Candle Burns Too Fast Problem
Troubleshooting Guide

Candles that burn too fast are usually a fairly simple problem to correct.

Votive Candles
Short burn time problems are commonly associated with votives. Contrary to popular opinion, votives are container candles without the container - not miniature pillar candles. Votives are generally designed to liquefy quickly, providing a large melt pool and great scent throw.

Prevention - A votive must be burned in a container (votive holder). The tighter the fit, the longer it will burn for.

Hardeners
Pure paraffin is relatively soft. For a candle to achieve a substantial burn time, hardeners should be added to the wax. These will vary with the type of candle and personal preference.

Prevention - For most candle making we recommend the addition of Vybar at 1 level teaspoon per pound of wax in place of stearic. If you want to use stearic, we recommend 4 to 9 Tablespoons per pound of wax. We do not recommend the use of both vybar and stearic as this often makes the candle too hard.

Wick Size
Use of wicks that are too large may reduce the burn time of a candle, although this will be secondary to the other problems oversize wicks may cause.

Prevention - Experiment with a variety of wick sizes to get optimal burn time. Note: Wick size charts are approximations that cannot take all factors into consideration - consider these as suggested sizes for starting experimentation.

Untrimmed Wick
Poorly trimmed wicks can consume candles faster than intended. This is especially true when the wick is too large to begin with, and only makes the problem worse.

Prevention - Keep all wicks trimmed to 1/4 inch.

Burning In A Draft
Burning a candle in a draft can cause it to drip or run. This greatly reduces the amount of wax available to the flame.

Prevention - Move the candle to a less drafty location, or eliminate the source of the draft.

If this does not help with your problem, please search our knowledgebase. If the answer is not in the knowledgebase, click here to submit your question.

Disclaimer: The information presented here is accurate to the best of my knowledge and common candle making practices as of the time of this writing - January 2006. The author and the publisher accept no liability for the use or misuse of any of the information presented in this article. This article is presented for informational purposes and is used at your own risk.

Author: Bob Sherman

Publisher: Bobby's Craft Boutique Inc.

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