How Does The Incredible Candle Work?

The incredible candle is a novelty candle that has gained popularity in recent years for its unique and entertaining lighting effect. Though a seemingly ordinary candle at first glance, when lit, the incredible candle produces an erratic and hypnotizing flame display unlike that of a regular candle.

While the origins of the incredible candle are unclear, it is believed to have first emerged as a novelty item in the early 2000s. The unusual candles seemed to capture people’s imaginations with their almost magical flame behavior. Their surge in popularity as gift items, entertainment at parties, and mesmerizing home decor has led to the incredible candle becoming a common sight in many households today.

Components

The incredible candle has three main components that enable it to burn in such a unique way: the wax, the wick, and the ignition component.

Wax

The wax used in the incredible candle is a special proprietary blend designed for a longer, cleaner burn. It has a high melting point which allows it to resist dripping and maintain its shape as it burns. The wax is also highly refined to burn slowly without producing smoke or soot.

Wick

The wick is made of braided cotton that has been treated to control the rate of burning. Its unique flat, wide design allows it to melt more wax at the top and keep the flame at an optimal temperature.

Ignition Component

At the base of the wick is a small metal disc component that produces a spark to initially light the candle when the ignition tab is pulled. This allows the candle to be lit without needing matches or a lighter.

Ignition Component

The ignition component on an incredible candle is what enables the candle to light itself automatically. It is made up of key chemical ingredients that produce a combustion reaction when exposed to oxygen.

The main chemical used is potassium chlorate, which is a strong oxidizing agent. This is combined with a reducing agent like sugar or sawdust. When potassium chlorate is mixed with the reducing agent and heated, it decomposes into potassium chloride and oxygen gas. The released oxygen then reacts rapidly with the reducing agent, causing combustion and ignition.

Other chemicals like iron powder can be added to the mixture to enhance the combustion reaction and produce sparks when lit. The chemicals are combined together in the right ratios and embedded into the top of the wick. When the candle is opened and exposed to air, the oxygen initiates the chemical reaction, generating enough heat and sparks to ignite the wick. This innovative ignition system allows the incredible candle to light itself every time.

The Wick

The wick is an essential component of a candle. It is the part that actually burns and provides the flame. Wicks are made from different materials depending on the type of candle.

Cotton is one of the most common materials used to make wicks. Cotton can come from various sources, but the most desirable is long-fiber cotton that provides a clean burn with little aftersmoke. Cotton wicks are often bleached and woven for strength and consistency.

For some candles, such as container candles, more specialized wicks may be used. These could include zinc or paper-cored wicks that are stiff enough to stand upright in the melted wax. Wicks may also be flat or square instead of round to provide a larger surface area for the flame.

In addition to material, wick width is an important factor. Wider wicks tend to provide larger flames but can get too hot. Most commonly, wicks are sized from #1 (the thinnest) to #20 (the thickest). Dipping wicks are generally #3 to #6 in width, while votive and container wicks range from #10 to #18.

Braiding is another technique used to strengthen wicks and control burning properties. A flat braid provides stability for free-standing candles. Square braids also enhance capillary action to deliver more wax. Some braided wicks even contain exotic materials like cottonseed fibers for performance benefits.

Wax

The wax used in incredible candles is typically made from paraffin, a petroleum byproduct. Paraffin wax has a low melting point between 50-70°C, making it an ideal material for candlemaking. The wax needs to liquefy at warmer room temperatures to be absorbed by the candle wick. Once lit, the liquified wax vaporizes and helps sustain the flame. Paraffin wax also produces minimal soot and smoke when burning, making for a clean burn.

Some incredible candles may use vegetable-based waxes like soy, palm, or beeswax. These natural waxes have different melting points, burn times, and scent throw than paraffin, producing unique candle properties. Beeswax, for example, has a very high melting point around 62-64°C, making it unsuitable for container candles. The type of wax impacts the candle’s structure, appearance, and burning characteristics.

Manufacturing Process

The incredible candle has a unique manufacturing process that allows it to ignite without a flame or spark. The components that make up the candle, including the ignition component, wick, and wax, are assembled in a specialized facility.

The process starts with the ignition component, which is made of a proprietary compound engineered to produce heat when a small electric current is applied. This compound is molded into a small disk and miniature heating filament is embedded within it.

Next, the wick is threaded through the wax form and its end is attached to the ignition component. The wax used in the incredible candle is a high-quality blend that maximizes burn time while minimizing smoke. This wax is poured into molds to create the candle shape.

As the last step, the wick and ignition component assembly is inserted into the wax form and secured. The entire candle is inspected to ensure proper construction. The components work seamlessly together to allow the candle to light with the touch of a button.

Lighting the Candle

Lighting a candle is a simple process that relies on the candle’s ignition component to get the wick burning. Most candles have a small piece of wire or cotton string that acts as the wick, with one end immersed in the wax and the other protruding from the top. Striking a match and holding the flame against the exposed wick will ignite the wick. As the wick burns, it melts the nearby wax which is then drawn up the wick via capillary action. This melted wax vaporizes and ignites to produce the flame. The ignition component helps initiate this process by providing a hot spot for the match flame to heat the wick enough to ignite it. Once lit, the wick will continue drawing up melted wax to fuel the flame until it is extinguished.

Burn Time

The burn time of an incredible candle refers to how long it will burn once lit. There are several factors that affect the burn time of an incredible candle:

Wick size – A larger wick will burn faster and hotter, reducing burn time. Most incredible candles use a braided or twisted cotton wick which burns slower.

Wax type – Some waxes like soy and beeswax have a lower melting point, causing the candle to burn faster. Most incredible candles use paraffin wax which has a higher melting point and slower burn.

Flame size – A higher flame melts more wax and shortens burn time. Incredible candles are designed to self-trim the wick as it burns to maintain an ideal flame height.

Candle size and shape – Large candles and candles with a greater surface area exposed to the flame will burn faster. Most incredible candles are sized to provide 25-30 hours of burn time.

With the optimal wick, wax, and shape, incredible candles are designed to provide consistent, long-lasting burn times. Proper wick trimming every few hours can help maximize burn time as well.

Uses

Incredible candles have some unique uses compared to regular candles. Their long burn times and ability to relight make them popular for outdoor use. Campers often bring incredible candles since they can withstand wind and last through the night. The military also uses them in the field since a single incredible candle can provide days of light from one lighting.

Another benefit is incredible candles can be extinguished and relit multiple times safely. This allows them to be used for emergency lighting at home. During a power outage, an incredible candle can be lit, put out when not needed, and easily rekindled later. Their versatility and long life make them a reliable lighting source when electricity is not available.

For meditative and ceremonial uses, incredible candles are valued for their consistent, even burn. Their slow meltable wax allows the flame to stay at the same height for hours, creating a peaceful ambiance. Many people prefer them over standard candles when creating a serene environment. Their ability to relight later also suits ceremonial uses that take place over multiple days.

Fun Facts

Incredible candles have a few fun and fascinating facts behind them:

The wicks are made from 100% cotton and go through an extensive braiding process to maximize capillary action. This allows the wax to travel up the wick and provide a nice even flame.

Paraffin wax used in incredible candles has a low melting point, which is why the candle melts nicely as it burns. Beeswax has a higher melting point, which is why beeswax candles tend to burn slower.

Incredible candles come in a huge variety of shapes, sizes and scents. Some of the most unique candle shapes include fruit shapes, animal shapes, and even automobile shapes!

Scented incredible candles use synthetic and natural fragrances to give off pleasing aromas. Some of the most popular scents are lavender, vanilla, pine, and clean cotton.

The burn time of an incredible candle can vary greatly depending on size, but generally ranges from 20-40 hours for a large 2-wick candle. Properly trimming the wick maximizes burn time.

Incredible candles make great gifts! They have universal appeal and come in attractive packaging. Many people buy them simply for decorative purposes.

Candle making can be traced back over 5,000 years to Ancient Egypt. Candles have come a long way since being made from animal fat!

Incredible candles are affordable luxuries that can make any room smell great. No wonder they remain so popular today.