First and foremost, the most important consideration when purchasing a vegetable wax candle is to allow the candle to burn until its surface reaches the edge, especially when using it for the first time. Allowing a tunnel to form will smother your candle and cause wax loss in addition to altering it.
When lighting your candle for the first time, do not trim the wick, and wait patiently until the entire surface of the candle is melted and liquid all the way to the edges. This phase can last between 1 and 2 hours, sometimes even more.
Next, the second crucial rule is to trim the wick of your candles regularly.
Each time you light your candle, trim the wick by about 1/4 of its length. It should not exceed 1.5 cm. This will help your candle burn cleanly and for a long time, without soot residue.
Skipping this step will compromise the capillarity of the wick, leading to uneven burning, black smoke and curvature, making it difficult to maintain the vitality of your candle afterwards. In addition, a damaged wick can cause various inconveniences such as its twisting, thus complicating its relighting. You may even notice the appearance of tunnels in the wax, even after an adequate burn time. The wick is unable to adequately absorb the quantity of wax and perfume, thus affecting the fragrance of the candle.
Finally, it is essential not to let your candle burn for more than 4 hours. This avoids problems related to a wick that is too long, overheated wax, etc.
As an optional but beneficial tip:
When extinguishing your candle, dip the wick into the wax rather than blowing it out or using a snuffer.
To do this, use a long, heat-resistant tool, such as a knife or fireproof utensil. Dip the wick into the wax, then straighten it. This technique will reduce smoke and add a new layer of wax to the wick, resulting in a more beautiful flame and an easier candle to relight.
If you notice a weak wick in the absence of tunnels, here are some causes and tips to fix it.
This is most likely due to a wick that is too short (either cut excessively or having burned itself). The wick is unable to absorb the wax properly, which weakens the flame. Here's how to fix it:
Use a match without the flammable part or a toothpick, insert it as close as possible to the wick. Light and let it burn, sometimes several lightings will be necessary to lengthen the wick.
Insert three matches or toothpicks all around the wick, lighting them all, in addition to the main wick.
Combine the two techniques simultaneously (central strand + 3 other strands),
These adjustments should revive the length of the wick and thus improve the combustion of your candle.
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