How Do You Burn A Yankee Candle First?

An Overview of Yankee Candles and the Importance of Proper First Burns

Yankee Candles are an iconic American brand known for their long-lasting, highly scented candles. The company was founded in 1969 by Michael Kittredge, who made the first Yankee Candle as a gift for his mother in his parents’ garage [1]. Today, Yankee Candle offers a wide variety of candle scents and products, but their traditional jar candles remain a customer favorite.

Properly burning a new Yankee Candle jar for the first time is important to maximize performance and fragrance. The first burn allows the wax to melt evenly and the candle to create a wax “pool” – an essential part of the candle’s design. This article will provide tips on how to properly burn a new Yankee Candle jar from start to finish for optimal results.

Selecting the Right Location

When burning a Yankee Candle for the first time, it’s important to select the right location for safety and optimal performance. Choose an area with good airflow but away from drafts that could blow out the flame. Position the candle on a stable, flat, heat-safe surface. Avoid placing near curtains, fabric, books, and other flammable materials as the flame can reach 2-3 inches high (Yankee Candle).

Pick a spot that allows you to keep an eye on the burning candle – never leave it unattended. Many people enjoy placing Yankee Candles on a mantle, table, countertop, or shelf at a height where the fragrance can be enjoyed in a central living area. Just make sure the location is at least 3-4 feet from areas with high foot traffic to prevent accidentally tipping it over (Yankee Candle).

Trimming the Wick

Properly trimming the wick before lighting a Yankee Candle for the first time is a crucial step to ensure optimal performance. According to Yankee Candle, the wick should be trimmed to 1/4 inch before lighting to allow for proper melting and an even burn [1]. This initial trim establishes the appropriate flame size for the first burn.

Use sharp scissors or a dedicated candle wick trimmer tool to trim the wick. Avoid using your fingers to pinch the wick, as this may contaminate the wick with oils from your skin. Trim just the dark tip of the wick, taking care not to trim into the wax or cut the wick too short. Proper wick length helps prevent issues like tunneling, soot, and an uneven melt pool.

For safety, trim over a trash can to catch any wick trimmings. Work carefully to avoid injury from sharp tools or hot wax. Wear eye protection if needed. Allow trimmed wicks to fully cool before lighting the candle to prevent flare-ups.

Allowing the Candle to Pool

An important step when burning a Yankee Candle for the first time is allowing the wax to pool completely. Pooling refers to melting the top layer of wax across the entire surface of the candle. When burning a candle for the first time, it’s recommended to allow the wax to pool fully in order to achieve optimal melt and an even burn.

Allowing the candle to reach its maximum melt pool on the first burn helps the wax to adhere evenly to the sides of the jar or container. This allows the candle to burn more efficiently on subsequent burns. If the wax is not allowed to pool fully on the first burn, tunneling can occur where wax on the sides does not melt evenly.

For large Yankee Candles, the recommended first-time melt pool depth is approximately 1/2 inch. Allowing wax to pool deeper than 1/2 inch the first time can cause issues with glass cracking or wick drowning. Properly pooling the candle fully from edge to edge will create a wax pool with a consistent depth for ideal performance.

Burn Time

The first burn for a Yankee Candle is the most crucial, as it helps the wax pool properly. According to Yankee Candle, you should allow the candle to burn for 4 hours the first time. This initial burn time allows the wax to melt evenly across the top of the candle, creating the wax pool. A full wax pool helps the candle burn more efficiently during subsequent burns.

During the first burn, check the candle occasionally to make sure the wax is pooling properly without getting too close to the side of the jar. Some signs that the candle is ready to extinguish after the first 4 hour burn are:

• The wax has pooled evenly across the top leaving no edges.
• The wax pool has reached about 1/2 inch from the side of the jar.
• The wax pool is free of unmelted wax chunks.

Allowing the candle to burn longer on the first burn can cause more pronounced edge curling on the wax pool. According to House Beautiful, limiting the first burn prevents this curling and allows for better wax pooling.

Cooling and Second Burn

After burning your Yankee Candle for the recommended time, you’ll need to allow it to cool completely before lighting it again for a second burn. This is an important step that helps preserve your candle and ensure it burns evenly.

In general, you should allow at least 2-4 hours for a large Yankee Candle to cool. Smaller candles may only need 1-2 hours. The wax needs time to re-harden and stabilize.

Here are some tips for cooling your candle properly:

• Don’t blow out the flame – this can cause smoke trails in the melted wax.
• Trim the wick to 1⁄4” before extinguishing.
• Let the candle cool undisturbed, away from drafts.
• Wait until the wax has fully hardened and is opaque, not transparent.
• Check that the wax has pulled away from the sides of the jar, with no oily residue.

When you’re ready for the second burn, carefully trim the wick again if needed before lighting. The second burn will help your candle form an even wax pool.

Don’t be alarmed if the second burn produces more smoke at first as the candle adjusts. Trim the wick as needed and make sure not to exceed the recommended burn time.

With proper cooling and second burns, you’ll get the most out of your Yankee Candles!

Troubleshooting

Yankee Candles are designed to burn evenly without issues, but sometimes problems can occur like tunneling where the wax melts unevenly. According to the Yankee Candle Customer Service page, this is often caused by burning the candle in a drafty area or not allowing the wax to pool completely.

To fix tunneling, trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch before each burn. Make sure to burn the candle in an area free from drafts for at least 4 hours so the wax can pool properly across the entire top. The Basic Candle Care page recommends pouring hot water over the melted wax to level it, but warns against scraping wax while the candle is lit.

If the candle continues tunneling after multiple proper burns, it may need to be discarded and replaced. The wax pool should be even with no welling or recesses. If the wick is consuming wax unevenly or becoming very close to the glass, it is a sign to stop usage and get a new candle.

Safety Tips

When burning Yankee Candles, be sure to follow these safety tips:

Fire safety is extremely important. Keep candles away from flammable items like curtains, furniture, bedding, books, etc. Place candles on a sturdy, nonflammable surface. Never leave a burning candle unattended. Extinguish candles before going to sleep.

Supervise children and pets around burning candles. Do not let children or pets touch or move a lit candle.

Watch for warning signs like soot buildup, mushrooming, or flickering flames which can indicate unsafe conditions. Trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to prevent issues.

Ventilate the room when burning candles. Keep windows cracked or use fans to allow oxygen flow. Lack of airflow can cause issues like tunneling.

Read and follow all safety information provided on the candle label and Yankee Candle’s website like recommended burn times. Overheating wax can be dangerous.

Use caution with candle warmers, allowing wax to fully melt before moving. Discontinue use if issues occur.

In summary, exercise caution with open flames. Be present, provide ventilation, and watch for problems when enjoying Yankee Candles.(1)

Proper Storage

Properly storing your Yankee Candle between burns is crucial for maximizing its life and preserving its scent. Here are some tips for storage:

• Keep the candle covered – Replace the lid securely after each use. This will help lock in fragrance and prevent dust and debris from collecting on the wax surface.
• Store upright – Yankee Candles should be stored vertically, not on their side. This prevents the wax from spreading out and losing its shape.
• Put it somewhere cool – Avoid placing your candle near a heat source like a stove or radiator. The ideal storage temperature is around 60-80° F.
• Protect from light – Direct sunlight and bright lighting can accelerate fading of the candle’s scent. Store it somewhere away from light sources.
• Allow the wax to harden – Before storing, let the melted wax fully harden and cool. This will help the candle retain its shape and burn more evenly next time.
• Never refrigerate – While it may seem logical, do not store a candle in the refrigerator or freezer. This can actually lead to cracking of the wax.

With proper care between usages, your Yankee Candle will maintain its signature scent and provide many more hours of enjoyable burn time.

Conclusion

To recap, there are crucial steps to follow when burning a Yankee Candle for the first time to ensure the best performance and scent throw. Selecting the right location away from drafts, trimming the wick to 1⁄4 inch, allowing the candle to form a complete melt pool, and adhering to recommended burn times are essential. Always allow the candle to cool completely between burns. If you experience issues like tunneling, sooting, or poor scent throw, troubleshooting steps like re-trimming the wick can help. Proper wick maintenance, not burning the candle for more than 4 hours at a time, and keeping it covered when not in use are key for safety and preserving the candle’s life. The Yankee Candle company guarantees your satisfaction with their candles. If you need help or have any other questions, you can contact their helpful customer service team by phone at 1-877-803-6890 or email at [email protected].

With these tips in mind, you can maximize enjoyment of your Yankee Candles for many hours of high-quality burn time. Now that you know the ins and outs of properly burning a Yankee Candle from the first light, you can sit back and relax while filling your space with beautiful fragrance.