Burn a candle well: eight things we wish everyone knew
From the first burn to the last centimetre of wax, a short guide from the Lume Works workshop.
We pour every candle by hand in Porto, and the question we hear most is always the same: why is mine tunnelling? Here is everything we have learned in eight years of pouring wax.
The first burn matters most
Let the candle burn until the whole surface has melted, usually two to three hours. Wax has a memory: blow it out too soon and it will never melt wider than that first ring.
Trim the wick, every time
Five millimetres is the right length. A longer wick makes a tall, smoky flame and burns the candle twice as fast.
Keep it away from draughts
An open window or a radiator makes the flame flicker and the wax melt unevenly. A calm corner is a candle's best friend.
Know when to stop
Stop when one centimetre of wax is left. Then pour hot water in the tin, let the wax float up, and keep the jar for a cutting or your pencils.
