Wood Wick Candle Tips and Tricks

Tips and Tricks for Getting the Best Burn from Your Wood Wick Candles

The unique flicker of wood wick candles creates a super cozy ambiance, but they can be a bit tricky to burn if you're not familiar with them. No worries! We've got some simple tips to ensure smooth sailing and long, clean burns every time.

Here are our top tips to get the best burn from your wood wick candle:

1. Nail the First Burn

The first burn is crucial for the longevity and performance of your candle. Allow enough time for the wax to melt evenly across the entire surface. This can take a few hours, so light your new candle when you can let it burn uninterrupted.

Why is this important? Candles have a "wax memory." If you don’t allow the wax to melt completely to the edge on the first burn, it can create a tunnel around the wick. This tunneling effect can make it difficult for the wax to melt properly in subsequent burns, leading to a shorter lifespan for your candle and difficulty keeping it lit.

To prevent this, ensure your first burn lasts long enough to form a full melt pool. While you don’t need to do this every time, giving your wood wick candles a long burn occasionally will help maintain an even wax memory and prevent tunneling.

If you're already dealing with tunneling, don't worry! See tip #3 for a potential fix.

2. Keep Your Wick Trimmed

For an optimal burn, keep your wood wick trimmed to about ⅛ inch and remove any charred bits from previous use. If your candle won’t stay lit, the wick might be too long or covered in burnt material.

Remember, the flame draws the wax upward through the wick, so it needs to be clean and short to function properly. We recommend using a wick trimmer or gently breaking off the burnt parts with a napkin and your fingers once the candle has cooled.

3. Fixing Tunneling

If your candle has started to tunnel, there's still hope! Here’s how you can fix it:

Option 1: Give your candle a long burn until the wax melts all the way to the edge of the jar. This helps "reset" the wax memory.

Option 2: If your candle is drowning in a wax pool and won’t stay lit, use a paper towel or napkin to soak up some of the excess wax. Then relight the candle and repeat as needed until the wick has room to breathe.

Last Resort: Some people scrape out the wax near the jar’s edge or create a dome of aluminum foil around the rim to help melt the hard wax at the edges. These methods can be a bit tricky, so we recommend trying the other options first.

Lighting Your Wood Wick Candle Like a Pro

Lighting a wood wick candle is a bit different from lighting cotton wicks, but it’s easy once you get the hang of it. Tilt the candle slightly and let the flame draw across the length of the wick, similar to tilting a match after lighting. It may take a few tries, but once the wax is drawn through the wick, it will start burning more easily.

Additional Tips

No Soot or Smoke: Our high-quality wood wicks, combined with pure soy wax and premium fragrances, should burn cleanly without soot or smoke. If you see smoke, check for drafts and ensure the wick is trimmed and clean.
Burn Time: For the best results, burn your candle until the melt pool reaches the container’s edge, which typically takes 2 to 3 hours. If a long burn isn’t convenient, try our smaller jar candles for a shorter burn time.

We hope you find these tips helpful! If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to get in touch. We love hearing from our customers and fellow candle lovers. Enjoy the cozy ambiance of your wood wick candle!