Hand Dipped Tapers: How to Burn Them Safely and Evenly

Quick Answer

To burn hand dipped taper candles safely and evenly, always trim the wick to 1/4 inch, use a proper taper holder, and let the wax pool reach the edge during the first burn.

How to Burn Hand Dipped Taper Candles Safely and Evenly

1. Trim the Wick to 1/4 Inch: Before each burn, use a wick trimmer or scissors to cut the wick to about 1/4 inch. A longer wick creates a larger flame, which can cause dripping, smoking, or uneven melting. Check the wick length every time—it's the most common cause of soot and drips.
2. Use a Proper Taper Holder: Insert the candle into a holder that fits snugly around the base. A loose holder can cause the candle to tilt, leading to uneven burning or wax spilling. For hand dipped tapers, a weighted or glass holder works best. Make sure the candle stands straight before lighting.
3. Burn for at Least One Hour per Inch of Diameter: Since these tapers are 0.85 inches in diameter, burn them for at least 50 minutes to one hour each time. This allows the wax pool to reach the edge, preventing tunneling (a ring of unmelted wax around the wick). If you extinguish before the pool reaches the edge, you'll get a tunnel that shortens the candle's life.
4. Keep Away from Drafts: Place the candles away from open windows, fans, or air vents. Drafts can cause the flame to flicker, leading to uneven melting, dripping, or even smoking. Even a slight breeze can ruin an otherwise perfect burn.
5. Snuff, Don't Blow Out: Use a candle snuffer to extinguish the flame. Blowing can scatter hot wax and create smoke. Snuffing keeps the wax pool intact and reduces soot. A snuffer also prevents the wick from smoldering, which can cause a burnt smell.

About These Candles

• Hand Dipped Candles - Heather: Hand Dipped Candles - Heather are made with a blend of beeswax and other premium waxes, hand-dipped in the USA, and measure 0.85" in diameter by 13" long. The beeswax blend burns slower and cleaner than standard paraffin, but the narrow diameter means you need to let the wax pool reach the edge to avoid tunneling.

  

• Hand Dipped Candles - Taupe: Hand Dipped Candles - Taupe share the same construction: old-world techniques, beeswax blend, and a 0.85" by 13" size, handmade in the USA. Both colors have identical burning characteristics, so the same care steps apply to either shade you choose.