Candles are an amazing way to set the mood, add fragrance and warmth to any room, but there is a right way to extinguish a lit candle. If not done properly, they can cause fires, leave a mess of melted wax, or even risk hurting yourself with hot candle wax.
Not to mention, you just spent a substantial amount of time burning a candle, dispersing beautiful fragrances into the air - only to fill the air with the smell of smoke when you extinguish the flame.
There's a better way to do it so that you can simultaneously reduce risk, and preserve the beautiful fragrance in the room.
How to Put Out a Candle
Here are some tips on how to put out a candle safely and efficiently.
We'll also cover the best candle care practices so that it burns at optimal performance at all times, as well as what to do after your extinguish the flame, and what to do before you light it again.
1. Candle Snuffer:
Using a candle snuffer is one of the easiest ways to put out a candle flame. It is a small tool that comes in different shapes and sizes that is designed to extinguish candles without blowing out the flame. Simply place the snuffer over the flame, and the oxygen will be removed, extinguishing the candle.
Using a candle snuffer is the preferred method for putting out our New Orleans Candles.
2. Wick Dipper:
A wick dipper is a handy tool used to extinguish a lit candle by dipping the wick into the melted wax pool. Using a wick dipper stops the candle wick from smoking and prevents the wick from becoming damaged. The process is simple; tilt the candle, and gently dip the wick into the melted wax pool with the tool. The wick will straighten, and the flame will extinguish.
3. Blow Out:
Blowing out candles is an easy way to put them out, but it should be done with care. Before blowing out a candle, ensure there is no flammable material near the burning wick. Hold your breath or cover your mouth to avoid inhaling the smoke as you blow out the flame. Make sure to observe the molten liquid wax and blow gently to avoid splattering hot wax around.
This is the most common, yet least recommended, method for putting out a candle. If nothing else, blowing a candle out generally results in a smoke-filled space. And that can easily be avoided by using a different method to put the candle flame out.
4. Automatic Extinguisher:
Similar to candle snuffers, a candle extinguisher is a device that is used to extinguish the flame.
But unlike candle snuffers that generally only cover the wick and flame, candle extinguishers generally cover the entire top surface of the candle in order to cut off the oxygen to the entire candle.
Once the candle flame has been smothered, the liquid wax and wick will be starved of oxygen, and the burning will stop. This device is convenient and easy to use but can also require some maintenance responsibilities after each use.
In fact, there are even automatic candle extinguishers with timers!
Light the candle, set the timer, and at the set time the candle extinguisher lid will close, cutting off oxygen to the flame, and putting the candle out.
Of course, you still need to supervise it and never leave a candle unattended, but automatic candle extinguishers are still pretty neat!
5. Manually Cover The Container:
Similar to an automatic extinguisher, if you have a candle that is in a candle container or jar, the simplest way to extinguish it is by placing the cover over the top. The air that is in the container will quickly run out of oxygen, causing the flame to go out. Ensure that the lid is heat resistant, and the container is free of cracks.
WAX VARIANT RECOMMENDATIONS
Candles come in all shapes and sizes. They also come with all different kinds of wax:
Soy
Paraffin
Coconut
Palm
Bee
And many other types of wax. There are even hybrid waxes where two or more of the above-mentioned wax types are mixed together to create a premium wax blend.
Each wax type has its own benefits:
Fragrance Oil Load Capacity
Fragrance Dispersal Efficiency
Heat Tolerance
Hardness for Longer Burn Time
Many other factors come into play when it comes to why chandlers choose to use different types of candle wax, for example:
Availability
Cost
Sustainability
Ethical Sourcing Methods
With that being said, here are a few tips for candle care based on the wax type used in your candle:
Soy Wax:
Burn time: Do not burn your soy wax candle for more than 4 hours at a time. This will help prevent overheating, which can cause the wax to melt unevenly or the glass container to crack.
Store properly: Store your soy wax candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or heat sources. This will help prevent discoloration or melting of the wax.
The first burn is the most important: The first time you light a soy wax candle, allow it to burn until the entire surface has melted into a pool of wax. This may take several hours, depending on the size of the candle. This will help prevent "tunneling" and ensure that the candle burns evenly throughout its lifespan.
Paraffin Wax:
Burn time: Paraffin wax candles can be burned for longer periods of time than soy wax candles. It is generally safe to burn a paraffin wax candle for up to 6 hours at a time, whereas soy wax candles should not be burned for more than 4 hours at a time. However, reduce your burn time if the candle is a paraffin wax blend. Paraffin wax is frequently used in Soy, Palm and other wax blends to harden the wax and provide a longer burn time with a more efficient "hot throw".
Trim the wick: While it's important to trim the wick of a soy wax candle before each use, paraffin wax candles may require more frequent trimming, as their wicks may mushroom or flare up more frequently. Trim the wick to 1/4 inch before each use to prevent smoking, sooting, and uneven burning.
General Candle Safety
The National Fire Protection Association recommends that candles should not be left unattended, and they should be placed in a holder, away from children and pets. When placing candles, ensure that there is no flammable material nearby, and that the candle is far from open windows and air vents.
High-quality luxury candles may be less likely to cause a house fire because they are made with high-grade fragrance oil, have hundreds (if not thousands) of hours of testing, and are generally well-made.
However, all of the same safety precautions should be taken across the board, with all candles, regardless of whether they are labeled as luxury candles, or dollar store candles.
Wick Trimming
Trimming a candle wick is essential to reduce the likelihood of soot, smoking, and excess flame. Keeping the wick trimmed to a quarter an inch will help the candle burn evenly, safely, and prevent mushrooming.
Wick trimmers are designed to trim wicks at the base, just above the wax. Once the candle has burned down to half an inch, it should be replaced with a new one.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when putting out a candle, it is essential to use the right method to avoid causing a fire, wasting wax, or filling the room with smoke.
Always use candle care techniques to create a relaxing and stress-free space. Your safety and the safety of your loved ones cannot be compromised.