extra tips


Wood wick candles require more attention and care than your typical cotton wick candle.
 
Please follow the tips below for best results:
 

The first time you light your candle is the most important to ensure longevity of your candle. You must allow the candle to achieve a full melt pool across the surface, as candles have a memory and by letting this occur, you will ensure even burning and maximum scent throw for the duration of your candle's life and this also helps to avoid tunnelling of the candle's wax. This is typically achieved in 2-4 hours. 

For all future burns we recommend 2-4 hours each time to enable the wax to create the same melt pool. At the bare minimum we recommend not burning for less than an hour or more than 4 hours at a time. Allow your candle to cool for a minimum of 2 hours before trimming the wick and relighting to prolong the life of the candle.

If a full melt pool is not achieved due to a short burn time your candle may experience what's known as 'tunnelling', where there is an impression made within the wax of your candle. This can effect all subsequent burns, as the wax will struggle to melt around the edges of the tunnel that has been created. This will continue until the candle struggles to stay lit at all due to the lack of oxygen reaching the wick.
So, make sure you burn your candle long enough for it to melt to the edges of the jar. Also keep in mind that it is normal for wood wicks to have a small flame during different stages of the candles' burn.

Trimming your wick before every single burn is also a necessary step to maximise the burn time, scent throw and safety of your candle. Keep it to 2-5mm. Yes, millimetres! Wooden wicks tend to snap off quite easily to this length, just make sure you keep the candle clear of any trimmings or debris at all times by using a soft bristle brush or tissue. Nail clippers or wick trimmers are also handy tools to do this.

If you do experience tunnelling with your candle, you can follow the steps below to reset its memory and prolong its life:

 Let your candle burn for several hours until a full melt pool is achieved. As mentioned, the flame on wood wick candles can become quite small at times so this full melt pool may take longer than 4+ hours. Make sure you are ready for this commitment when you light your candle to reset it!

 If your candle is struggling to stay lit at all, blow it out and soak up some excess wax with paper towel. In this instance, your wick is quite literally drowning and needs more oxygen! Repeat several times if necessary.

 Wrap a piece of aluminium foil around the edges of the jar to trap in the heat and let the candle burn. Ensure the foil hangs over the edge(s) with the built-up wax but be sure to leave an opening for the flame! Depending on the thickness of the tunnelling, the time required for this may vary. Make sure you keep an eye on your candle at all times and remove the foil once the edges have melted.

We hope you enjoy your wood wick candle as much as we enjoyed making them. If you have any further questions or concerns, please reach out at info@bkncandleco.com or send us a message on Instagram.