After enjoying a relaxing evening with your favorite candle from Sweet U Candles, the last thing you want is to blow it out and have the smell of smoke ruin your luxurious atmosphere. You might have heard that putting out candles with the lid minimizes the amount of smoke and soot produced. With our new Matt black candles that come with decorative lids, you might be tempted to give it a try. But wait! There are better ways to extinguish a candle that will keep your candles looking beautiful and lasting longer. Here's why we don't recommend putting out candles with the lid, and what you should do instead.
Can You Put Out Candles with the Lid?
Technically, yes. Putting the lid on a burning candle deprives the flame of the oxygen it needs to keep burning. A candle flame is a continuous combustion reaction between oxygen and wax, producing water vapor, carbon dioxide, and heat. By putting a lid on the candle jar, you remove oxygen, stopping the reaction and extinguishing the flame.
The benefit of this method is that it produces less smoke than blowing out the candle, preventing smoke from mixing with the pleasant fragrance. As long as the candle lid isn't made of a flammable or heat-sensitive material, it doesn't pose a safety risk either. Even so, we don't recommend putting out your candles this way.
Why We Don’t Recommend It
While using the lid to put out candles is better than blowing them out, there are better methods for extinguishing the flame. Here are the reasons why you shouldn't use the lid:
1.Not All Lids Are Meant for Extinguishing: Some lids are purely decorative, made from materials like wood or plastic, or have rubber seals that can melt or deform when exposed to heat.
2.Traps Smoke and Soot: The lid traps smoke and soot inside the jar, leaving black residue on the lid and inside the container.
3.Soot Contaminates Wax: Trapped soot can settle into the wax, making it look dirty and affecting the pristine appearance of white-colored soy wax.
4.Alters Fragrance: Repeatedly trapping smoke under the lid can change the original scent of your candle, making it smell smoky.
5.Lid Might Get Stuck: If there's a lot of empty space in the container, the flame can continue burning for a short time, creating a vacuum seal that suctions the lid tightly to the jar, making it hard to open again.
How to Extinguish Scented Candles
At Sweet U Candles, we recommend two methods for extinguishing candles. Both will minimize smoke while maintaining the health and appearance of your candle.
1. Using a Wick Dipper
A wick dipper is a long metal tool with a flat handle on one end and a thin tip with a bent hook on the other. Use it to gently press the lit candle wick into the wax pool, which instantly snuffs out the flame, then pull the wick back up into a straight position.
This method produces almost no smoke, making it a favorite among those who dislike lingering smokiness. It also re-coats the wick with wax after each burn, ensuring a nice, clean flame when you relight it. The only drawback is that some burnt wick residue might fall into the wax pool. If you don’t have a wick dipper, you can use any long metal tool, such as a spoon or an unbent paperclip.
2. Using a Candle Snuffer
A candle snuffer is a long-stemmed metal rod with a small cone or bell at the end. Hover the cone or bell over the flame and lower it until it just touches the surface of the wax pool, cutting off the oxygen and extinguishing the flame.
This method produces slightly more smoke than using a wick dipper but is still minimal. It also looks elegant and sophisticated. A snuffer prevents debris from falling into the wax pool, especially when the wick has started to mushroom. If this happens, extinguish the candle with a snuffer, trim the wick, and then use a dipper to coat the wick with melted wax.
Why Do Candles Have Lids?
If lids aren't for extinguishing candles, what are they for? Besides being decorative, lids help keep your candles clean by keeping dust and debris out. They also preserve the lifespan of scented candles by preventing the fragrance from escaping, a phenomenon known as "cold throw."
Understanding the best ways to extinguish your candle will help maintain its beauty and prolong its life. At Sweet U Candles, we offer a variety of elegant tools and tips to ensure you get the most out of your candle-burning experience. Enjoy the perfect ambiance with our luxurious, long-lasting candles.
