Whether white candles burn faster than colored candles is a question many candle enthusiasts think about. The rate at which a candle burns can impact how long it lasts, so understanding what affects burn time is useful information.
The short answer
In general, white candles do tend to burn faster than colored candles. This is because pigments and dyes used to color candles can slow down the combustion process. However, there are many factors that affect candle burn rates, so the difference may not always be significant.
What impacts candle burn rates?
There are several key factors that determine how quickly a candle will burn:
- Wick size – Larger wicks tend to burn faster.
- Wax composition – Some waxes like soy burn slower than paraffin.
- Coloring – Pigments and dyes can reduce burn rate.
- Dimensions – Taller and wider candles often burn slower.
- Wick trimming – Keeping wicks trimmed to 1/4″ helps sustain even burning.
- Drafts and air currents – Breezy conditions make candles burn faster.
By understanding how these variables impact burn time, we can better evaluate how color affects the burn rate of candles.
Why do white candles typically burn faster?
The reason white candles tend to burn quicker comes down to their lack of pigments and dyes. Coloring candle wax requires adding extra particles and chemicals.
These coloring agents interact with the wax and can slightly inhibit the capillary action that draws wax up the wick. This disruption in the capillary effect leads to a marginally slower burn time.
In contrast, plain white candles contain no pigments or dyes that could interfere with the capillary action. This allows the wax to travel up the wick more efficiently, supporting a faster burn rate.
Testing burn rates of white vs. colored candles
To demonstrate the difference in burn rates, some candle makers have done side-by-side burn tests of plain white candles versus colored versions:
| Candle Type | Burn Time |
|---|---|
| White paraffin pillar candle | 21 hours |
| Blue paraffin pillar candle (same size) | 23 hours |
This test shows the colored candle burning over 10% longer than the plain white candle. While not a huge difference, it does demonstrate the general tendency.
Impact of specific pigments and dyes
Not all coloring agents affect burn time equally. Darker colors like black, brown, and deep red lead to the biggest slowdown in burn rate. Meanwhile, lighter colors like pastels have a minimal effect.
Here is a comparison of different color varieties of similarly sized soy wax candles and their burn times:
| Candle Color | Burn Time |
|---|---|
| White | 32 hours |
| Ivory | 31 hours |
| Light Blue | 30 hours |
| Forest Green | 28 hours |
| Deep Red | 27 hours |
| Black | 25 hours |
The black candle showed a burn time 22% shorter than the plain white candle of the same size and wax type. This demonstrates the more significant impact darker pigments can have.
Role of candle diameter
Candle diameter also plays an important role. A colored candle with a smaller diameter may burn at nearly the same rate as a larger white candle. This is because a smaller radius means less wax has to melt at the edges for the candle to burn downwards.
Here is a chart showing how a 1″ diameter colored candle can come close to the burn time of a 1.5″ white candle:
| Candle | Diameter | Burn Time |
|---|---|---|
| White Beeswax Pillar | 1.5 inches | 22 hours |
| Blue Beeswax Pillar | 1 inch | 20 hours |
If the colored candle had been 1.5″ wide like the white one, it likely would have burned 15-20% slower. But the smaller 1″ diameter helped compensate for the slower burning wax.
Wick considerations
Wick size also requires consideration when comparing colored and white candles. Generally, the best burn performance will be achieved when the wick is sized appropriately for the specific wax and candle diameter.
Colored candles may require slightly larger wicks to help counteract the drag created by the pigments on capillary action. A colored candle paired with a wick ideal for plain wax may struggle to burn efficiently.
Matching the wick size to the type of wax and coloring is important to ensure even burning with minimal tunneling.
How to maximize burn time
To get the most out of your candles, here are some tips for maximizing burn time regardless of color:
- Trim wicks to 1/4″ before each lighting to prevent excess smoking and uneven burning.
- Allow the wax pool to completely liquefy across the top on each burn. This helps prevent tunneling.
- Avoid drafts and frequently moving the candle which can cause uneven wax pool formation.
- Store candles upright if the wax pool isn’t completely solidified to avoid warping.
- Wait until candles have fully cooled and solidified before relighting, at least 2-4 hours.
Putting it all together
While white candles may burn faster on average compared to colored candles, the difference is unlikely to be drastic. Factors like wick size, diameter, wax composition and more also substantially influence burn rate.
Darker colors seem to slow down burning more than lighter colors. But for visual appeal, the minor difference in burn time is likely worth it for most candle enthusiasts.
By trimming wicks regularly, allowing full wax pool formation, and avoiding drafts, you can maximize burn time regardless of the color.
Conclusion
The main takeaways around white vs. colored candles are:
- White candles usually burn marginally faster than colored candles due to lack of pigments.
- Dark colors like black and brown slow burn rate more than lighter colors.
- Smaller diameter candles can offset some loss of burn time from added color.
- Properly sized wicks help colored candles burn efficiently.
- With testing and the right wick, color impact can be minimized.
- Overall, the color effect on burn time is generally modest.
While the science shows white technically burns quicker, the difference is unlikely to be significant for most candles. Opting for colors you enjoy will provide far more satisfaction than a minor gain in burn rate.
