Can Glass Candle Holders Be Used As Drinking Glasses?
Can Glass Candle Holders Serve Double Duty As Drinkware?
Glass candle holders make beautiful decorative accents around the home. Their elegant shapes and designs reflect and refract candlelight to create a warm, cozy ambiance. But when the candles aren’t lit, the holders sit empty and serve little purpose beyond visual appeal. This begs the question: can glass candle holders pull double duty as drinkware when they’re not housing flickering flames? Let’s take a closer look at the pros, cons, and best practices for repurposing glass candle holders as drinking glasses.
Pros of Using Candle Holders as Glasses
One advantage of using candle holders as drinking glasses is that they can provide an appealing, vintage aesthetic. Glass candle holders often have elegant shapes and details that give them a sophisticated, retro look. Using them as glasses on a dining table or at a party can add a touch of charm and nostalgia. According to one source, glass candle holders “give an exclusive visual appeal” (https://www.efavormart.com/pages/why-use-candle-holders). Their classic styling evokes past eras and can complement many decor themes. For those aiming to create an old-fashioned or rustic ambiance, candle holders make visually pleasing and thematic drinking vessels.
Cons of Using Candle Holders as Glasses
One downside of using candle holders as drinking glasses is that they are generally not as durable as cups and glasses designed specifically for drinking. Glass candle holders are typically thinner and more delicate than standard drinking glasses. According to The Pros and Cons of Recycling Candle Jars article on the NZ Candle Supplies website, “Glass vases and many drinking glasses are not suitable as they are too thin and are not made to withstand heat.” https://nzcandlesupplies.nz/blogs/news/recycling-candle-jars Because candle holders are not designed for daily use, they can be prone to breaking, chipping or cracking when used as regular drinking glasses.
Additionally, some candle holders have decorative etchings, cut-glass patterns, or ornate shapes that make them less durable for holding liquids compared to smooth, plain drinking glasses. The thinner glass and decorative features mean candle holders used as glasses are more susceptible to breaking if dropped or mishandled. Using them like regular cups and glasses increases the risk of damage over time. Overall, the more delicate construction of most candle holders makes them a less practical and riskier option than using actual glasses crafted for beverage drinking on a regular basis.
Safety Considerations
When considering reusing candle holders as drinking glasses, it’s important to examine safety factors. Lead content can be a concern with vintage candle holders made before 1979, when regulations limited lead in glassware (source). Lead can leach from glassware into beverages, causing potential health risks. Therefore, vintage candle holders should be tested for lead or avoided for drinking. Modern holders made from soda-lime glass are generally considered food-safe.
It’s also crucial to thoroughly wash candle holders to remove any residue before using for drinks. Hot water, dish soap, and a bottle brush can help scrub away remaining wax or oils. Some recommend washing in the dishwasher through several high-heat cycles. Eliminating chemical residues ensures safety. With proper cleaning and avoiding vintage lead crystal or pewter, reusing a candle holder as a drinking glass can be safe. But when uncertain, it may be prudent to keep a upcycled holder for non-food uses.
Best Practices
When using candle holders as drinking glasses, it’s important to follow some best practices to ensure safety and proper use:
Careful handwashing – Glass candle holders that were previously used with candles will likely have some wax residue remaining on them. It’s important to thoroughly wash the holders by hand using warm soapy water before using them as drinking glasses. Pay close attention to fully removing any wax from the interior of the glass. Consider using a soft brush or cloth to gently scrub away any wax remnants.
Check for cracks – Carefully inspect the glass for any hairline cracks or chips that could pose a safety issue or allow liquids to leak. Never use a candle holder with any visible cracks or damage as a drinking glass. Only use holders that are in pristine condition. Gently tapping the holder and listening for any rattling or buzzing noises can also help detect hairline cracks.
Types of Candle Holders
Candle holders come in a wide variety of styles that can impact their suitability as drinking glasses. Some of the most popular types of candle holders include:
Vintage Candle Holders: Antique or vintage candle holders often have intricate designs that make them decor showpieces. Their aged and delicate nature may make them unsafe for regular use as drinking glasses. However, some high quality vintage holders made of thick glass may still be suitable options. Using them sparingly can be a unique way to showcase their beauty.
Colored Candle Holders: Candle holders made from colored glass can add a fun pop of color to your tablescape or bar. But keep in mind that brightly dyed glass may leave some color residue or impart a flavor to your drinks. Opt for neutral tones like clear, frosted, or lightly tinted holders to avoid any unwanted tinting of your beverages.
Etched Glass Candle Holders: Etching creates a lightly frosted look and provides added grip. The matte texture makes etched glass ideal for holding liquids safely. Etched holders often feature elegant patterns and detailing that get enhanced when a candle is lit inside. Their delicate nature often makes them too beautiful to relegate just to candle duty.
Serving Ideas
Glass candle holders can make creative and elegant options for serving beverages like juices, wine, and cocktails. The clear glass allows you to appreciate the visual appeal of the drink inside. Here are some serving ideas using glass candle holders:
Juices like freshly squeezed orange or grapefruit juice look vibrant and colorful when poured into a glass candle holder. For breakfast or brunch parties, have an assortment of juice-filled candle holders at the table or buffet for a fun presentation.
Tall taper candle holders make great impromptu wine glasses. The elongated shape helps aerate the wine and looks sophisticated. Arrange various heights of candle holders filled with red or white wine at a cocktail party for visual interest.
For cocktails, short and wide glass candle holders can be used in place of traditional glasses. Fill them with colorful mixed drinks garnished with citrus slices or berries. Layer candles around the outside of the holders for an eye-catching display.
See this article for more serving ideas using glass candle holders: https://delishably.com/cooking-equipment/10-Different-Ways-to-Use-Plain-Glass-Votive-Candle-Holders-at-Your-Next-Party
Alternatives
While glass candle holders can be repurposed as drinking glasses, there are some other creative alternatives that may be safer and more suitable options. Here are a few ideas:
Mason jars make excellent drinking glasses and can easily be found at most craft stores. Wide-mouth mason jars work particularly well. Decorate them with paint, twine, or other accessories to create a unique look. Mason jars are more durable than typical glass candle holders. See this guide for turning mason jars into drinking glasses.
Terrariums made from glass containers can also double as unique drinking glasses. Choose containers large enough to function as a glass. Make sure to thoroughly clean and sanitize the glass. Adding layers of pebbles, moss, and soil can create an interesting look. Make sure not to fully seal the container. See this post for inspiration.
Repurposed vases, particularly cylindrical and round ones, can work well as glasses too. Look for wider vases that can accommodate a beverage. Thoroughly clean and inspect them first. Consider etching, painting, or adding other decorations. Make sure the vase is sturdy enough to hold a drink without tipping over.
Examples
Here are some real-life examples of using candle holders as drinking glasses:
“For my husband’s birthday party, I wanted to use mismatching glasses to give it a fun, eclectic vibe. I raided my cabinets and grabbed various glass candle holders and votives to use alongside our regular glasses. Not only did it create a whimsical feel, but the candle holders actually worked great as wine, cocktail, and water glasses for the evening!”
– Sarah D., Chicago, IL
“I was hosting Thanksgiving dinner and realized I didn’t have enough matching wine glasses for my large family. As a quick fix, I cleaned and polished some tall cylindrical candle holders to use as make-shift wine glasses. They worked perfectly and gave the table an elegant but rustic look.”
– James R., New York, NY
Conclusion
In summary, using glass candle holders as drinking glasses is technically possible, but does come with some risks and considerations. The major downside is that candle holders are not designed for safe everyday use as cups and glasses. They tend to be more delicate, thinner, and less stable than standard drinkware. This increases the chances of breaking, chipping, or tipping over.
However, for occasional use like parties or events, glass candle holders can work well for serving drinks, especially
if care is taken and precautions followed. The best practice is to inspect them closely for any cracks, chips, or instability. It’s also wise to avoid very narrow, top-heavy styles. More stable, sturdy designs with thicker bottoms tend to be safer options.
With proper care and the right style, glass candle holders can add a creative, decorative touch when used temporarily to serve drinks. But for daily use, it’s generally better to opt for actual glasses made specifically for holding beverages.
