Why the candle is kicking? Most common causes and prevention

Why the candle is kicking? Most common causes and prevention

Candle burning is one of the most common problems faced by candle lovers. Regardless of whether you use scented candles, or unscented candles, you may notice smoke and black deposits on the vessel or walls during combustion. Why the candle is kicking? There can be many causes - from improper candle placement to poor wick and wax selection. Below you will find a detailed guide to help you solve the problem and enjoy a clean, even flame.

1. The candle is kicking because it is in the wrong place

One of the main reasons why the candle smokes is because of its positioning in the draft. If the candle flame is unstable, it begins to flicker and burn the wick and wax unevenly. This most often happens when the candle is standing:

• close to an open window,
• near a fan, air conditioner or heater,
• in a place exposed to air movement, such as a corridor.

How to prevent it?

Position the candle away from sources of drafts. You can also use a glass shade or a special candle caps, which help stabilize the flame and reduce the risk of smoke.

2. Why the candle is smoking? The wick is too long

Wick length is crucial to proper candle burning. If the wick is too long, the flame becomes large, unstable, and may cause excessive kicking.

How to take care of the wick?

• Before each lighting, trim the wick to a length of about 5 mm - this will help achieve a stable, even flame.
• Use a special wick trimmer, which allows you to precisely trim the wick without spilling ash on the wax surface.

This is a key rule for the care of both scented and unscented candles - regardless of the type of wax and wick, it is worth remembering this practice.

3. The candle is kicking because it is made of a particular wax

Why the candle is kicking? One reason may be the type of wax used. Paraffin candles have a greater tendency to smoke, especially if the manufacturer has not selected the right wick. Paraffin is a petroleum product that burns easily, but can also generate smoke and soot.

How to avoid candle smoke?

Choose candles made from natural plant waxes, such as:

• soy wax - burns cleaner and longer than paraffin,
• coconut wax - has a lower melting point, which reduces smoking,
• rapeseed wax - an ecological and sustainable choice, less prone to mounding.

It's a good idea to check the composition of the candle before you buy it - reputable manufacturers always provide information about the type of wax.

4. The wick and its effect on the candle's kickiness

Not only the length, but also the type of wick is of great importance in the context of the candle's kickiness.

Types of wicks vs. potential to smoke

• Cotton wicks - usually give a clean flame, but if they are of poor quality or improperly matched to the wax, they can smoke.
• Wooden wicks - popular in luxury candles, but if they are mismatched with wax (such as paraffin wax), they can smoke intensely.
• Metal-core wicks - formerly used in paraffin candles, but are now rare due to possible toxic emissions.

How to prevent a candle from burning?

Choose candles from reliable manufacturers that use high-quality wicks adapted to the type of wax.

5. The candle is smoking because the manufacturer has chosen the ingredients incorrectly

Some candles, especially low-quality ones, can kick, even if you take care to use them properly. This may be due to:

• improper selection of wick to wax - for example, too thick a wick in a soy candle can lead to excessive burning and smoke,
• low-quality fragrance additives - low-priced products may contain poor-quality oils, which cause increased kicking in the combustion process,
• lack of quality standards - cheap candles are often manufactured without proper testing and certification, which can result in uneven combustion.

How to avoid the problem?

• If you love aromatic candles, go for scented candles with high-quality natural oils - their composition is less prone to mounding.
• Bet on reputable brands that care about the quality of their products and conduct combustion tests.

How to prevent a candle from burning? Summary

If the candle is kicking on, check the following steps:

1. Set the candle in a place without drafts.
2. Trim the wick to a length of 5 mm before each lighting.
3. Choose natural plant waxes instead of paraffin wax.
4. Check the composition - avoid low-quality products.
5. Buy candles from reliable manufacturers at Candle World.

With these rules, you can enjoy a clean and long burning candle without smoke or unsightly deposits. Remember that proper candle care is the key to a beautiful atmosphere in your home!