Candles have been an essential part of our lives for centuries, providing illumination, ambiance, and even a touch of romance. Some burn brightly and cleanly, while others may leave behind excessive smoke or emit an unpleasant odor. To ensure you choose high-quality candles, it’s important to understand how to test their flame, glow, and smoking behavior. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the simple yet effective methods we use to test our clients candles.
Assessing the Flame
The flame of a candle can reveal valuable information about its quality and performance. Follow these steps to evaluate the flame effectively:
a. Observe the flame’s shape: Ideally, a well-made candle will produce a steady, teardrop-shaped flame that is bright and free of soot.
b. Flickering: Note the flame’s stability and flickering pattern. A candle with a consistent and calm flame suggests a properly wicked and well-constructed candle.
Evaluating the Glow
The glow emitted by a candle after it has been extinguished can provide insights into its composition and quality. Here’s how you can assess the glow:
a. Blow out the candle gently and observe the glow. A candle should stop emitting a glow within a few seconds. Any longer than 30 seconds and its a safety hazard.
b. Duration of Glow: Take note of how long the glow persists. We use a stop watch to time how long it takes for the glowing embers of the wick to extinguish once the candle has been blown out. If it is longer than 30 seconds we deem the candle unsafe.
Analyzing Smoke Production
Excessive smoke can be a nuisance and may indicate the presence of impurities in the candle’s composition. Follow these steps to evaluate the smoke production.
a. Immediate Smoke: Upon blowing out the candle, observe if it produces any immediate smoke. Ideally, there should be minimal smoke or none at all. If the candle emits thick smoke, it may be an indication of low-quality materials or improper wicking.
b. Duration of Smoke: Notice how long the candle continues to smoke after being extinguished. A high-quality candle should only produce a minimal amount of smoke that dissipates quickly. Prolonged smoking can indicate the use of inferior materials or excessive additives. Just like we do with the glow test, we use a stop watch to time the duration of smoke once the candle has been blown out. If the candle smokes for longer than 30 seconds we deem the candle a hazard.
Testing a candle’s flame, glow, and smoke behavior can help you make informed decisions when developing your candles or purchasing them for your home. By evaluating the flame’s color and shape, assessing the glow’s duration and intensity, and analyzing the smoke production, you can identify high-quality candles that burn cleanly, emit a warm glow, and add a touch of elegance to your surroundings. Remember, investing in well-made candles not only enhances your space but also ensures a pleasant and safe candle experience.
If you’d like to read our previous candle testing blogs where we discussed wick mushrooms click here and melt pools click here.
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