What Is The Candle That Burns Into Another Candle?

A pass-through candle, also known as a tunnel candle or candle tree, is a specialized candle designed with holes to allow multiple wicks to burn through it. As the candle burns down, new wicks are revealed in the holes, creating a continuously-burning effect. Pass-through candles have become popular holiday decorations, especially around Christmas, due to their warm lighting and long-burning capability. The origins of pass-through candles can be traced back centuries to Colonial America, when the candles served both decorative and functional purposes in homes.

What is a Pass-Through Candle?

A pass-through candle, also known as a candle within a candle or a candle tunnel, is a specialty candle design where there are two nested candle wicks and two concentric rings of wax – an inner candle encased within an outer candle casing.[1]

As the outer candle burns down, it reveals the unburned candle inside. The inner candle has its own separate wick that ignites once the outer candle has burned down far enough to expose it. The inner candle then continues burning on its own after the outer candle has finished burning.

The distinguishing design feature is that there are two wicks, staggered at different heights. The wick for the outer candle is taller. As it burns down, the inner candle’s shorter wick is eventually exposed so it can be lit. This allows the overall candle to have an exceptionally long burn time, as it essentially contains two candles within one vessel.

The candle wax around the inner wick is completely surrounded and insulated by the outer wax layer so it remains unmelted and protected as the outer candle burns. The outer wax burns away first, acting as a self-consuming surrounding wall until the inner candle is uncovered and ready to take over the burning.

Origins and History

The origins of pass-through candles can be traced back to early American colonial times. In the 1700s, many homes did not have glass windows, so candle light could be seen from the outside shining through the windows made of oiled paper or cloth. It became a tradition for colonial families to place a lit candle in the front window of their homes in the winter months. This “candle in the window” served as a beacon of hope and signal of warmth and welcome to any passerby or traveler seeking food and shelter (The Walpole Clarion, 2019).

Over time, special pass-through candles were developed that allowed the candle to burn through its own wax and last for many hours. The longer burn time enabled the candle’s welcoming signal to be maintained through the long cold nights. Pass-through candles became associated with winter holidays and religious occasions when lighting candles held significance. By the mid-1800s specialized pass-through candles were popular items produced by candle makers in America and Europe (Wasatch Shutter, 2023).

Materials Used

Pass-through candles primarily use wax for the candle materials. The most common types of wax used are paraffin wax, soy wax, beeswax, and palm wax. Paraffin wax is a petroleum-based wax that is commonly used for its low cost and high availability. Soy wax is made from soybeans and is often used for its renewable and sustainable properties. Beeswax is made from bees and has a natural honey aroma. Palm wax comes from the leaves of palm trees and provides good scent throw.

The wicks used in pass-through candles are usually standard cotton or paper cored wicks that are sized appropriately for the candle diameter. Cotton cored wicks tend to burn cleaner while paper cored wicks allow for more flexibility in wick sizing. Most pass-through candles use a single wick design. The wick thickness is matched to the wax type and candle diameter to ensure proper melting and an even burn.

Some key properties to consider for pass-through candle wicks and wax include melt point, burn time, and scent throw. The materials are chosen to allow the candle to burn evenly through the pass-through opening without too much dripping or residue buildup.

Source:
https://www.candlemakingsupplies.net/wax-additives-everything-candle-makers-need-to-know

Manufacturing Process

Pass-through candles are made using a specialized manufacturing process that allows two candles to be connected. The process starts with preparing the wax. Paraffin wax is commonly used, which is derived from petroleum. The wax is melted down into a liquid state and dyes or fragrances can be added at this point to color or scent the candles.

The wicks are prepared by threading them through small metal pieces called tabbing. This allows the wick to be held in place during production. The wicks are then dipped into the melted wax to apply the first layer around the wick.

For pass-through candles, two sets of wicks on either side are prepared. The candle molds have small openings on each side to allow the wicks to pass through. As the candles are built up by repeatedly dipping the wicks into the wax, the openings allow the wicks to meet and connect in the center while the wax layers build up on either side.

This enables a unique design where two separate candles are joined by a connected wick in the center. The candles can then be removed from the molds and packaged together as pass-through candles. Proper wick positioning and mold openings are critical to ensure the wicks meet properly during manufacturing. This specialized technique results in the unique candle design where two candles burn down and connect.[1]

Design Variations

Pass-through candles come in a wide variety of styles, shapes, and colors to suit different décor preferences.

Some of the most common design variations include:

• Mini and pillar styles – These tall, narrow candles often have small cut-outs or votives embedded inside.

• Square and rectangular – The straight lines of these candle designs allow for intricate cut-out patterns.

• Round and oval – Circular pass-through candles may feature floral shapes or swirling designs.

• Color – While most are white or ivory, some are dyed in colors like red, blue, pink, or purple.

• Materials – Natural beeswax and soy wax are popular choices, as are paraffin and palm wax blends.

• Shapes – Cut-out shapes range from simple circles to elaborate botanical motifs like leaves, petals, and blossoms.

The options are nearly endless, allowing for customizable and artistic candles perfect for any décor style.

Usage and Burning

Proper usage and burning times are important for candle safety. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), you should not burn a candle for more than 4 hours at a time before extinguishing it and trimming the wick (https://www.osmology.co/pages/candle-safety).

There should be at least 1 meter (3 feet) between the candle flame and anything above it that could catch fire. Always place candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface away from drafts. Metal, glass, or ceramic saucers specifically made for candles are ideal. According to the NFPA, you should never leave a burning candle unattended or go to sleep while a candle is still lit (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8edehaNxm9Y).

Burn candles in an open area and keep them away from combustible materials like curtains, upholstery, bedding, paper, flammable decorations, etc. Do not burn a candle all the way down to the end of its wick. Extinguish pillar candles when 2 inches remain and votives when 1/2 inch remains.

In summary, for safety always monitor burning candles, keep them on proper candle holders on a heat-safe surface, burn for limited times, keep away from flammables, and extinguish before the end of the wick.

Popular Brands

Some of the top brands producing pass-through candles include Yankee Candle, Otherland, and Homesick. Yankee Candle is one of the most well-known candle brands and offers a wide variety of pass-through candle designs. Otherland is a popular luxury candle brand that uses creative containers and fragrances in their pass-through candles. Homesick creates pass-through candles based on different states, cities, and memories that customers can personalize. Other top brands for creative and unique pass-through candle designs include Voluspa, Boy Smells, and P.F. Candle Co.

Costs

The pricing of pass-through candles can vary greatly depending on factors like materials, labor, custom designs, etc. However, there are some general guidelines for pricing these specialty candles.

According to How to price your candles, a traditional pricing formula is to charge 2-4 times your material costs. So if wax, wicks and fragrance cost $5 per candle, you may charge $10-20 retail per candle. This allows you to cover overhead costs and make a profit.

Another factor is labor. Handmaking pass-through candles is time intensive. You may account for several hours of labor per candle in your pricing. At $15/hr, even 3 hours of work would add $45 to the cost.

Finally, some suppliers offer candle cost calculators online. This allows you to enter your exact materials and get an estimated base cost per candle. You can then decide the right markup for your brand and target customer.

In summary, pass-through candles may retail from $20 for simple designs, up to $50-60+ for more complex or custom pieces. But using a standard 2-4X markup on material costs is a good starting point to price these unique candles profitably.

Conclusion

In summary, pass-through candles are a unique type of candle that has multiple wicks, allowing the candle to burn through itself and reveal designs, colors, or scents as it goes. The wicks are carefully arranged so that as the candle burns down, the flame ignites the next wick in sequence. This creates an interactive experience for the candle burner.

Pass-through candles first emerged in the 1990s but became more popular in the 2000s as manufacturers experimented with different shapes, designs, and materials. Today they are made from paraffin, soy, or beeswax and come in various forms like pillars, tumblers, or votives. The manufacturing process involves meticulous wick placement to ensure proper burn through.

Lighting a pass-through candle is an enjoyable activity as you see the candle transform through each stage. The multi-sensory experience of revealing colors, designs, and scents makes pass-through candles a novelty item that can be used on special occasions or given as gifts. With proper care and wick trimming, pass-through candles can provide hours of mesmerizing entertainment.