Do Votive Candles Fit In Tea Light Holders?

Votive candles and tea light candles are both small, cylindrical candles commonly used for decoration, lighting, and ambiance. Votive candles are typically taller and wider than tea lights. Tea lights are very short and skinny in comparison. Both candle types are designed to fit into small candle holders and containers, adding cozy lighting to any space. But can the two be used interchangeably? Specifically, do votive candles fit into tea light candle holders? This article will examine the dimensions of both candle types and their holders to determine whether votive candles can be safely used in containers meant for tea lights.

Source: https://fireflyfuel.com/votive-vs-tealight-candles-what-is-the-difference/

Votive Candle Dimensions

Votive candles are small cylindrical candles that are typically around 1.5 – 1.75 inches (3.8 – 4.4 cm) in diameter and 1.5 – 3 inches (3.8 – 7.6 cm) tall (Goodlightcandles.com). The standard votive candle size is 1.5 inches in diameter by 2 inches tall, or approximately 1.2 ounces in weight (Creativecandles.com). While sizes can vary slightly between brands, most votive candles share these general dimensions of being short cylindrical candles around 1.5 inches wide.

Tea Light Candle Dimensions

Tea light candles are typically very small and short. The standard size for a tea light candle is a height of 0.5 inches (or 1.25 cm) and a diameter of 1.5 inches (or 3.81 cm) according to beesource.com. This makes them much shorter and skinnier than traditional votive candles. The small size allows tea lights to fit into very small holders and containers. It also means they don’t provide as much wax or burn time as larger candles – usually just 2-4 hours.

Tea Light Candle Holder Dimensions

Tea light candle holders are designed to securely hold tea light candles that are approximately 1.5 inches (40 mm) in diameter and 0.6 inches (15mm) tall [1]. The holders themselves come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials, but most have an inner diameter ranging from 1.5 to 1.75 inches to properly contain the tea light.

Standard tea light holders tend to be around 2-3 inches tall and 2-3 inches wide. However, their dimensions can vary greatly depending on the design. Smaller, simpler holders may be under 2 inches tall and wide. More ornate and decorative holders can be over 4 inches tall and wide.

In general, tea light holders are designed to be just large enough to securely hold a single tea light candle, with some extra room for the flame and melted wax. Their dimensions center around properly containing and presenting the tea light candle.

Do They Fit?

When comparing the dimensions of votive candles versus tea light candles and their respective holders, the analysis shows that standard votive candles can generally fit inside tea light candle holders.

The average votive candle is 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) wide by 3 inches (7.6 cm) tall, with some variation depending on specific brands and styles [1]. Tea light candles tend to be smaller, around 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) wide by 0.75 inches (1.9 cm) tall [1].

The majority of tea light candle holders have an inner diameter between 1.5-2 inches (3.8-5.1 cm) wide and a height of 1-1.5 inches (2.5-3.8 cm) tall. This is sufficient to accommodate most standard votive candles, which are not much larger in diameter than tea lights.

Therefore, based on the size dimensions, votive candles can generally fit inside tea light candle holders without issue. Some votive candles on the taller end may protrude slightly above some shorter tea light holders, but they should still be usable and stable [2].

Considerations When Using Votive Candles in Tea Light Holders

There are a few important considerations to keep in mind when using votive candles in tea light holders.

Fire Safety

Fire safety should always be the top priority when using candles of any kind. According to Words with Boards, tea light holders are generally safe when used properly. However, votive candles are taller than tea lights and may be more prone to tipping over in a tea light holder. To prevent fire hazards:

• Place candle holders on stable, heat-resistant surfaces away from anything flammable.
• Make sure the holder is sturdy and sits flat without rocking.
• Don’t leave burning candles unattended.
• Keep them out of reach from children and pets.
• Extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to sleep.

Aesthetics

Tea light candle holders are designed for the shorter tea light candles, approximately 1-1.5 inches tall. Votive candles are typically 1.5-3 inches tall, so they may look disproportionately tall in a tea light holder designed for shorter candles. The visual effect may not be as attractive. Make sure to test the look before displaying votive candles in tea light holders.

Advantages

One of the main advantages of using votive candles in tea light holders is cost savings. Votive candles are generally cheaper than tea light candles. Tea light holders are also very inexpensive and easy to find. By using votive candles in existing tea light holders that you may already have, you can save money compared to purchasing brand new tea light candles and holders (Source 1).

Another advantage is convenience. If you already own tea light holders, it’s convenient to be able to reuse them with votive candles instead of having to purchase new votive candle holders. Tea light holders are common in many households, so taking advantage of what you already have on hand helps minimize trips to the store. Repurposing tea light holders as votive holders adds versatility and flexibility (Source 2).

Disadvantages

There are some potential downsides to using votive candles in tea light holders:

Safety risks if holder is too small – Votive candles are generally wider than tea lights. Trying to fit a votive in a holder meant for a tea light runs the risk of the holder being too small and unstable. This could potentially tip over the candle, causing a fire hazard. Always check that the holder is wide enough and sturdy enough to securely contain the votive candle.

Aesthetics may not be ideal – Tea light candle holders come in many decorative shapes and styles meant to complement the proportions of tea lights. The shape and size of a votive may look awkward, bulky, or overwhelm a delicate tea light holder. The candlelight glow through the holder could also be impacted. Consider the proportions and visual appeal when using a votive in a tea light holder.

Recommendations

When using votive candles in tea light holders, it’s important to take safety precautions. Here are some tips:

First, always test the fit before burning the candle. Put the unlit votive into the tea light holder to ensure it fits properly and doesn’t tip or wobble around (Wedding Bee). An improper fit could lead to hot wax spilling out and creating a fire hazard.

Next, trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to prevent smoking and rapid consumption of wax. Long wicks cause bigger flames that produce more heat than the holder may be designed for.

Also, place the holder on a stable, heat-resistant surface. Don’t put it directly on wood, plastic, or glass. Use a metal tray or flame-retardant coaster for protection.

Check the candle frequently as it burns. Extinguish it if the wax pool comes close to the holder rim to prevent overflow. Allow the wax to cool completely before handling.

Never leave a burning votive unattended. Keep candles away from drafts and vents that could accelerate melting. Don’t place multiple votives too close together or their combined heat could melt holders.

With proper precautions, tea light holders can be used for votives. But always test fit and monitor the candle closely for safe burning.

Conclusion

In summary, votive candles are generally a bit taller and wider than tea light candles. Tea light candle holders also tend to be snugly fitted to tea light dimensions. While it is sometimes possible to fit a votive candle into a tea light holder, the fit is often precarious. Key factors to consider are the specific dimensions of the candles and holders being used, whether the holder is adjustable at all to accommodate larger candles, and any safety issues like tipping hazards. Ultimately, for the best fit and safety, it is advisable to use appropriately sized candles and holders. But in a pinch, votive candles can generally be used in tea light holders with care. To definitively answer the original question – yes, votive candles can technically fit inside tea light holders, but they may not always be the most secure option.