Can You Burn Votives Without A Holder?

Votive candles are small, short candles often used for prayer, decoration, or as accents in homes. According to the Wikipedia page on votive candles, they are typically white or yellow beeswax candles intended to be burned as an offering during Christian prayer. Votive comes from the Latin “votum” meaning vow or dedication. Today, votives are still commonly used in religious settings but have expanded in popularity for ambient lighting and home decor.

Votive candles are meant to burn for 5-8 hours, making them ideal for low light over an extended period. They are available in standard sizes of 1.5 x 1.5 inches or 2 x 2 inches. Traditional votive candles require the use of a small glass or metal container to hold the wax as it melts. However, some modern votives are designed to be freestanding without a holder.

Safety Concerns

Burning candles without holders poses some significant safety risks, primarily the danger of accidental fires. According to Jenkins Restoration, candles can reach temperatures of around 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Without a holder to catch melting wax and contain the flame, the hot wax can pool on the surface below and the flame has potential for greater spread if the candle gets knocked over. Reddit users on r/candles also warn about unsafe materials like paper or plastic melting from the candle heat if used without a holder (source).

According to the National Fire Protection Association, candles are the cause of around 9% of home fire deaths per year in the U.S. (source). Unattended or improperly used candles account for a large portion of these fires. Using candles without holders removes a key protective barrier and greatly increases fire risks.

Alternatives to Holders

If you don’t have traditional candle holders, there are many household items that can be repurposed to hold votive candles safely. Bowls, plates, jars, and other containers made of non-flammable materials like glass, metal, or ceramic can substitute candle holders.

Small plates and bowls, like salad plates, dessert plates, and dipping bowls, provide a stable base for a votive. Make sure the plate or bowl is large enough to contain any melted wax drips. Glass or ceramic bowls like rice bowls, salsa bowls, and ramekins also work well. Just be sure the interior dimensions offer enough space around the votive.

Jars and vases of all sizes can cradle votives beautifully. Short jelly jars, juice glasses, and wide-mouth mason jars allow ample air flow while enclosing the flame. Taller vases raise the votive up higher while still containing wax drips. The glass also enables the votive light to shine through for a gorgeous effect. Just avoid any metal containers, which can get too hot.

With all vessel choices, verify the candle fits safely inside with enough clearance. And only use containers that can withstand the votive’s heat so they don’t crack. This repurposing maximizes what you already have at home for an instant votive holder.

Tips for Burning Votives without Holders

There are some best practices and precautions to take when burning votive candles without holders:

Make sure the votive is placed on a heat-resistant surface like a ceramic plate, stone coaster, or terra cotta saucer (source). Metal or glass surfaces can get too hot.

Put the votive in a stable spot where it won’t get knocked over, and keep it away from the edges of tables and counters.

Don’t burn votives near flammable materials like curtains, books, or dried flowers. Leave at least 12 inches of clearance.

Trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to prevent big flames and wax spills.

Extinguish the flame if the wax pool reaches the edges. This prevents overflow.

Avoid moving or touching the votive while lit. Wait until the wax hardens again before handling.

Consider placing votives in a shallow tray of sand. This catches spills and drips.

Be attentive and never leave burning votives unattended, as with any open flame (source).

Proper Placement

When burning votives without holders, it’s crucial to place them a safe distance from flammable objects. According to expert candle makers, votives should be placed at least 4 inches from anything flammable like curtains, furniture, or decor.

Aim to put votive candles on non-flammable surfaces like stone, brick, or concrete. Avoid setting them directly on wood tables or surfaces that could catch fire. Place the votives in an area without drafts or vents that could blow the flame towards flammable objects.

Additionally, be sure to allow adequate spacing between votive candles, at least 4-6 inches apart. Clustering too many votives together increases the fire risk if one were to get out of control.

With proper placement on a non-flammable surface away from flammables, it’s possible to safely burn votive candles without holders and enjoy their light ambiance.

Monitoring the Candles

One of the top safety concerns when burning votives without holders is keeping a watchful eye on the candles at all times (Source). Leaving burning candles unattended can quickly lead to dangerous situations where flames or melted wax can spread and cause accidental fires (Source). It is crucial to pay close attention to lit votives and never walk away, even for a minute. Sit in the same room and keep them in your line of sight.

According to candle safety experts, you should never leave a burning candle unattended or go to sleep while votives are lit without holders (Source). It’s easy for a forgotten candle to tip over, ignite nearby combustibles, or simply burn down completely and spread melted wax. Monitoring the candles means being vigilant and present until they are completely extinguished.

Use Non-Flammable Surfaces

When burning votive candles without a holder, it’s crucial to only use non-flammable surfaces. Materials like wood, paper, plastic, and fabrics can easily catch fire if the flame gets too close. Instead, choose surfaces made of metal, glass, tile, concrete, or stone.

According to the Phoenix Fire Department, “Make sure that candles are secured in stable non-flammable holders, such as metal, ceramic, or glass. Anything made of wood or decorated with dried materials can easily catch fire.” (source)

Safe non-flammable surfaces include stovetops, granite countertops, metal trays, ceramic plates, glass trays, and concrete patio tables. Avoid placing votive candles directly on wood tables, furniture, paper, wicker, or other flammable materials.

Fire Extinguishing Methods

Having quick and easy access to a way to extinguish a small candle fire is crucial when burning votives without holders. According to the National Candle Association, the safest way to extinguish a candle is to use a snuffer which smothers the flame and prevents hot wax from splattering (https://candles.org/fire-safety-candles/).

If you don’t have a snuffer handy, never use water to try to extinguish a candle flame as it can cause hot wax to splash, spreading the fire. Instead, keep a damp towel or small fire extinguisher nearby to quickly smother a flame in case of an emergency.

It’s also wise to trim wicks before relighting candles and check for drafts that may cause flickering flames, according to Service Master of Lakeshore (https://servicemasteroflakeshore.com/candle-fire/). Taking preventative measures can help avoid fires with burning votives without holders.

When to Avoid It

Though burning votives without holders can be done safely with proper precautions, there are certain situations when it’s best to avoid doing so:

According to https://candles.org/fire-safety-candles/, you should never leave a burning candle unattended or burn one near anything flammable. Fires can start quickly from tipped over or forgotten candles. It’s unsafe to burn votives without holders when you won’t be around to monitor them.

Burning candle without holders overnight or while sleeping is very risky, as noted in https://www.reddit.com/r/NoStupidQuestions/comments/q9r7su/can_you_burn_a_candle_without_a_holdertray/. There is greater danger of the flame spreading while unattended in the dark.

Avoid burning votives without holders on surfaces that could catch fire, like wood tables or furniture, carpets, drapes, paper, etc. The flame is not contained so extra caution is required.

During events with lots of activity or traffic flow in the area, do not leave votives burning without holders where they could get knocked over accidentally.

Basically, any situation where you can’t give proper monitoring and attention to the candles calls for using holders to minimize fire risks.

Conclusion

In summary, burning votive candles without holders can be done safely if certain precautions are taken. It’s important to place them on non-flammable surfaces, away from anything flammable, and to monitor them continuously. Have a plan to extinguish the candles if needed, such as having a bowl of water or damp towel nearby. Avoid doing this around children or pets who could accidentally knock over the candles. While burning votives without holders can create a pretty effect, it’s generally safer to use holders to contain the candle’s heat and wax. If choosing to burn them holder-less, do so cautiously by following the tips mentioned in this article. Start with just one or two to see how they burn before increasing the number of votives. With proper care and awareness, it’s possible to burn votive candles without holders and enjoy their ambience.