Wooden Wick Troubleshooting
Our wicks are sourced from sustainably harvested sappy trees in California and have been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, an independent, non-profit organization that protects forests for future generations. Below we've outlined the best ways to care for your new candle, along with our troubleshooting guide to get you back in action. A little bit of patience and some of our insider tips will get your soy wax candle crackling away in no time!
Scroll down for candle trimming tools, burning tricks, and safety tips
Trim Your Wick
The first thing you should do with your new wooden wick candle is check the wick is no longer than 1cm or ⅛” long. It is crucial to trim a wooden wick before you burn to ensure an even, soot-free flame. If the wick is too long, the wax will not pull up the wick and the flame will dim or not catch.
Throughout your candles lifecycle, if you notice the wick is difficult to light, or it's smoking heavily - check the length of your wick and knock any accumulated soot off the top to ensure a smooth, even burn.
Remember, it’s not the wick that feeds the flame, it’s the wax. The wick is the vessel that feeds the flame so it needs to be kept clean and trim for your best burning experience.
Burn Time
Did you know, candle wax has a memory?
The first time you burn a candle (any candle, not just soy wax) you're telling it how to burn for the remainder of its lifespan so you want to let the candle burn all the way to its natural edge the first time. This usually takes anywhere from 2-3 hours depending on the size of a candle. By burning a candle to its natural edge the first time you’re telling the candle where its boundaries lie and teaching the candle to burn brightly every time you want to enjoy it.
Burning a candle 2-3 hours during the first burn helps to prevent tunneling, and wax wastage - two things we hate at Three Inches High!
Fire Safety
The last thing you need to know about candles is when to stop burning. For a container candle, don't let a candle burn more than 4 hours (TRUST US!), and don’t let it burn down past 2cm to ensure you don't overheat the jar or any pooled fragrance oil. With our wooden wick clips our candle will naturally burn out at this range, but you should always keep a close eye on your candle as they reach the end of their lives.
If you'd like to reuse the container (and we recommend it!) simply fill the container with boiling water. The remnant wax will melt and float to the top. Allow the wax/water mixture to cool and simply skim the wax off the top. Give the container a quick wash with hot, soapy water and it'll be like new!