I have some large (pay a lot) pillar candles, they are burned down inside about an inch or so, and the wick is down to the wax level inside the "crater" where the fire was. It seems like there is a lot more I should be getting out of these candles, how can I extend the life? Thanks for any ideas….
Lay the candles on their side, cut off the excess wax with a sharp knife. Good idea to do this on newspaper, there will be chunks of wax. Since the wick is at wax level, you’ll have to excavate around the wick – carve out a funnel around the wick.
After burning, when the wax at top is soft and malleable, bend it in toward the wick. Keeps a neater appearance, prevents the "tunnel" of wax forming, longer burn time.
If you want, save the cut wax for melting and pouring new candles.
Yeah I know exactly what you mean. Do you still have that little sticker on the bottom with the instructions? Most of them tell you how you are ‘supposed’ to burn them for the best results. I tried to do that too, but it either didn’t fit with my burning plan or it didn’t work. Trimming the wick is a good idea tho. If it gets too big, the flame gets too big and burns to hot. It still burns down the center tho. I never found a way other than playing with the candle by burning it, turning it on itside and diliberately melting some of that side wax off and pouring it our into like a disposable pie pan. OR…you can try to cut the side, then try melting the sides to even them off…but that is mess and doesn’t look good.
My best suggestion…..Get Candle Impressions flameless candles!!! The best money I ever spent. I have 4 of the ones with timers on them in my living room that come on every night. I love them!! Bed, Baths & Beyond or QVC
References :
http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.H1750.desc.CandleImpressions-S2-Scented-4-Flameless-Candles-wTimer
Lay the candles on their side, cut off the excess wax with a sharp knife. Good idea to do this on newspaper, there will be chunks of wax. Since the wick is at wax level, you’ll have to excavate around the wick – carve out a funnel around the wick.
After burning, when the wax at top is soft and malleable, bend it in toward the wick. Keeps a neater appearance, prevents the "tunnel" of wax forming, longer burn time.
If you want, save the cut wax for melting and pouring new candles.
References :