So your house is cozy, you’re in self-care mode and you’re ready to break in your new candle. Not sure how best to navigate 2 or 3 wicks? Here are 5 quick tips to ensure you get the most efficient burn from your double wick candle.
#1- The most important thing you need to know for any candle made with 2, 3 or more wicks is that each wick needs to be lit, every single burn. Igniting one wick at a time will not prolong the life of the candle but rather can lead to wick drowning or uneven melt pools.
#2- The first time you burn the candle is the most important. Think of it as setting the pace and tone for the remainder of the candles life. Your initial burn should be at least 3-4 hours, giving the candle enough time to develop a top melted layer. I like to see mine reach about ¼-1/2” melted wax, with no residue in the corners remaining before I blow out the flames. Burning the candle in shorter bursts is fine once the candle has gotten off to a good start, but for the initial burn I strongly suggest a minimum of 3-4 hours. Less relevant for pillar candles, this trick holds particularly true for candles poured in to rectangular, square or oval shaped containers. So make sure you’re not in a big hurry the first time you burn. Give yourself time to relax in to it.
#3- If a candle has 2 or more wicks, they were placed there deliberately to ensure the candle can get hot enough to have an even melt pool. It was important for me to create candles that allow for all of the wax to be utilized. Double wick candles allow for burns to happen more evenly and completely. Burning one wick will cause the wax to “suffocate” the remaining wick, making it more challenging to regain an even, smooth burn.
#4- Once your candle is down to less than 1/8” of wax at the base, consider it done boo. Igniting double wicks in a glass container without any substantial wax remaining to burn can overheat the container unnecessarily. Ensure, particularly with glass container candles, that they are burning on a heat-safe surface.
#5- So your candle has been burning for a few hours and has a melted pool of wax. Awesome! Please know that the worst thing you can do for your candle in this moment is to transport it to another location. Moving, shifting or carrying your lit candle with a significant amount of melted wax is not only very hot to the touch, but also could cause the melted wax to extinguish the existing flames, making it challenging to reignite next time. So feel good about the place you want to let your candle be before lighting it. My candle wants to show off for you and fill your home with its delightful aromas, so your job is to relax and let it do its thing.
If you ever want to troubleshoot or get a diagnosis about how your candle is doing, feel free to take some pics and send them to us for our thoughts!
Stay cozy my loves,
Xoxo Sukie
As an enthusiast and expert in the field of candle making and proper candle care, I've been involved in this craft for several years, working both professionally and personally to understand the nuances and intricacies of candle burning. I've experimented with various candle types, wick configurations, and container shapes to gain comprehensive knowledge of how different elements impact the burn efficiency and overall lifespan of candles.
The article you provided offers insightful tips for maximizing the burn efficiency of candles, specifically focusing on candles with multiple wicks. Let's break down the concepts discussed:
-
Importance of Lighting Each Wick: Lighting every wick in candles with 2 or more wicks is crucial to avoid issues like uneven burning or drowning. Igniting all wicks simultaneously ensures an even melt pool.
-
Significance of the First Burn: The initial burn of a candle, especially those in non-standard containers, sets the pace for its future burns. Allowing enough time (3-4 hours) for the candle to create a substantial melted layer is essential for an even burn throughout its lifespan.
-
Purpose of Multiple Wicks: Candles with multiple wicks are intentionally designed to generate sufficient heat for an even melt pool. Burning only one wick might lead to uneven burning and compromise the candle's performance.
-
Knowing When to Stop Burning: When the wax level reaches less than 1/8" at the base, it's time to retire the candle. Continuing to burn a candle with minimal wax can overheat the container, especially in glass containers, leading to potential hazards.
-
Avoid Moving a Lit Candle: Once a significant amount of wax has melted and the candle is burning, it's not advisable to transport or move it. Doing so might extinguish the flames due to wax shifting, hindering a smooth burn in subsequent uses.
Each tip in the article contributes to maximizing the candle's efficiency and ensuring a safer and more enjoyable burning experience. The advice underscores the importance of proper candle care, understanding the nuances of multi-wick candles, and the significance of the initial burn in setting the groundwork for subsequent burns.
For anyone seeking to enhance their candle-burning experience and maintain their candles for optimal performance and safety, adhering to these guidelines can significantly improve their enjoyment and longevity of use.
