Using Our Time Candles

To get the best burn performance from your candles, there are a few simple things you can do to help:

The first task is to trim that wick. Before each burn it is best to trim the wick down to around 5-8mm. If the wick is too long it will simply burn away, without trimming, and could fall off into the wax pool. Be careful not to trim it too small as that could cause your candle to struggle to burn.

The second is to ensure you light the candle long enough to allow the wax pool to reach the edge of the glass. This can take up to 4 hours on larger candles but generally should be between 1-2 hours on small to medium candles. This is really important, on your first burn especially, as candles have a memory. If the candle didn't burn for very long, and the wax pool didn't reach the edge of the container, then next time you light the candle it will only pool the same and ultimately it may tunnel.

These are the most important parts to ensure longevity from your candle and to help it consume the majority of that lovely fragranced wax. It is important to extinguish your candle whilst there is still wax remaining to avoid overheating the glass container. We recommend leaving 10mm of wax and not burning below this; don't worry, we do the same and all of our stated burn times are easily met with this 10mm wax remaining.

If your candle is not left to create its own wax pool that reaches the edge of the container, then you will shorten the lifespan of your new candle and the chances are it will begin to tunnel with the wick eventually drowning. 

Once finished, it is also recommended that you use a snuffer, or the back of a spoon, to put out your candle rather than blowing it out - it isn't a birthday candle and could result in hot wax being blown out of the candle container or some of that burnt wick ending up in your wax pool.

 

The rest of our tips are more around the safe use of your candles.

You will notice all of our candles are labelled with safety warnings. It is very important these are followed and if, just in case, the symbols don't mean too much to you then we'll explain them here. The first 3 you will see on all candles whereas the others will be on larger candles. They all apply equally regardless of the size of the candle but larger candles provide more space to enable more symbols.

 

 1) Never leave a burning candle unattended. 

  • A lit candle always needs to remain in sight.

 2) Keep away from things that can catch fire.

  • Avoid burning near anything flammable

 3) Keep away from children and pets.

  • An inquisitive pet or child could quickly get burnt or knock over a burning candle.

 4) Keep a safe distance between your candles if you light more than one at a time to avoid overheating your candles.

  • The minimum distance for small to medium candles is 5cm but larger candles and jars will require at least 10cm between them.

 5) Keep your candle wick(s) trimmed to 5mm prior to lighting.

  • This is important to provide a good burn. Slightly longer, up to 8mm, is ok but too long and this can mean a larger flame and your candle getting too hot.

 6) Never move a lit candle or whilst the candle is still hot/liquid.

  • Candles can get quite hot whilst burning and will retain heat until it has completely cooled again and the wax has set.

 7) Avoid additional sources of heat whilst burning

  • Do not burn near other heat sources such as direct sunlight, heating or in front of a fire.

 8) Avoid burning in a draught

  • A draught can disturb the efficient burn of a candle and can cause the flame to become unstable which, in turn, can cause the candle to soot.

 9) Burn your candles on a level, heat resistant surface.

  •   - You wouldn't want that lovely new sideboard or dining table damaged from the heat of a candle. Always burn on a heat resistant surface and, if your candle comes with a lid, never use the lid as a coaster.

10) Keep the wax pool clear of debris

  • Don't drop match heads into the candle and should any contaminants end up in the wax pool extinguish the candle and remove them before relighting. Any debris can cause secondary ignition which could lead to your candle overheating.

 

By following all of the candle safety warnings, and caring for your candle, your candles will give you the best performance.