A high candle flame can mean a few different things depending on the context. The height of a candle flame is affected by several factors including the candle wick, wax composition, candle container shape and airflow in the surrounding environment. Understanding what makes candle flames burn tall or short can help diagnose and fix issues to achieve the desired flame height.
Wick Issues
One of the most common reasons for a tall candle flame is the wick. The wick draws wax up to the top of the candle where it can vaporize and burn. If the wick is too wide or long it allows more wax to travel up, creating a larger flame. Some key wick issues that lead to high flames include:
| Wick too wide for the candle | A wick that is too wide for the diameter of the candle container allows too much wax up to burn |
| Old wick | As a wick burns, it shrivels up and becomes larger which brings up more wax |
| Extra wick strands | Sometimes wicks can come with multiple intertwined strands. This increases surface area and wax travel. |
| Curled or bent wick | Wicks that are not straight or have a kink in them increase surface area. |
| Long wick | Long wicks extend deeper into the wax pool allowing more fuel up to the flame. |
If the wick appears to be the issue, it’s best to trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to reduce the flame height. Wicks in containers wider than 3 inches may need longer wicks around 1⁄2 inch. Replacing old or improperly sized wicks can also help achieve the right flame height.
Wax Issues
The composition and quality of the wax can also influence candle flame height. Certain types of waxes produce more soot, burn faster or climb up the wick at different rates. Wax issues include:
| Low melt point wax | Waxes like paraffin that have a low melt point liquefy quickly. This allows wax to travel up the wick faster. |
| High wax content oils | Waxes made with oils that have a natural wax content like soy wax can increase climbing. |
| Old or dirty wax | As candles burn, wax can accumulate impurities like soot and debris leading to accelerated wick capillary action. |
| Scent and dye | Certain candle additives like synthetic fragrances and dyes can make wax softer and lower the melt point. |
If the wax seems to be the problem, switching to a harder, purer wax may help. Beeswax and some paraffin and soy wax blends are less prone to high flames. Candles should also be burned long enough so the entire top liquefies to clean the wax.
Air Flow
Air flow around a candle can also make the flame burn taller or shorter. A few air flow factors include:
| Drafts | Air currents from fans, open windows or vents can blow on the flame causing it to curve and stretch upwards. |
| Sheltered flames | Lack of airflow from tight spaces like candle holders or small enclosures prevents air from feeding the flame properly. |
| Low oxygen environments | Burning candles in high altitude or pressurized environments reduces available oxygen, increasing flame size. |
To help control air flow, avoid burning candles near vents or fans. Use open candle holders or move candles away from enclosed spaces to improve air circulation. Be aware of oxygen levels in controlled atmosphere environments as well.
Other Causes
Some other factors that could make candle flames burn taller include:
– High fragrance oil content – Too much fragrance oil in the wax softens the melt point leading to increased capillary action.
– Container shape – Deep and narrow containers can provide more oxygen making the flame extend up taller.
– Burn location – Candles burned on higher elevations where the air is less dense will get less oxygen causing taller flames.
– Room temperature – Warm environments soften wax and allow faster melting and wicking.
– Candle diameter – Wide container diameters provide more wax surface area for melting and fueling the flame.
– Insufficient burn time – Short burn times don’t allow the entire wax pool to liquefy leading to wax build up.
Is a High Flame Dangerous?
Tall candle flames may seem alarming but are not necessarily dangerous. The biggest concern is that taller flames will produce more soot since they are not able to burn all the wax vapor. This can lead to black smoke marks on walls and surfaces around the candle.
Extremely large, flickering flames could also pose a fire hazard if they extend far beyond the candle container. But in general, a high candle flame mainly indicates something is off with the wick size, wax makeup or burning environment.
Making some adjustments like trimming the wick or moving the candle location is often enough to achieve a lower, steady flame. If the flame remains high after troubleshooting, it may be time to replace the candle.
How to Fix a High Candle Flame
Here are some tips to help fix and prevent high candle flames:
| Trim the wick | Trim wick to 1/4 inch before lighting to reduce the size of the flame. |
| Use proper wick size | Choose a wick no wider than 1/3 the diameter of the container. Follow manufacturer guidelines. |
| Replace wick | Substitute a new unwrinkled cotton or wooden wick to reduce excess fueling. |
| Change wax type | Opt for harder waxes like beeswax or a soy/paraffin blend not prone to flaring. |
| Avoid drafts | Position candle away from fans, vents and open windows to prevent airflow distruption. |
| Open up enclosure | If in an enclosed holder, remove lid or sides to improve air circulation. |
| Increase burn time | Burn candle for at least 2 hours so the entire top liquefies to clean the wax. |
Taking some simple preventative steps can help achieve the perfect flame height for ambiance and prevent premature wax and wick issues. But if problems persist, it may require switching to higher quality and better burning candles overall.
Ideal Candle Flame Height
A proper candle flame should be just tall enough to burn cleanly without producing excess smoke. General guidelines for ideal flame height include:
– 1-2 inches tall from base of wick to tip of flame
– Flame about as wide as the width of the wick itself
– Flame mostly straight and unwavering
– Clear yellow-white color without black smoke
The perfect flame will consume wax evenly down the full diameter of the container as it burns. There should be enough heat to liquefy the top layer of wax but not so much that it rapidly evaporates.
Aim for the tallest part of the flame to be no more than 2 or 3 times the width of the wick. If the flame is clearly wider and taller than the wick, it likely needs to be trimmed.
Also ensure the candle holder and environment allow enough airflow around the flame. The flame should mostly point straight up without bending or flickering excessively.
Following these tips will help achieve the ideal candle flame for a pleasing glow without smoke or unwieldy flare ups.
Conclusion
A high candle flame is usually an indicator that something is off with the wick size, wax type or burning conditions. But it does not necessarily pose a safety hazard if managed properly. Trimming the wick, using harder wax blends and improving air circulation can help lower flame height. Candles with persistent flare up issues should be replaced with better quality versions. Seeking a candle flame about 1-2 inches tall with minimal smoke ensures the proper wax burning and ambiance.
