Beeswax pillar candles are a lovely choice for anyone who enjoys the slow, quiet burn of a candle. Beeswax is natural, it burns very cleanly, and it has a light scent that people often enjoy. Many beeswax candles come in pillar form since this type of candle is easy to pour and can be displayed in a wide variety of candle holders. But how do you go about burning a beeswax pillar candle properly? Here are four tips to help you out.
Remove any labels before you light the candle.
Some beeswax candles have stickers or wrappers on the outside. These are meant to be removed before you light the candle. If you light the candle with the sticker or wrapper on, it may get warm and stick to the candle too tightly, eventually distorting the shape of the candle as it burns.
Trim the wick.
If the candle wick is longer than 1/4 inch, trim it before you light a candle. You can simply use a pair of scissors and snip the extra wick material off. Candles with wicks that are too long generate a lot of soot, which will leave black marks on anything that's around your candle. Remember to re-trim the wick before each burning session, if needed.
Hug the candle in as it starts to tunnel.
A pillar candle will typically burn down the center, leaving a ring of soft but unburned wax around the outside. The nice thing about beeswax candles is that this unburned wax is nice, soft, and malleable when the candle has just been lit. So, after you blow the candle out, use your hands to hug that exterior wax back in towards the middle of the candle. This will allow it to burn the next time the candle is lit.
Burn the candle for several hours.
You should never light a beeswax candle for just a few minutes at a time. Doing so causes the candle to tunnel, or burn down the middle without the outside becoming warm and melting. Only light your beeswax candle when you plan on keeping it lit for a few hours, at least.
With these tips, you can have a better experience lighting and using your beeswax candle. You may even decide you want to stock up on beeswax candles to use again and again. They can be a real pleasure to light and enjoy on a chilly night.
