Why Does My Candle Have a Tall or High Flame?
When examining how a candle functions, you’ll notice that the visible flame ignites the wax located on, within, and surrounding the wick. The wick, typically made from an absorbent material such as cotton, draws the liquefied wax upward through capillary action, providing the fuel needed for combustion. If you observe that the flame appears unusually tall or large, it generally indicates that the wick is drawing excessive fuel, causing the flame to burn hotter and taller. This situation can pose a fire hazard and also leads to faster candle consumption.
In such cases, it’s crucial to extinguish the candle safely and allow it to cool for a few moments before inspecting the wick. An excessively tall flame not only increases safety risks but also causes the candle to burn more rapidly than intended, wasting wax and reducing its lifespan.
Common Causes of Excessively Tall or Large Candle Flames
- Wick Width Too Wide: Sometimes, especially in lower-quality or mass-produced candles, the wick may be too thick for the candle’s wax and container. A wider wick draws more wax and oxygen, resulting in an oversized flame. Replacing the wick in such cases requires skill and specialized tools, making it a more complex repair.
- Wick Length and Trimming: More often, the issue stems from an overly long wick protruding above the wax surface. An excessively long wick leads to a larger flame and more soot. To correct this, trim the wick to approximately a quarter inch (about 6 mm) using a proper wick trimmer before relighting. Regular trimming ensures a controlled flame and extends the candle’s burn time.
Why Is My Candle Flame So Small?
A diminutive flame often results from insufficient fuel delivery to the combustion zone, primarily caused by the wick’s characteristics or its length. When the flame appears tiny or struggles to stay lit, it indicates that the wick may be too narrow or too short to draw enough wax upward.
To address this, first extinguish the candle and examine the wick. If the wick is too thin, replacing it with a thicker wick designed for your specific wax type may be necessary. If the wick is simply too short, you can attempt to extend it by carefully melting the surrounding wax with a heat gun or similar tool, then pouring out excess wax to expose more wick length. Alternatively, you might gently remove excess wax around the wick with a toothpick or a similar instrument to free the wick and improve fuel flow.
What Causes Candle Flames to Flicker or Move Excessively?
Fluctuating or moving flames can be unsettling and are often a sign of external factors or internal candle issues:
- Presence of Drafts: Candle flames are highly sensitive to air currents. Any breeze or draft can cause the flame to flicker or dance. To stabilize it, relocate the candle away from open windows, air vents, or fans, or consider sealing drafts within the room.
- Excessive Fuel Supply: When the wick draws too much wax due to a large or improperly trimmed wick, the flame can flicker and flare erratically. This is often accompanied by soot and uneven burning.
- Insufficient Fuel Supply: Conversely, if the wick cannot draw enough wax—perhaps due to being too short or narrow—the flame may flicker or go out altogether. Adjusting the wick length or replacing it can resolve this issue.
Why Is My Candle Producing Excessive Smoke?
Thick, acrid smoke emanating from a candle is generally caused by incomplete combustion, leading to soot formation. While soot primarily consists of carbon particles and is not directly harmful, inhaling it over time can be unpleasant and may stain surrounding surfaces.
The main culprit is often a draft that causes the wick to draw more fuel than the flame can efficiently burn, resulting in unburned soot particles. To minimize smoke, move the candle to a draft-free area and ensure the wick is trimmed to the appropriate length. Regularly maintaining the wick reduces soot buildup and promotes cleaner burning.
Ideal Candle Flame Height and How to Achieve It
In general, a well-functioning candle should produce a flame approximately half an inch (about 12 mm) to two inches (about 50 mm) in height. The flame height correlates with the size of the melt pool around the wick, which should grow about a quarter inch (6 mm) every hour of burning. Achieving this ensures optimal burn efficiency and safety.
Factors influencing flame height include the wax type—beeswax, soy, or vegetable waxes tend to require different wick sizes than standard paraffin wax. Experimenting with wick length and thickness helps tailor the flame to your preferences, with a slight tendency to leave the wick somewhat longer than desired to prevent it from becoming too short and extinguishing prematurely.
The Fate of Wax During Candle Burning
When a candle burns efficiently, the wax is converted primarily into water vapor and carbon dioxide gases—harmless byproducts. However, incomplete combustion results in soot, which is unburned carbon particles that deposit on surfaces and can cause unpleasant odors. Managing flame height and ensuring proper wick trimming helps promote complete combustion, reducing soot production.
Can I Leave a Candle Burning Overnight?
It is strongly advised against leaving a candle burning unattended or overnight. Experts recommend never leaving a candle lit for more than four hours at a stretch. Continuous burning increases the risk of uneven melting, wax spills, or accidental fires. Always extinguish the candle before sleeping or leaving the room, and ensure it is completely out before leaving the house. Regular monitoring and safe practices are essential for household safety.
For additional safety, consider using candles with features like self-extinguishing mechanisms or those made with safer materials. Proper placement away from curtains, furniture, and combustible objects is also crucial.
Additional Safety Recommendations
- Install modern smoke detectors that do not require frequent battery changes, such as models from Kidde.
- Keep a fire extinguisher accessible, for instance, from Amerex.
- Use a fire escape ladder if your bedrooms are located on upper floors, like the one from Hausse.
Remember, prioritizing safety and understanding your candles’ behavior ensures beautiful ambiance without risking your family’s safety.