Can You Burn Cinnamon Sticks In Candles?

Burning cinnamon sticks in candles has become a popular practice due to the many benefits cinnamon’s fragrance can provide. Cinnamon produces a warm, spicy aroma that evokes feelings of comfort and relaxation when released into the air through candle flames. People often add cinnamon sticks to their candles to enjoy the soothing cinnamon scent and reap the potential therapeutic effects. Research shows cinnamon essential oil and aroma may have anti-anxiety, antidepressant, and stress-relieving properties (source). Burning cinnamon sticks in candles is an easy, safe way to disperse cinnamon’s aroma in home or office environments. The pleasant smell can aid relaxation, enhance mood, and create a comforting ambiance.

Can You Burn Cinnamon Sticks in Candles?

Yes, you can burn cinnamon sticks in candles. However, there are some important factors to consider before adding cinnamon sticks to candle wax. According to Fire and Flammable, cinnamon sticks can be safely burned in candles as long as a few precautions are taken.

Cinnamon sticks should only be burned in container candles, not taper candles or votives. Container candles like jars and pots have enough wax volume to keep the wick soaked as the cinnamon stick burns. Taper and votive wicks are too thin and may burn too quickly. The cinnamon stick itself can also clog the wick as it becomes saturated with oils.

It’s best to add just 1-2 cinnamon sticks per candle to avoid clogging issues. The sticks should be laid horizontally on top of the melted wax, not inserted vertically which can promote tunneling. Longer cinnamon quills rather than small sticks are ideal since they will burn slower. Regularly trim the wick to maintain an even flame and prevent smoking.

With the right type of candle and some simple precautions, cinnamon sticks can infuse candles with a lovely spicy aroma. But too many sticks or improper placement can lead to burning issues. Carefully adding 1-2 full quills to a large container candle allows you to safely enjoy this popular scent.

Why Burn Cinnamon in Candles?

There are several benefits to burning cinnamon in candles:

Cinnamon has a warm, spicy, and soothing scent that many people find pleasant and uplifting. The fragrance can help promote relaxation, improve mood, and create a comforting atmosphere, especially around the holidays when cinnamon is a popular scent. According to Candle Benefits, cinnamon’s aromatherapy benefits include acting as a mood booster and stress reliever.

Cinnamon candles can help naturally freshen and perfume the air in your home. The strong cinnamon fragrance can help mask unpleasant odors and leave your space smelling clean, cozy and inviting without the use of artificial room sprays or chemicals. According to a DreamTree Art Gallery Facebook post, cinnamon’s warm scent enhances any living space.

Cinnamon candles also provide decorative ambiance and glow for the holidays and fall/winter season. The warm color and familiar fragrance evoke the essence of the holidays in a natural, nostalgic way.

Tips for Burning Cinnamon

There are a few tips to follow when burning cinnamon sticks in candles to ensure safe and effective results:

You can use 100% cinnamon sticks or mix with other spices like cloves or allspice for a more complex scent. Just make sure you only use real, dried spices and not oils or extracts [1].

Place the cinnamon sticks vertically or horizontally in the wax, allowing adequate space around each one for optimal airflow. Packed too tightly, the sticks won’t burn properly [2].

Only use a sturdy, heat-safe container like glass or metal. The cinnamon sticks can get hot enough to melt plastic or scorch wood as they burn.

Allow the candle to fully pool and melt each time before relighting. This will help ensure even burning of the sticks.

Trim the wicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to prevent excess smoking. Long wicks create more soot with cinnamon.

Avoid drafts, blowing at the flame, or moving the candle once lit. The sticks are fragile when burning and can tip over or fall out easily.

Best Candles for Burning Cinnamon Sticks

When choosing a candle to burn cinnamon sticks in, look for unscented or lightly scented candles. Cinnamon has a strong scent on its own, so pairing it with a scented candle can be overwhelming. Opt for a subtle or neutral scent at most.

The candle holder should be wide enough to accommodate the cinnamon sticks without crowding. Look for jars, bowls, or other broad, open containers. Avoid narrow holders, as these don’t allow the cinnamon scent to properly disperse.

For candle material, soy, vegetable, or beeswax candles work best. These natural waxes evenly distribute heat, allowing the cinnamon sticks to burn slowly and steadily. Avoid paraffin candles, as these burn hotter and can cause the cinnamon sticks to burn up too quickly.

Candle holders that are too narrow or candles made from paraffin wax can cause cinnamon sticks to burn unevenly, producing more smoke than scent. When using an appropriately wide soy, vegetable, or beeswax candle, the cinnamon releases its aroma smoothly and safely.

Cinnamon Stick Alternatives

If you don’t want to use cinnamon sticks in your candles, there are some great alternative spices and herbs that can create similar aromatic effects.

Whole cloves are a popular cinnamon alternative. Their sweet, spicy scent is similar to cinnamon and will fill any space with warmth. Cloves can be easily added to candle wax or oil and release an inviting fragrance as they burn. Just be sure not to overload the candle, as cloves have a strong aroma.

Star anise is another option for a cinnamon-like fragrance. With hints of licorice and spice, star anise has a bold yet familiar sweetness. Like cinnamon, star anise gives off a cozy and soothing scent when burned in candles. Use whole star anise pods or ground star anise as you would cinnamon sticks or powder.

Allspice berries can also be used in place of cinnamon with success. Allspice is named for its complex flavor that seems to capture notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove all in one. It’s an easy swap for cinnamon sticks, providing a nuanced and warming scent.

Finally, citrus peels like orange, lemon, and grapefruit work surprisingly well in candles too. Though they offer more of a bright, zesty fragrance, citrus peels can provide a nice twist on the traditional cozy cinnamon aroma. Just be sure to fully dry the peels before adding to wax or oil.

With all of these flavorful alternatives, you don’t have to rely solely on cinnamon sticks to craft inviting, spiced candle scents for any season.

Safety Tips

When burning cinnamon sticks, it’s important to follow some safety precautions. Here are some tips:

Don’t leave burning cinnamon sticks unattended. Stay nearby to monitor the candle flame and watch for issues like flare-ups or excessive smoke. Leaving cinnamon candles unattended can increase fire risks.

Place cinnamon candles on a heat-safe surface. Candles can get hot enough to scorch or ignite surfaces like wood, plastic, or paper. Use a non-flammable candle plate or holder.

Keep candles away from drafts. Air currents from fans, vents, or open windows can blow the flame around and cause issues. Drafts make it easier for candles to tunnel or develop soot.

Watch for excess soot. Cinnamon sticks can produce more soot than regular candles as they burn. Trim wicks as needed and discard candles once heavy soot develops.

In summary, never leave cinnamon candles unattended, place them on heat-safe holders, avoid drafts, and discard if excessive soot develops. Following basic safety tips will help prevent accidents when burning cinnamon.

Troubleshooting Problems

Despite the appealing scent of cinnamon, burning sticks in candles can lead to some issues. Here are some common problems and how to troubleshoot them:

Sooting

Excess soot on the walls of the jar or sides of the candle is a common problem with cinnamon candles. Sooting occurs when the wick is too large for the width of the jar, so trim your wick to 1⁄4 inch to prevent this. Make sure to let the wax pool fully on each burn as well.

Weak Scent

The cinnamon smell from sticks can be faint compared to oils. For stronger aroma, mix sticks with a few drops of cinnamon essential oil. Grinding sticks into a powder before adding to wax also intensifies the scent. Use 6-12 sticks per pound of wax.

Tunneling

Tunneling happens when the sides of the candle remain unmelted with a deep center pool. This is often caused by wicks being too small for the jar width. Use a wider wick or double wick to ensure full melt pools.

Clogged Wicks

Cinnamon powder and debris can clog wicks and cause poor burn and mushroom tops. Use a wire wick dipper to clear debris and trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before each burn. Cotton braided wicks are less prone to clogging.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about burning cinnamon sticks in candles:

Is it safe to burn cinnamon sticks in candles?

No, it is generally not recommended to burn cinnamon sticks or other items like pinecones, flowers, or fruits in candles as this can pose a fire hazard according to 514candles.com https://www.514candles.com/faq-s. The candle wax may not adhere properly to these items, causing them to overheat and catch fire.

What happens if you burn a cinnamon stick in a candle?

Burning an actual cinnamon stick in a candle is dangerous, according to candle making experts on Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/candlemaking/comments/9jicwl/can_you_use_a_real_cinnamon_stick_inside_the/. The stick can overheat, ignite, and cause the entire candle to catch fire. It’s safer to make a wax replica of a cinnamon stick instead.

Can you sprinkle cinnamon on top of a candle?

Sprinkling a small amount of ground cinnamon on top of candle wax is generally safe, as long as it doesn’t come into direct contact with the candle flame. However, too much loose cinnamon could clog the wick and disrupt proper burning.

What’s the best way to scent a candle with cinnamon?

The safest way to add cinnamon fragrance to a candle is to use a cinnamon-scented candle wax blend or essential oil. Adding actual cinnamon powder or sticks poses safety risks. Cinnamon-scented wax and oils allow you to get the scent without the fire hazard.

Final Thoughts

Burning cinnamon sticks in candles can add a lovely scent and ambiance to your home. Cinnamon’s warm, spicy aroma is uplifting and inviting. It’s also affordable and easy to find. However, there are some safety considerations when burning cinnamon. Make sure to trim the sticks to fit your candle holder, avoid high temperatures, use caution around pets, and never leave a burning candle unattended.

In conclusion, cinnamon sticks can make a great addition to candles as long as proper precautions are taken. Start with a tested candle design made from high-quality wax. Maintain the wick to prevent excess soot. Place the candle away from drafts and flammable materials. With a little care, you can safely enjoy all the benefits of a cinnamon-scented candle.