Putting your candle in the Fridge is NOT a good idea.

Why!

The theory is that if you put your candle in the fridge or freezer you will increased its burning time.  Sadly, this not the case.  A candle is not more than a very carefully controlled fire.  The wax is designed to burn at a specific temperature and the wick is chosen so that the wick will burn the wax at an optimum ratio.  So what can go wrong.

1.  If you put the candle in the freezer it may well crack.
2.  If the candle is perfumed the scent in the candle may migrate that instead of being evenly distributed around the wax it can move to the sides and top.
   

So now you have risked cracking and the scent being ruined and do not mind either is it still worth trying?

Sadly, not.   Basically candles burn slowly.  The only part of the candle which matters is that part which is closest to the wick being burnt at the top.  Once lit wax around the wick will soon reach its normal room temperature.  As the candle to continues to burn down the area of wax that is being burnt will been warmed up to its original temperature ages ago.  It only takes a couple of moments
for the heat from the flame to warm your icy candle to room temperature.
So The few extra minutes of burn time that you might get from putting a candle in the refrigerator isn’t much, and really isn’t worth the effort.

So it is back to basics!  Your candles will burn for longer if you love them and care for them.  Trim their wicks, keep them out of draughts, put them out correctly and burn them for the right amount of time.  Please see our blog on candle burning.

Ok. I know light a match and sit back and relax!!  Actually all candles  burn differently and apart from safety considerations you
should follow a few simple guidelines to get the most from your candles.

Firstly, Pillar Candles. All candles are no more or less than a controlled fire.  Pillar candles are usually made with an outer layer of wax which is harder and of a higher melting point than the inner wax which forms a shell as the candle burns down.

To make sure your candle can be easily relit and does not smoke or drip we advise the following:-

1. First, be sure you are burning your pillars out to within 1/4 inch of the sidewall (edge). Otherwise, you run the risk of “tunnelling” your candle. Most manufacturers recommend burning your candle for about 2 hours  in diameter – thus a 60mm diameter candle should burn for about 6 hours before extinguishing,  . Aways leave the candle alight for long enough for the pool of wax to reach the outer edge of the candle. If you do not do this the candle will probably smoke when you relight it.  If you candle tunnels and you are left with a tall wax wall, trim the excess wax off whilst is is still warm but with the candle unlit.
2. After putting the candle out always make sure the wick is upright and in the middle of the candle. The best way of extinguishing a candle is to dip the wick down into the wax and lift it back up again.
3. Never leave foreign objects, such as used matches, in the candle, They can burn like a wick and both ruin the candle and
be dangerous,
4. Never put pillar candles too close together. always leave at least 2 cms between each candle.
5. If the flame of the candle flares out at the top it is smoking. Take a pair of scissors and trim the wick.
6. Always put candles on suitable holders and make sure that the surface they are on is level.
7. Do not burn in a draught.The above picture shows how NOT to do it.
a. The candles positioned too close together.
b. Old matches have been left in the candle.
c. The candle on the left is smoking (notice the flame is flared out at the top).
d. The candle on the rights has tunnelled.

How to burn container candles.
1. For best results let the candle burn long enough so that it is within 10mm from the edge of the glass or tin.
2. Keep the wick trimmed to no more than 1cm.
3. Container candles are best when not burnt for much more than four hours at a time.
4. Throw them out when there is about 10mm left in the bottom of the container, this prevents the bottom becoming too hot.
5. Always burn on a level surface.
6, If putting a candle into a glass jar or hurricane lamp always make sure than you clean out any wax when you remove the candle. Putting a candle onto old wax will mean the candle may not be level.  If a flame touches the edge of the glass the glass will break!

How to burn Dinner Candles
1. Always use a suitable candle holder.
2. Never burn in a draught – they will drip.  We do sell drip rings which are great if you cannot avoid a bit of a breeze.  If you buy our classic self fitting candles then you can use our candle followers which shade the flame as the candle burns down and prevents dripping.
3.Keep the wick trimmed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Candle making is a safe and enjoyable craft, but you should observe the following guidelines:

Never overheat wax If was is heated above 100°c (212°f) it will ignite:

So:-

• Never leave heating wax unattended that means NEVER so make sure that you will have have to leave the rookm whilst candlemaking. If you have to leave the room TURN OFF THE HEAT SOURCE first.
• Whenever possible us a double boiler, thermostatically controlled chip fryer or a metal bowl over hot water. If you do this is cannot overheat.
• If you do heat wax directly over your source of heat use a thermometer. When reading the wax’s temperature ensure that you have gently stirred the wax and leave the thermometer in until it stops moving so that you know you you are getting a true reading. Remember at 100°c (212°f) it will ignite:
• Do not move your hot container of wax. always work buy bringing your pouring jug to the double boiler or water and leadelling the wax out. If you move the wax it could spill and burn you.

To put out a wax fire Never use water. Wax acts like a chip pan fire and the fire will spreads if you use water. You should:

• Switch off your heat source immediately
• Smother the flames with a damp cloth, saucepan lid or fire blanket. Make sure you leave plenty of time for the wax to cool BEFORE removing your lid damp cloth or fire blanket. If you taker it off too soon the wax may well re-ignite.

Make sure that your work area is organised and that you have to move your molten wax as short a distance as possible. Always have a damp cloth or fire blanket at hand.

If you do have a fire try and avoid breathing in the smoke. If you have a minor burn run it under cold water. If more serious seek medical help.

You should:

• Switch off your heat source immediately
• Smother the flames with a damp cloth, saucepan lid or fire blanket. Make sure you leave plenty of time for the wax to cool BEFORE removing your lid damp cloth or fire blanket. If you taker it off too soon the wax may well re-ignite.

Protect your work surfaces Wax will scrape off most surfaces, but the dye may stain. Use baking trays underneath your prepared moulds so that any leaking wax will be safely contained, and the odd drips you have can then be recycled. It is also a good idea to protect the whole area with old newspaper.

Molten wax Remember that molten wax always hardens when it cools down! Make sure that you always have a plug in you sink – molten wax will plug the drain if the wax goes down it.

Burning Candles – Saftey

• Always put candles on a heat resistant surface. Be especially careful with night lights and tea lights, which get hot enough to melt plastic. TVs are not fire-resistant objects.
• Put them in a proper holder. Candles need to be held firmly upright by the holder so they won’t fall over. The holder needs to be stable too, so it won’t fall over either.
• Position them away from curtains. Don’t put candles near curtains or other fabrics – or furniture. And keep them out of draughts.
• Don’t put them under shelves. It’s easy to forget that there’s a lot of heat above a burning candle. If you put it under a shelf or other surface then it can burn the surface. Make sure there’s at least three feet (one metre) between a candle and any surface above it.
• Keep clothes and hair away. If there’s any chance you could lean across a candle and forget it’s there, put it somewhere else. You don’t want to set fire to your clothes or your hair.
• Keep children and pets away. Candles should be out of reach of children and pets.
• Keep candles apart. Leave at least four inches (10cm) between two burning candles.
• Take care with votive or scented candles. These kinds of candles turn to liquid to release their fragrance, so put them in a glass or metal holder.
• Don’t move them when they’re burning. Extinguish candles before moving them. Also, don’t let anything fall into the hot wax like match sticks.
• Don’t leave them burning. Extinguish candles before you leave a room. Never go to sleep with a candle still burning. And never leave a burning candle or oil burner in a child’s bedroom.
• Use a snuffer or a spoon to put them out. It’s safer than blowing them, which can send sparks and hot wax flying.
• Double-check they’re out. Candles that have been put out can go on smouldering and start a fire. Make sure they’re completely out.