How Do You Light A Candle For Dummies?

Lighting candles is a simple task many people do for both practical and symbolic purposes. Whether you are lighting a candle to provide light, create a soothing ambiance, commemorate an occasion, or participate in a spiritual ritual, following some basic steps will help ensure it’s done safely and easily.

This guide will walk through the entire process from choosing the right candle and preparing the wick to lighting techniques and snuffing out the flame when finished. Proper candle safety will also be covered. By the end, you’ll know everything needed to successfully light a candle for any purpose.

Pick Your Candle

There are many different types of candles to choose from. Some common types include:

Taper candles – Tall, narrow candles that are typically used in candelabras. They are the most traditional candle shape.

Pillar candles – Cylindrical candles that come in a wide range of diameters and heights. Pillar candles are versatile and can be used on their own or in candle holders.

Votive candles – Small, short candles typically used in glass containers. Their short burn time makes them ideal for candle holders.

Tealight candles – Tiny candles encased in a thin metal or plastic cup. Tealights are designed to liquefy once lit.

Floating candles – Designed specifically for use in water. They have a hollow center to help them float.

When selecting your candle, consider factors like the candle’s shape, intended use, size of the wick, and burn time. Tealights and votives are great for containers, while taper and pillar candles can be used on their own. Choose an appropriate candle for the holder you wish to use.

Prepare the Wick

Properly preparing the wick is an important step before lighting your candle. Start by trimming the wick to 1⁄4 inch length using scissors or nail clippers. This helps establish an initial melt pool and prevents excessively large flames. Position the wick centered in the candle. For containers, ensure it is straight and centered. For freestanding pillars, the wick should stand upright.

The wick length can always be trimmed again after melting, but starting short helps prevent mushrooming or drowning of the wick. Make sure any wax balls or loose fibers are removed so the wick has space to breathe and ignite properly. Avoiding these steps can lead to poor sooting, tunneling, or drowned wicks.

Sources:
https://suppliesforcandles.co.uk/candle-college/how-to-make-a-candle-wick

Have Your Ignition Source Ready

When lighting a candle, it is important to have a proper ignition source ready before you begin. Some safe options for igniting candles include:

Matches – Make sure matches are kept far away from children and stored in a dry place. Strike the match away from your face and body. Hold the match at the end of the wick to ignite the candle.

Lighters – Use a utility or long-reach lighter to avoid burning your fingers when lighting candles. Avoid using pocket lighters which place your hand near the flame. Keep all lighters locked and stored safely away from children.

Lighting sticks/wand lighters – These allow you to light candles from a distance and avoid burns. Make sure any lighting wand is entirely extinguished after use.

According to the Candle Fire-Safety Rules, unsafe ignition sources like stovetops or pilot lights should never be used to light candles, as this can easily cause dangerous fires.

Whatever ignition method you choose, keep it close by but not directly next to the candle. This prevents accidental fires from igniting nearby objects or knocking the candle over.

Light the Candle

Lighting the candle is an important step that requires care and attention to safety. According to the Your Foolproof Guide to Burning a Candle Correctly, the first burn is the most important, so follow these tips for safely lighting your candle:

Make sure your matches or lighter are easily accessible before you begin. Avoid loose clothing that could catch fire when lighting. Keep your hair tied back.

Hold the flame to the very tip of the wick until it ignites. Hold it there for about 10 seconds so the wick can warm up and begin absorbing the wax. If the wick is having trouble staying lit, you may need to trim it shorter.

Tilt the candle to pool the wax before lighting if it is in a container. This helps the wick stay upright and absorb wax. Let the wax pool completely across the top before blowing out.

Keep the candle away from drafts that could blow it out after lighting. Watch the flame for a minute or two to ensure the wick is burning smoothly without sputtering.

Never leave a candle unattended after first lighting it. Stay nearby to monitor the candle as it adjusts to the flame. Snuff out the flame if it grows too large or erratic.

Let the Candle Burn

Once the candle is lit, it’s important to let the wax pool and melt evenly across the top before blowing it out. According to the National Candle Association, you should allow the wax to liquefy all the way across the top of the candle to get an even burn. This prevents tunnels from forming in the wax and allows the candle to burn longer. As tempting as it is, avoid blowing out the candle too soon. Let it burn for at least one hour the first time so all the wax can melt properly.

It’s also crucial not to move a burning candle, as this can cause hot wax to spill over the rim and lead to a fire hazard. The National Fire Protection Association states that you should never carry a lit candle or walk around with one. Set the candle in a stable holder on a sturdy, nonflammable surface. Don’t place it near any combustible materials like curtains. Let the candle remain stationary while burning until it can be safely extinguished.

Sources:

https://candles.org/candle-safety/

https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Top-fire-causes/Candles

Putting Out the Candle

When it’s time to put out your candle, you have a couple options. Many people instinctively want to blow it out. However, blowing out a candle can cause smoke and leave behind an unwanted scent. The recommended method is to use a wick dipper or snuffer to extinguish the flame.

A wick dipper is a small metal tool designed to pinch and bend the wick into the melted wax to put out the flame. This contains the smoke and prevents blowback. Simply place the wick dipper over the flame for a few seconds until it goes out. No smoke will escape.

Snuffers work similarly by cutting off the wick’s access to oxygen. Place the snuffer over the flame, covering it completely. Lift it after about 5-10 seconds once the candle is extinguished. This helps prevent smoke or fumes.

If you need to briefly put out the candle but plan to relight it shortly, these methods ensure an easy re-light without having to trim the wick. Blowing out the candle can damage the wick, making it harder to relight. With a wick dipper or snuffer, the wick stays intact.

Candle Safety

Candles can set the perfect mood and ambiance, but they also require some basic safety precautions. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), candles caused an estimated 8,200 home fires per year between 2014-2018, resulting in 90 deaths, 830 injuries, and $374 million in direct property damage annually. However, you can prevent candle fires by following some simple guidelines.

Always keep candles out of reach of children and pets. Young children should never be left alone in a room with a burning candle. Make sure to place candles up high, away from areas where kids and pets can knock them over. According to the NFPA, two out of five home candle fires started in the bedroom.

Never leave a burning candle unattended. Extinguish candles before leaving a room or going to sleep. Avoid moving a burning candle, as hot wax can drip and cause burns or ignite combustibles. Trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to avoid high flames. Always use candle holders that are non-combustible and won’t tip over easily (Source: https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/candles).

Keep candles away from flammable materials like curtains, upholstery, trees, wrappings, decorations or anything that can catch fire. Place on a stable, heat resistant surface. Burn candles out of drafts to avoid rapid, uneven burning and sooting. Extinguish taper and pillar candles if they bend over in the holder to avoid heat build-up. Avoid burning multiple candles close together as this can cause rapid wax pool evaporation and glass cracking.

Troubleshooting

Sometimes issues can arise when making and burning candles. Here are some common problems and solutions:

If your candle develops tunnels or holes while burning, the wick is likely too small for the candle diameter. Increase the wick size slightly for the next candle to provide more fuel for an even burn. See https://www.candlescience.com/wax/soy-wax-trouble-shooting-guide/ for wick sizing guides.

If the candle flame sputters or smokes, the wick may be too large. Use a smaller wick next time to prevent overheating the wax and generating excess soot. Proper wick sizing is critical for clean-burning candles. Refer to manufacturer guidelines based on your wax type and candle diameter. See https://villagecraftandcandle.com/blogs/news/top-10-candle-making-problems-and-how-to-solve-them for troubleshooting tips.

Wax discoloration can occur from overheating during pouring or burning. Maintain proper wax temperatures during candle making and trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to prevent soot deposits. See the candle maker’s guide for ideal wax pouring and burning temperatures.

Conclusion

Lighting a candle properly is easy when you follow some basic steps. To summarize, trim the wick, make sure the wax pool is melted, use a long lighter or match to reach the wick, don’t move the candle after lighting, and let it burn for at least 1-2 hours before blowing it out. Allow the wax to completely pool before relighting. With these simple guidelines, you’ll be able to enjoy your candle’s light and fragrance safely.

For more tips, check out the National Candle Association’s guide on candle care and burning. You can also find helpful videos on sites like YouTube demonstrating proper candle lighting techniques. With a little practice, lighting candles can become second nature.