4 inches | 4 hours |
| 5 inches | 5 hours |
Always ensure the entire top layer of wax has melted to the edges before extinguishing the flame, particularly during the first burn.
Extinguishing Your Candle
When you're ready to put out your candle, it's best to use a snuffer or carefully place the lid back on the jar if it came with one. Avoid blowing out the flame, as this can create soot and potentially spray hot wax.
By following these simple steps, especially paying attention to the optimal burn time based on the candle's diameter, you can enjoy the full fragrance and lifespan of your soy candle.
