How Long Should A Yankee Candle Last?
Yankee Candles are incredibly popular throughout the United States and beyond. Known for their distinct scents and long burn times, millions of Yankee Candle jars are sold each year. But a common question from Yankee Candle enthusiasts is, “How long should my Yankee Candle last?” This article will dive into the different factors that impact burn time for the various Yankee Candle products.
What Impacts Burn Time?
There are several factors that impact how long a Yankee Candle will last before it burns out completely:
Size of Candle
The larger the candle, the longer it will burn. The standard large jars that are 22 oz will burn for approximately 150 hours whereas the smaller 6 oz jars only burn for about 50-60 hours.
Wick Type
Different wick types are engineered to burn at different rates. Larger candles have bigger wicks designed for a slower burn, maximizing burn time. Smaller candles have smaller wicks designed for a quicker burn.
Fragrance Type
Some fragrance oils burn faster than others, impacting burn time. For example, fruity or sweet fragrances tend to burn quicker while earthy/woodsy fragrances may burn slower.
Burning Conditions
Environmental factors like temperature, airflow, etc. can impact burn time. Candles will burn slower in cooler conditions with less airflow versus warmer, drafty conditions where the flame gets more oxygen.
Standard Jar Candles
The standard Yankee Candle jar comes in a variety of sizes, from a tiny 4oz candle to a large 34oz jar. As the size of the jar increases, so does the burn time.
Small Jars (4-8oz): The smallest 4oz and 6oz jar candles typically provide 15-20 hours of burn time. The 8oz jars often last for around 30 hours on average.
Medium Jars (10-22oz): The mid-sized 10oz, 12oz, 16oz, and 22oz jar candles offer anywhere from 45 hours to 80 hours of burn time on average. So you can expect them to last 2-3 days if burning them for 4 hours each day.
Large Jars (24-34oz): For Yankee Candle’s largest jar sizes, from 24oz on up to 34oz, you’re looking at burn times of 80-110 hours. The biggest 34oz candles can provide more than 4 days of continuous burn time.
Votive and Tea Light Candles
Votive and tea light candles from Yankee Candle tend to have shorter burn times compared to the standard jar candles. This is because of their smaller size and the fact that most votives and tea lights are unscented. Here are some typical burn time ranges:
- Tea lights – Up to 4-6 hours
- Votive candles – Up to 15-20 hours
- Scented votive candles – Up to 8-15 hours
So you can expect your Yankee Candle votives and tea lights to last anywhere from 4 hours on the low end up to 20 hours on the high end. The specific burn time will depend on factors like scent, wax blend, and wick type. But in general, the votives and tea lights will not burn as long as the larger jar candles.
Pillar Candles
Pillar candles typically have longer burn times compared to other candle types because of their large wax pools and thick diameters. The burn time can range quite a bit with pillars based on their size:
- Small pillar candles around 3-4 inches tall tend to last for 15-20 hours.
- Medium sized pillars around 6-8 inches tall will burn for 30-50 hours.
- Large pillars from 8-12 inches tall can provide up to 80 hours of fragrance.
- Extra large pillars taller than 12 inches may burn over 100 hours.
As you can see, a 6 inch pillar and a 10 inch pillar of the same wax type can have vastly different burn times. The taller the candle, the more wax it contains and the longer it will burn. Pillar candles are great options for long-lasting ambiance.
Tumbler Candles
Yankee Candle’s tumbler candles are a popular pick for many candle enthusiasts. These medium-sized candles come in Yankee’s signature clear glass containers that showcase the colors and textures of the wax inside.
Tumblers have a burn time that’s slightly shorter than their standard jar counterparts, but still impressive. A medium 7-9 oz tumbler candle will provide 35-45 hours of fragrance. The larger 15-22 oz options offer 60-80 hours of burn time.
For maximum life, keep wicks trimmed to 1⁄4 inch as the candle burns down. Trim wicks just before lighting, as this helps the wax pool evenly as the candle melts. Avoid drafts and open windows which can disrupt the melt pool. Allow the wax pool to solidify completely before relighting to get the longest burn times. With proper care, tumblers can provide weeks of home fragrance.
Outdoor Candles
Outdoor candles like citronella candles or candles meant for patio and outdoor use have some additional factors that impact burn time compared to indoor candles.
Wind and weather are major influences on how quickly outdoor candles burn. On windy days, flames flicker more rapidly, drawing up more melted wax. This can shorten burn times to just a fraction of what they would be indoors without drafts or wind.
Likewise, humidity impacts burn time for outdoor candles. More humid environments make it harder for wax to liquefy and draw up through the wick. Candles may struggle to stay lit or tunnel in humid outdoor conditions.
It’s best to protect outdoor candles from wind by placing them in glass containers or lanterns. Avoid leaving outdoor candles out in the rain, as water will extinguish the flames. Consider moving outdoor candles to a covered area or bringing them indoors in very windy, wet, or humid weather to preserve burn time.
Also, make sure outdoor candle containers have drainage holes so rainwater doesn’t pool at the bottom and drown the flames. Place candles on surfaces that won’t be damaged or stained by wax pooling underneath.
With some protective measures and close monitoring of weather conditions, you can enjoy outdoor candles and optimize their burn times.
Jar Candle Tips
There are a few simple tips to follow to help maximize the burn time for Yankee Candle’s popular jar candles:
- Trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch before lighting. This prevents the wick from getting too large and creating excess soot.
- Allow the wax pool to melt all the way to the edges on the first burn. This helps prevent tunneling.
- Keep subsequent burns to 4 hours or less. Longer burns can cause the wick to drown and create a poor flame.
- Allow the wax pool to solidify completely before relighting. This helps the candle burn evenly.
- Burn jar candles for at least 2-3 hours each time to maintain an even wax pool.
- Avoid drafts which can cause the candle to burn unevenly.
- Use a candle warmer if you prefer not to burn the candle to maximize scent throw.
- Rotate the jar occasionally while burning to promote even melting.
Following these tips will help Yankee Candle jar candles burn slower and more efficiently for the longest duration.
Proper Burning
Proper candle burning is important to maximize burn times. Here are some general tips:
- Trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to avoid emissions and sooting.
- Burn candles in a well-ventilated room, avoiding drafts or wind.
- Allow the wax pool to form completely across the top before extinguishing the flame.
- Keep wicks centered while burning and trim off any excess as needed.
- Allow the candle to burn for at least 2-3 hours per lighting to avoid tunneling.
- Use a wax saver or candle snuffer to extinguish flames.
- Match wax pool diameter to container width for ideal melt.
- Avoid burning multiple candles too close together.
- Don’t move candles while wax is still liquid.
Following proper burning practices will help candles last longer and burn more evenly down to the bottom.
Conclusion
The burn time for Yankee Candles can vary quite a bit depending on the type, size, and conditions in which it is burned. However, there are some general guidelines:
– Standard 22oz jar candles typically last between 75-150 hours.
– Smaller votive and tea light candles burn for 4-16 hours.
– Large pillar candles can provide anywhere from 80-120+ hours of burn time.
– Tumbler candles tend to burn for 50-80 hours.
– Outdoor candles in glass burn for 20-30 hours.
To maximize burn time, keep the wax pool free of debris, trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting, allow the wax pool to completely liquefy on each burn, and make sure the candle is out of drafts. With proper care, Yankee Candles can provide many hours of fragrance and ambiance in your home.