Beeswax candles are one of the most natural, long-lasting and rewarding candles you can burn. But like all natural products, they reward a little care and attention. Whether you have just received your first order from Beeswax Bay Farm or you have been burning beeswax candles for years, here is everything you need to know to get the very best from every candle.
The first burn of any candle sets the pattern for every burn that follows. This is especially true of beeswax candles, which have a higher melting point than paraffin or soy and need slightly more time to establish a full wax pool.
Always allow the wax pool to reach the edges on the first burn. If you extinguish a beeswax candle before the melt pool has reached the edge of the vessel or the outer rim of the candle, it will begin to tunnel - burning down the centre and leaving a wall of unmelted wax around the outside. Once tunnelling starts, it is difficult to reverse.
For a standard pillar candle, this means burning for at least 2-3 hours on the first use. For a jar candle, allow 3-4 hours. Do not light a beeswax candle if you only have 30 minutes - you will not do it justice.
This is the single most important habit for any candle, and the one most people skip.Trim the wick to 5mm before every burn - not just the first. A wick that is too long will produce a large, flickering flame, excessive soot and an uneven burn. It will also cause the candle to burn through the wax too quickly, reducing your burn time significantly.
Use a wick trimmer if you have one, or simply pinch off the burnt tip with your fingers once the candle has cooled completely. Never trim a warm wick - wait until the wax has fully set.
Beeswax burns best in still air. A draught - from an open window, a fan, an air conditioning unit or even a nearby door - will cause the flame to flicker, the candle to burn unevenly and soot to form on the sides of a jar or vessel.
If you notice the flame flickering persistently, move the candle away from the source of the draught rather than trying to shield it. A calm, still flame indicates the candle is burning correctly.
There is both a minimum and a maximum to be aware of.
Minimum: Always burn long enough for the wax pool to reach the edges - as above. For pillar candles this is typically 1 hour per inch of diameter.
Maximum: Do not burn a beeswax candle for more than 4 hours at a time. After 4 hours, extinguish the candle, allow it to cool fully, trim the wick and relight. Burning for too long causes the wick to become too long relative to the wax pool, which leads to smoking and an uneven burn.
Never blow out a beeswax candle. Blowing sends hot wax particles into the air, creates smoke and can disturb the wick position. Instead:
If your beeswax candle develops a white, dusty or powdery coating on the surface over time, do not be alarmed. This is called bloom, and it is completely natural.
Bloom occurs when the lighter components of the beeswax migrate to the surface over time - it is actually a sign that your candle is made from pure, unrefined beeswax with no additives. Commercial paraffin candles do not bloom because they contain stabilisers that prevent it.
Bloom does not affect the burn quality of the candle in any way. If you prefer the appearance of the candle without bloom, simply buff the surface gently with a soft cloth or your fingertips and the natural golden colour will return immediately.
Proper storage extends the life of your beeswax candles and keeps them looking their best.
There is no expiry date on beeswax candles. Stored correctly, pure beeswax candles will last indefinitely - beeswax is naturally antibacterial and does not deteriorate over time. This is one of the reasons beeswax has been used for candles for thousands of years.
Tealights have a few additional care points worth knowing:
Pillar candles: If the sides of a pillar candle begin to bulge outward as it burns, gently fold the softened wax inward toward the centre of the melt pool. This keeps the candle self-contained and extends its burn life significantly.
Taper candles: Always use a taper holder that holds the candle securely and catches any drips. Never leave a burning taper unattended. Trim the wick before each use and ensure the candle is level - a taper that leans will drip and burn unevenly.
Our pure beeswax candles are hand-poured and hand-rolled at our smallholding in Atherstone, Warwickshire, using 100% Devon beeswax and natural cotton wicks. No paraffin, no synthetics, no additives.
Browse our beeswax candle range: https://www.beeswaxbayfarm.co.uk/shop/beeswax-candles
Browse our beeswax tealights: https://www.beeswaxbayfarm.co.uk/shop/beeswax-candles/beeswax-tealights