How long should I burn my candle for?

If the candle hasn’t been lit for long enough, it will begin ‘tunnelling’.This is a term used to describe the deep ring around the edge of the candle. Most often, tunnelling occurs when an incorrect wick has been used and the candle burns down around the wick without reaching the edge, probably from lack of proper testing. Tunnelling is not to be confused with 'hang up' which is when some of the wax sticks to the sides, quite normal - and if wicked correctly, this will melt down into the candle as it burns down the vessel. Subsequent burns should be around 2-4 hours. A candle should not be lit for more than 4 hours. As it burns down, the vessel will get hotter due to the fact that the flame is more enclosed within it.  Whilst we want to burn the candle down to the last 1-2cm, we want it to be safe.
 
Why is it important to trim the wick?

Trim the wick to about 0.5cm each time it is lit, to enable a clean, even burn.
A build-up of carbon at the end of the wick can result in ‘mushrooming’ and this can inhibit the candle burning well and releasing the optimum aroma. We use a wick made from cotton and linen, which is less likely than other wicks to produce soot when burning.  

Why should I not let my candle burn right to the very bottom?

As a candle burns, it gets hotter the further down the vessel it goes. That is because the flame and the wax are now in a more enclosed space, and also because the although the flame is the same size, the wax is reducing. The closer to the base it gets, the heat will be closer to the surface it's sitting on. By extinguishing it at around 1-2cm from the base, it acts as a safety buffer.

How long will my candle last for?

As part of the testing process, the consumption rate of the candle is monitored. Obviously this is not an exact science as it will depend on how each person burns their candle. The longer a candle burns for, the hotter it becomes and therefore the quicker it will burn down. As already mentioned, as well as safety, ideally burning the candle for 2-4 hours each time will maintain the best consumption rate.  We aim that a 220g candle will burn for at least 40 hours, and a 180g candle will burn for approximately 30 hours.  Each wax melt should last for at approx 4 hours.

 
Safety Tips

• Keep out of reach of children and pets
• Never leave unattended.
• Trim the wick to 0.5cm before each burn.
• Light and burn on an even uncrowded surface.
• Burn in a draught free room.
• Extinguish candle 1-2 cm from the base of the vessel.
• Keep the vessel free from any loose particles which may have dropped into the melted wax.
• Keep well away from any flammable items.
• Ensure the candle is properly extinguished before leaving the room.
• Never extinguish a burning candle with water.