Why Do Some Candles Burn Faster Than Others?
Why do some candles burn faster than others? Two candles of a similar size can last a very different number of evenings, and the reason is rarely a mystery. How fast a candle burns comes down to a handful of things you can see and influence: the wick, the air around the flame, how long each burn lasts, and the shape of the candle itself. Below we go through each one, and what you can do to make a candle burn longer.
Why do some candles burn faster than others?
A candle burns faster when its flame is larger than the candle needs. A long wick, moving air, very long burns and a narrow shape all make the flame draw more wax per hour.
A candle is a simple system. The flame melts the wax at the top, the wick draws that liquid wax up, and the flame consumes it. The bigger and livelier the flame, the more wax it uses. Anything that makes the flame grow, flicker or lean will shorten the life of the candle. Anything that keeps it small, upright and still will lengthen it.
That is also why the number on a label is always a range. Our Signature Candle, 20 cm tall, 8 cm across and 800 g, gives 180 to 200 hours of light. We measured that with a trimmed wick, out of any draught, in burns of a few hours at a time. Under those conditions it reaches the top of the range; under others it will use its wax sooner.
Why is my candle burning so fast?
Most often because the wick is too long. A wick that has not been trimmed gives a taller flame that consumes noticeably more wax every hour.
The fix takes a few seconds: before every burn, trim the wick to 0.5 to 1 cm. A shorter wick gives a smaller, calmer flame that takes only what it needs. If a candle seems to be disappearing quickly, this is the first thing to check. We explain how to do it neatly in How to Trim a Candle Wick, and How Short It Should Be.
The five things that decide how fast a candle burns
| Factor | What makes it burn faster | What helps it last |
|---|---|---|
| Wick | Untrimmed, long or curled wick | Trimmed to 0.5 to 1 cm before every burn |
| Air | Open windows, fans, heating vents, doorways | A still spot, out of any draught |
| Burn length | Burns of many hours in a row | At most 4 hours at a time |
| Placement | Candles close together, near a heat source, on a tilted surface | Upright, on a stable surface, with space around it |
| Shape | Narrow candles with little wax around the wick | Wider pillars with more wax per centimetre of height |
The wick
The wick is the engine of the flame. When it is the right length, the flame is steady and modest. When it grows long, the flame rises with it and the candle burns faster. A wick also lengthens as the candle burns, which is why trimming is not a one-time job but a small habit before every lighting.
Draughts and moving air
A flame in moving air flickers, leans and burns hotter on one side. That uses more wax and melts it unevenly. Open windows, ceiling fans, heating vents and busy doorways are the usual causes. Move the candle a metre and the difference is often visible straight away.
How long you burn it at a time
Burning a candle for many hours in a row lets the whole top grow very warm and the flame grow larger. We recommend at most four hours per burn, then letting the candle cool fully before lighting it again. For a new candle, the first burn should be at least two hours; we explain why in How Long to Burn a Candle the First Time.
Placement
Two candles placed very close together warm each other, and both burn faster. The same goes for a candle on a radiator shelf or in direct afternoon sun. Give each candle some space, keep it upright on a stable, heat-resistant surface, and never leave it burning unattended.
Shape and size
A narrow candle has little wax around its wick, so it is used up sooner. That is not a flaw: a taper is made for an evening, a pillar for many. Our Four Tapers, 27 cm long and 2.2 cm across, give six to eight hours of light each. Our pillars hold far more wax per centimetre of height: Pillar Candle I gives 70 to 90 hours and Pillar Candle II 60 to 70 hours, together in the Pillar Candle Set.
Does the wax matter?
Yes, but mostly in how wax and wick are matched. A wick is chosen for a particular wax and a particular diameter; when that pairing is right, the flame stays in proportion to the candle.
LLIOR is a Dutch candle brand that makes unscented candles from a 50/50 blend of beeswax and soy wax, with a cotton wick and no paraffin, added fragrance or dye. Each candle is hand-poured with a wick chosen for its shape, and the Signature's 180 to 200 hours are measured, not estimated. Why we use these two waxes together is explained in Beeswax and Soy Candles: Why We Blend the Two.
How to make a candle burn longer
Trim the wick, keep the candle out of moving air, and burn it for no more than four hours at a time. Those three habits make the largest difference.
- Trim the wick to 0.5 to 1 cm before every burn.
- Choose a still spot, away from windows, fans and heating.
- Give the first burn at least two hours, and no burn more than four.
- Keep candles a little apart from each other and from heat sources.
- Put the flame out with a snuffer rather than blowing, so the wick stays straight and centred for next time. See How to Put Out a Candle.
- Let the candle cool completely before moving or relighting it.
For the number of hours each of our candles gives, read How Long Does a Candle Burn?
Frequently asked questions
Why do some candles burn faster than others?
Because their flame is larger than it needs to be. A long wick, draughts, very long burns, candles placed close together and a narrow shape all make a candle use its wax sooner.
Why is my candle burning so fast?
The most common reason is an untrimmed wick. Trim it to 0.5 to 1 cm before every burn and keep the candle out of moving air.
How do you make a candle burn slower?
Keep the flame small and still: a trimmed wick, a draught-free spot, and burns of no more than four hours at a time.
Does a draught make a candle burn faster?
Yes. Moving air makes the flame flicker and lean, which uses more wax and melts it unevenly. A still spot helps a candle last.
How long does a pillar candle burn?
It depends on its size. Our Signature Candle gives 180 to 200 hours, Pillar Candle I 70 to 90 hours and Pillar Candle II 60 to 70 hours.
Read more
How long to burn a candle the first time: at least two hours, never more than four. Why the first burn sets the pattern for every burn after it, and how it works for pillar and taper candles.
What are candles made of? Wax and a wick, and often fragrance, colour and hardeners on top. A plain guide to every candle ingredient and wax type, and why ours are made of beeswax, soy and cotton a...