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Designer Candles, Upscale Candles
why do I need to trim the wicks?
A short wick produces a smaller, more controlled flame that won't emit as much
smoke or a blackening of the glass due to an oversized flame.
What's the deal with the Mushroom?
When burning candles, the wick can/will develop a build up of carbon deposits
or a black mushroom. This mushroom is caused by a combination of things. The
most important is the high volume of fragrance oils. The wick serves as a straw
when burning, pulling the fragrance oil through the wax and releasing the fragrance
as it burns. When a mushroom is formed, extinguish the flame, let cool, trim
wick to ¼" and relight. Without this simple attention, the mushroom
could smoke and cause an over-sized flame resulting in a blackening or breaking
of the glass.
Which candle will produce the most fragrance?
More fragrance will be emitted from 5 and 3-wick containers. They produce the
largest pool of melted wax, therefore creating a larger "simmer pool" that
emits the fragrance.
How long should I burn my candle?
We recommend burning container candles long enough to create a pool of wax
covering the entire top of the container and pillar candles until a wax pool
almost spills over the side.
Will putting candles in the refrigerator make them burn longer?
Refrigerating candles before use will help them burn more slowly and evenly.
Candles should be wrapped in foil or plastic before refrigeration to prevent
the wicks from absorbing moisture.
Does Northern Lights
Candles use lead wicks?
Northern Lights Candles would like to assure you that we do not use lead wicks
in any of our products. Let it be known that lead-based wicks have been banned
for thirty years now. Most domestic candle manufacturers took lead out of
their wicks in the 1970s, though the Consumer Product Safety Commission in
1974 didn't find it a health hazard.
Why don’t Dripless candles drip?
There are several types of wax used in candles. Each has its own characteristics.
The wax used in most dripless candles contains styrene acid. This acid produces
a hard wax with a higher melting point than regular wax – more heat
is needed before it melts. The heat from the wick is not enough to melt the
wax around the outer edge of the candle so a solid wax rim holds in the pool
of liquid wax. The thicker the candle is, the less likely it is that the
heat from the wick will be able to melt the edges of the candle.
Why is my Dripless candle dripping?
Even Dripless candles will drip if there is a draft. Heat normally rises, but
if a draft blows hot air from the wick to one side, the hard edge will melt,
and the liquid wax will drip. A thick wick also helps prevent dripping since
it absorbs excess liquid wax, which then burns longer and doesn’t drip.
The wax in the wick burns off and there is no build-up. Another possibility
is if the candle were close to a window that is or has been exposed to the
sun (basically unevenly heating one side of the candle), it would be softer
on one side and could drip.
If you are burning a dripless candle and it is dripping, there are two easy
things you can do that could help:
1) To begin with, you should check the room for a breeze or draft. The easiest
way to check this is to light a candle and look at the flame. If the flame
is not moving, your Dripless candle will not drip, but if the flame is dancing,
you have a draft. This will cause the flame to burn one side of the candle
quicker, which causes the candle to drip.
2) The other problem may be that the wick is not centered in the candle. Simply
adjust the wick while the pool of wax is hot until it is in the center.
What makes a candle smoke?
A candle can smoke when it burns for several reasons:
1) First, and most common, the wick is too long. Try trimming the wick a little at a time (Wicks should be kept at 1/4" and the candle should be kept out of drafts) with a wick trimmer, old fingernail trimmers or small scissors. Light the candle between each trimming until the candle no longer smokes.
2) Second, the candle may have a property that prevents an even flow of wax into the wick. This can be caused by problems with the scented oils added to the candle during manufacturing or an abundance of non-emulsifiable dye (coloring that can not blend with the wax efficiently). If this is the problem, it may be impossible for the candle to ever burn properly. You may attempt to salvage the candle by pouring off some of the wax into a piece of aluminum foil (discard the foil properly, and responsibly). Remember; never pour wax into any of your drains. The problem may have been isolated to a particular portion of the candle.
3) Third, any form of draft can cause a wick to smoke too.
What makes a candle produce soot?
Candles also need the right amount of wax, air and wick to burn cleanly, so
as not create any significant soot. Candle soot is caused by factors such
as the length of the wick and the flame's lack of access to oxygen, which
causes an overproduction of carbon particles. Soot is the by-product of incomplete
combustion. Jar candles are especially prone to the problem.
Candles inside glass jars often produce more soot than freestanding candles
because, submerged in the jar, the wick has limited access to oxygen. The key
is to trim the wick just enough to eliminate the smoking, yet have it long
enough to maintain an adequate size flame to ensure that the candle will burn
clean out of the jar. Also, watch when you light the candle. Sometimes soot
is formed not by the burning, but by the match or lighter used to light the
wick, especially when the candle is deep inside the jar. Try long fireplace
matches or long handle lighters.
How can you get rid of soot?
The following soot removal techniques work in many cases, but not in every
case. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed
on cleaning solution packaging.
Very hot soapy water
Mild detergent and scourer
Natural orange cleaners
IINTERESTING FACTS ABOUT QUALITY CANDLES
Quality Votive Candles are designed to completely liquefy in order to throw
as much fragrance as possible into the room. All votive candles need to be
burned in a proper votive holder that fits its shape in order to get the
full burn time and fragrance from the candle.
Quality Pillar Candles are designed to leave a minimal outer shell of wax while burning. Pillars contain a higher melt point wax to hold their shape and offer a long burn time.
Quality Taper Candles burn slowly with a well formed flame. They are dripless and smokeless when burned properly out of drafts. Quality tapers are unscented and burn approximately one inch per hour.
Quality Jar Candles are designed to burn completely leaving little wax in the jar. Their fragrance is superb and their wax liquifies completely in order to throw its high quality fragrance efficiently. Copyright by Northern Lights.
