The Prime Step
When lighting a candle for the first time it is important to perform the prime step. This involves leaving the candle burning until the wax around the rim has fully melted. Keep your candle away from any drafty areas as the flame will perform at its best when it is as still as possible. This will ensure that the candle remembers the spot where it melted and will continue to burn evenly; preventing it from tunneling or becoming misshapen.It's crucial to always trim the wick of a candle to a length of no more than 5mm before lighting it. Long wicks are a primary cause of soot production. A wick that is too long can cause the candle to burn faster than intended. By keeping the wick trimmed; you can help ensure a clean, soot-free burn and prolong the life of your candle.
To ensure a smoke-free extinguish; use a wick-dipper to push the wick into the wax or use a candle snuffer to suffocate the flame. Once the candle has burned down to half an inch it's best retire the candle. Burning it any further can cause the container to overheat and may prove to become a hazard. It's easy to forget the dangers associated with candles so please be vigilant and safety conscience at all time when a candle is lit. Never leave the candle unattended or in the reach of children or pets.
