Candle Use and Care

Preparation
Always store candles in a cool, dry place until you are ready to use them.
Set the candle securely straight in a holder on a flat, level surface.
Trim wick, whether new or burned, to approx. 3/4”. Make sure it is straight.
Candle followers are recommended for the best burn conditions. Set a clean, properly sized candle follower (same diameter as candle) on top of the candle, gently pressing and turning the follower to“seat” it.
Precondition wicks by burning for 2 minutes before placing candle on altar.

Lighting
Use a lighting taper to prevent debris from falling into the candle. Lighting sticks and matches must be carefully used to prevent foreign material from falling into the candle cup.
Avoid contacting the wick or follower with the lighting taper. Extinguish the lighting taper by retracting into holder. Do not blow out.

Extinguishing
Always use a candle snuffer to extinguish the candle. Do not touch the wick or follower with the snuffer. Simply cover the flame with the snuffer until it goes out. Do not extinguish a candle burning for less than two minutes, as the wick may burn down and become difficult to relight. Wait a few minutes for liquid wax to harden before moving candle.

Reconditioning
Occasionally, a candle that has not burned for the required length of time may burn down into the center of the candle body.
A candle in this state must be trimmed and reconditioned by trimming the top of the candle to provide a flat, level surface and to expose at least 3/4” of wick.

Best Burn Tips
Burn candles long enough to liquefy top. Large diameter candles in particular should burn continuously until the top surface has been liquefied to its proper proportion. For best performance, candles should burn at least the minimum times shown below.

Use a candle follower. Our followers are ideally sized and weighted to give the longest, cleanest burn possible.

Candle Type Tips

• Sanctuary Candles
  Should always burn covered by a globe. Designed to burn continuously, the sanctuary candle must be on a level surface and should not be extinguished and relit.


• Cemetery Lights
  Are designed to burn outdoors with a continuous flame. Should not be extinguished or relit.


• Gleamlights
  Are designed to burn with a continuous flame. Must be placed on a level surface for best burn efficiency.


• Plastic Offerlights
  Are designed to burn continuously and be placed in a glass holder.


• Vigil Lights, Voticandles and Twinkle T-Lites
  Should be placed in clean dry containers. Remove all tins after the candle is consumed.


• Candlelight Service Candles
  Should be used with a drip protector or bobeche. When passing a flame from one candle to another, hold the burning candle vertically, tipping the unlit candle towards it.

Trouble Shooting
Even the best candles have to function in a changing and imperfect world. External conditions such as air temperature and drafts impact how well a candle burns. The candle user must also know best techniques for lighting and extinguishing the candle.

Dripping
Make sure the candle has a follower, the follower is the right size, and that it is properly seated. Be sure that the candle is secure and straight in its holder, and not subject to excessive drafts.

Double flame
Burned portions of wick, debris from a match or lighting stick, or even an unlucky moth can act as a secondary wick and will cause a double flame. Extinguish the candle and carefully remove the contamination before relighting.

Curled wick/smoking
Smoking or a large flame indicates the wick may be too long and/or curled. Make sure the wick is no longer than 3/4” and, if necessary, trim it.

Short wick
This happens when the wick is accidentally broken or smoldered after the last use. Using a dull knife, “re-head” the candle, exposing unburned wick. Trim the wick to 3/4”, reseat the burner, and relight the candle.