Lighting a candle is not just about bringing light and fragrance into a room; it’s about creating a moment. It's a quiet ritual that can transform your space and elevate your mood. To get the most out of your LEHMANN DESIGN HAUS candle, and to ensure a clean, even, and long-lasting burn, I have a few expert tips to share.
The First Burn: The Foundation
The first burn is the most important. It sets the foundation for the candle’s entire life.
-
Create a Full Melt Pool: On the first burn, you must let the candle burn until the entire top surface of the wax is liquid, all the way to the edges of the vessel. This can take anywhere from 2-4 hours. This initial full melt pool prevents tunneling, which is when a candle burns down the middle, leaving a ring of unused wax.
-
Wick Memory: The wax has a memory. By allowing it to create a full melt pool on the first burn, you are training it to do the same on every subsequent burn.
The Ritual: Beyond the First Burn
Once your candle is properly trained, here are a few simple rituals to ensure a perfect burn every time.
-
Trim the Wick: Before each new burn, trim the wick to about a quarter of an inch. A trimmed wick ensures a clean, steady flame and prevents a mushrooming effect. This also helps to prevent soot from building up on the vessel.
-
Avoid Drafts: A candle is a living flame, and it's sensitive to its environment. Burning your candle in a drafty area can cause the flame to flicker and produce soot. Always burn your candle in a still, stable location.
-
Know When to Say Goodbye: When your candle has about a half-inch of wax left, it's time to retire it. Continuing to burn it past this point can lead to the vessel becoming too hot. At this point, you can easily clean out the remaining wax and repurpose your vessel.
By following these simple steps, you're not just burning a candle; you're mastering the art of the burn, ensuring that every time you light it, you're creating a perfect moment.
