How Long Does A Chesapeake Bay Candle Burn?

Chesapeake Bay Candles are one of the most popular candle brands in the United States. Known for their incredible scents and long burn times, these candles have developed a loyal following among candle enthusiasts.

The company was founded in 1994 in Maryland, near the Chesapeake Bay area. All their candles are still hand-poured in the United States using high quality wax and fragrances. Over the years, Chesapeake Bay Candles has expanded their product line to include jar candles, melt cups, fragrance oils, and more.

One of the reasons for their popularity is the proprietary blend of waxes they use, which results in an even, slow burn and stronger fragrance throw. Their unique jar shapes and captivating scents like lemon lavender, sandalwood vanilla, and cucumber melon also help set them apart from other brands.

With proper care, Chesapeake Bay Candles can provide 50+ hours of burn time. But how long one of their candles lasts depends on several factors.

What Makes Chesapeake Bay Candles Unique?

Chesapeake Bay Candles stand out from other brands thanks to their distinctive, all-natural soy wax formula. While many mass-produced candles use cheaper paraffin wax, Chesapeake Bay Candles contain 100% soybean wax. This natural wax comes from American soybean farmers and offers exceptional performance.

The soy wax formula has several advantages over paraffin. It has a lower melting point, so it melts evenly as the candle burns, which helps the wax pool properly. Soy wax also consumes cleaner than paraffin, without producing excess soot or smoke. Furthermore, soy wax contains no petroleum compounds, making Chesapeake Bay Candles an environmentally responsible choice.

In addition to natural soy wax, Chesapeake Bay Candles feature cotton wicks rather than artificial wicks. This also contributes to a cleaner, more even burn. Overall, the combination of soy wax and cotton wicks makes Chesapeake Bay Candles long-lasting, fragrant, and ecologically friendly.

Jar Size and Burn Times

Jar size is one of the key factors that determines how long Chesapeake Bay Candles will burn. Chesapeake Bay offers candles in different jar sizes ranging from 4oz votives to 22oz large jars. Here is a breakdown of approximate burn times based on jar size:

• 4oz Votive – 15-20 hours

• 6oz Small Jar – 30-35 hours

• 8oz Medium Jar – 40-50 hours

• 10oz Large Jar – 50-60 hours

• 12oz Extra Large Jar – 60-80 hours

• 16oz Grand Jar – 80-100 hours

• 22oz Estate Jar – 120-150 hours

As you can see, the larger the jar size, the longer the candle’s burn time. This is because larger jars simply hold more wax and fragrance oil. The 4oz votives have the shortest burn time at 15-20 hours, while the large 22oz estate jars have the longest burn time at 120-150 hours.

Wick Type and Burn Time

The wick is one of the most important factors that determines how long a Chesapeake Bay candle will burn. Chesapeake Bay offers candles with different wick types depending on the jar size and wax formula.

Smaller jars like the 3-ounce tin typically have a cotton wick, which provides a muted glow and scent throw. Cotton wicks burn slower and cooler than other wick types. You can expect approximately 15-20 hours of burn time from a 3-ounce candle with a cotton wick.

Larger jars from 22-ounces and up often have wood wicks. Wooden wicks crackle when lit, providing ambient sound as well as light. They also promote full wax pool melting. These wicks burn hotter and faster than cotton, providing 40-50 hours of burn time in a large jar candle.

Beeswax candles often have a braided flat cotton wick, designed to curl over as it burns so the flame stays close to the wax pool. Flat wicks provide a brighter flame than a standard round cotton wick, creating more scent throw. But they burn slower and cooler than wood wicks, giving around 30 hours of burn time in a 22-ounce beeswax candle.

No matter what size candle or wax type you choose, pay attention to the wick specifications. That will give you a good idea of how long your Chesapeake Bay candle will burn.

Fragrance and Burn Time

The strength of a candle’s fragrance can directly impact its burn time. Candles with light or mild scents will generally burn slower and longer compared to candles with very strong fragrances.

This is because intense fragrance oils release a higher concentration of scent molecules into the air. As more fragrance evaporates from the wax pool, the candle has to work harder to keep producing those aromas. This causes the wax to melt and liquefy at a faster pace. The larger wax pool also leads to a bigger flame, making the candle consume its wax more quickly.

On the other hand, candles with lighter scents don’t need to diffuse as much fragrance. The wax melts slower, the wick burns lower, and the candle preserves its wax supply longer. Testing has shown subtle floral or fresh scents can burn around 10-15% longer than bolder, richer fragrances.

So those looking to maximize burn time are better off choosing Chesapeake Bay’s lighter scented candles. But the candle’s scent is a personal preference, and many people feel the stronger fragrances are worth the trade off for shorter burn times.

Proper Burning Technique

To get the longest burn times from your Chesapeake Bay Candle, follow these tips for proper burning technique:

Trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch before lighting. This prevents excess smoke and uneven burning. Trim the wick before each use.

Allow the wax pool to completely liquefy across the entire top before extinguishing the flame. This helps the candle burn evenly and maximize how much wax is used.

Avoid drafts which can disrupt the melt pool. Drafts come from vents, fans, open doors/windows. Shield the candle from drafts.

Burn for at least 2-4 hours at a time. Shorter burn times can lead to tunneling.

Keep the candle away from other objects. Allow at least 4 inches of space all around.

Burn on a heat safe surface. Glass and metal work best.

Do not tilt or move the candle when lit. This can cause uneven melting.

Allow the wax to completely solidify before relighting. At least 2-4 hours.

Adhering to proper technique allows the wax to melt fully and evenly for maximum burn time.

Safety Considerations

When burning candles, always keep safety top of mind. Here are some key reminders:

• Never leave a burning candle unattended. Extinguish candles before leaving a room or going to sleep.
• Keep candles away from flammable objects like curtains, furniture, bedding and decorations. Allow at least 12 inches of space.
• Avoid burning candles near drafty areas or vents as this can cause rapid, uneven burning.
• Trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to avoid uncontrolled flame heights.
• Use a heat-resistant candle holder that is sturdy and won’t tip over easily.
• Don’t burn candles for more than 4 hours at a time, as extensive burning can cause breakage or odd burning behaviors.
• Always use a candle snuffer or wet fingers to extinguish, never blow out candles forcefully.
• Keep candles up high, out of reach of children and pets.
• Never move or carry a burning candle. Wait for it to fully cool before repositioning.

Following basic precautions will help ensure safe, enjoyable candle burning.

Burn Time by Candle Type

Chesapeake Bay Candles come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each with their own unique burn times. The main types of Chesapeake Bay Candles include:

• Jars – These classic jars come in sizes ranging from 4oz to 22oz. The 4oz jars have an approximate burn time of 20 hours, while the large 22oz jars can burn for up to 120 hours.
• Tumblers – More portable than jars, tumblers range from 3oz to 20oz in size. A 3oz tumbler burns for around 15 hours, while the 20oz size offers a whopping 140 hours of burn time.
• Pillars – Standing tall and slender, pillars come in 2″x3″, 2″x6″, and 3″x6″ sizes. Expect around 30 hours for the smallest and up to 80 hours for the largest.
• Votives – These short 1.5oz candles are ideal for votive holders and tea lights. Each votive lasts approximately 10 hours.

In general, the larger the candle, the longer the burn time. But shape also plays a role, with tumblers often outlasting jars of the same weight in wax. Pillars and votives have shorter burn times due to their narrow shapes and smaller wax pools.

Maximizing Candle Burn Time

Here are some tips for making your Chesapeake Bay candles last longer so you can enjoy them for as long as possible:

Trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch before lighting. Long wicks cause candles to tunnel or burn unevenly, wasting wax and shortening burn time. Trim the wick with every few hours of burn time.

Allow the wax pool to fully liquefy before each lighting. This helps the candle burn evenly across the top. Avoid relighting candles when the wax pool still has a solid outer edge.

Burn candles in an area free of drafts. Air currents above the candle can cause uneven burning and faster wax melt. Avoid burning near vents, windows and frequently opened doors.

Keep wicks centered as the candle burns. Wicks that lean into the wax pool cause uneven melting. Gently straighten wicks back to the center as needed.

Extinguish candles if the wax pool reaches the outer edge. This prevents wasting wax by overheating and tunnelling the center. Allow the wax pool to solidify completely before relighting.

Burn candles for at least one hour per inch of diameter. Shorter burn times don’t allow the full wax pool to liquefy before extinguishing.

Place candles on a heat-safe surface. Allow at least 4 inches of space above and around candles. This prevents overheating and uneven melting.

Avoid drafts, vibrations and breezes around burning candles. Disruption of the flame causes faster, uneven wax melting.

Use a candle snuffer or silicone cap to extinguish, avoiding exhaling on hot wax or introducing moisture.

Store partially-burned candles with wick holes covered and upright if liquid wax remains. This helps preserve the burn time.

Conclusion

Chesapeake Bay Candles are popular for their long burn times and beautiful scents. There are several factors that affect how long each candle will burn:

• Jar size – Larger jars contain more wax and will burn longer.
• Wick type – Larger wicks typically burn faster than smaller wicks.
• Fragrance – Heavily scented candles tend to burn faster than lightly scented candles.
• Proper burning technique – Trim wicks to 1⁄4” before lighting, keep wicks centered in wax pool, and allow wax pool to completely melt on top before extinguishing the flame.
• Candle type – Pillars, votives, and containers have varying burn times.

Following the proper burning techniques and matching the wick size to the jar size will help maximize burn time. With the wide range of sizes, scents, and styles, Chesapeake Bay Candles allow you to find the perfect candle to fill your space with fragrance for hours of enjoyment.