A hand-poured candle deserves more than being lit once and forgotten. With a little care, your candle burns evenly, throws scent beautifully, and lasts far longer. Here's everything we tell friends when they ask.
Respect the first burn
The most important burn is the first one. Wax has a memory — let the melt pool reach the edge of the jar on that first light, which usually takes two to three hours. Blow it out too early and the wax will tunnel, leaving a ring of unmelted wax around the edge for the rest of the candle's life.
Trim the wick before every light
Before each burn, trim the wick to about a quarter inch. A long wick burns hot, makes a taller flame, and creates soot. A short, clean wick gives you a steadier flame, a cleaner burn, and noticeably more hours from the same candle.
Mind where it lives
Keep candles away from drafts — open windows, fans, and busy doorways. A draft makes the flame flicker and the wax melt unevenly. And keep burning sessions to around four hours at a time; longer sessions overheat the jar and shorten the scent throw.
Put the jar to work afterwards
When about half an inch of wax remains, it's time to let the candle go. Pour in hot water to lift the last wax out, wipe clean, and the jar is ready for cotton balls, spices, or pens. It's a small way nothing goes to waste.
That's the whole ritual: a patient first burn, a quick trim, a sheltered spot. Your candles — and the evenings you spend with them — will be better for it.