Candle Care

Wood wicks produce a cozy flame and promote a clean and even burning candle, but they can be a little tricky to burn if you’re not used to them versus their cotton wick counterparts. It is not uncommon for wood wicks to periodically go out and need to be relit. Here are some tips to get the most out of your hand poured soy candles:

The First Burn is the Most Important

Did you know candles have a “wax memory?” The way you burn a candle the first time determines how the candle burns for the rest of its life. Best way to light a wooden wick is to tilt the candle on an angle and let the flame draw across the length of the wick. On the first burn, ensure you allow enough time (may take several hours) to let the wax melt to the edge of the container. If this doesn’t occur, something called “tunneling” can happen where a tunnel will essentially form, making it difficult for the wax around the wick to fully melt. Often times, the tunnel can become too deep for the wick to “breathe” by cutting off the supply of oxygen, and the candle will have trouble staying lit and will self-extinguish.
If Tunneling Happens, Try This"

If the wick is able to stay lit and tunnel isn’t too deep, let it burn for 4-8 hours for it to fully burn all the tunneled wax down and “reset” the memory of the candle. Flame height may dwindle but so long as it stays lit, let it burn to reset the melt pool "memory". If the candle won’t stay lit because it is “drowning” in the wax, you can (with flame completely out, of course) use a paper towel to soak up excess melted wax to allow more room for the wick to breathe.
Other Points to Consider

Do not burn your candle for more than 4 hours at a time once the wax pool memory has been established. Never leave a burning candle unattended Light candle away from anything flammable and keep away from drafts. When about 1/2” of wax is remaining, it is time to replace your candle!
Trim Your Wick Before Every Relight

For best burn results, make sure to keep your wick trimmed to 1/8”. You can do this by breaking off the top black bits of the wick with your fingers and a paper towel or using a wick trimmer designed specifically for wood wicks. If the wood is not trimmed short and clean, the wax can’t make it to the flame and your candle won’t stay lit. The wax needs to be able to "wick" through the wood to reach the flame, so be sure to remove as much of the charred wood fragments from your wick before EVERY burn.