Scent Snob
  • Scent Snob
  • Shop
  • Perfume
  • Body Spray
  • Essential Oils
  • Scented Candles
  • Car Air Fresheners
  • Scented Sachets
  • Fragrance Lamp
  • Perfume Oils
  • Candles Near Me
  • Perfume Store Near Me
  • scentsnob Blog
  • Perfume
  • Body Spray
  • Essential Oils
  • Scented Candles
  • Car Air Fresheners
  • Scented Sachets
  • Fragrance Lamp
  • Perfume Oils
  • Candles Near Me
  • Perfume Store Near Me
Scent Snob > Scented Candles

Candle Safety - Center Your Wick

written by Oliver Beckett Mar 19, 2013

How many times have you glazed over the warnings on a candle numb with boredom unable to let any of it register?Probably every time if you've even read them at all.You're not alone.I'm guilty of reading all the warnings with a "duh, of course" mindset.It wasn't until I started to see that consequences that they started to sink in have meaning to me.Here's one warning you probably won't even find on the packaging:

Keep the wick in the center

You're probably thinking this isn't your responsibility.Surely a good candle manufacturer would craft a candle with a perfectly centered wick from top to bottom.Well, of course that's the goal, but during the pouring process the wick can get pushed to the side.The wick is still centered on the bottom where the base was glued to the bottom, and they are sure to center it on the top before the wax sets, but what happens in between is a guessing game many times.

A good candle maker will adhere to all the safety precautions during the manufacturing process, using the correct materials and standards, but when the candle is burning, the responsibility is on the owner to make sure they provide the right environment and monitor the conditions.(This is where the "Never burn a candle out of sight" warning comes from.)If things to awry, it's up to you to make the necessary adjustments.

If you see the wick "creeping" to the side (it isn't actually moving or creeping, it's just hardened in the wax with a slight bend to it) this creates a pour burn quality and, more importantly, becomes a safety issue.With the wick off-center, the candle will burn unevenly and likely form soot on the side of the glass where the flame is too close.This is unsightly and you won't get all the hours out of your candle.  It may stop burning at all as it drowns itself from too much wax melting down on top of it.Bad, but not the end of the world.

What happens if this is left unadjusted, however, is quite bad.The glass can get too hot and can crack.The usual response is "My candle exploded!!".Wax can spill out everywhere causing a mess and an uncontrolled fire can create a significant hazard.

So what to do?  It's quite easy.  When you see the wick start to get off-center:

  1. Extinguish the candle immediately.
  2. Use a wick dipper or wick tweezer to re-center the wick.  Sink the wick dipper or tweezer down into the melted wax about 1/2" and use it to GENTLY push the wick towards the center.  You never want to pull on the wick as you could end up pulling the wick completely out of the candle, and that doesn't take Popeye strength to do.  
  3. Let the wax harden before you relight.  When you relight the candle, the wick will start in the center and burn correctly.  If it starts to creep again after a while, repeat the process above as many times as necessary.  

Again, the consequences of not keep in things in check just aren't worth it!!   A little candle maintenance goes a long way.

This is a public service announcement brought to you from Safety Sue.

0 comment
Author Oliver Beckett
Oliver Beckett

Oliver has a deep love for classic fragrances and considers himself a fragrance historian. His fascination began with his grandfather's cologne collection, and he has since developed a passion for timeless scents. Oliver enjoys researching and sharing the origins and evolution of fragrance brands, f

Related Posts

Discover the Best Natural Candles for Gift Giving: Eco-Friendly and Thoughtful Choices

Discover the Best Floral Scented Candles for Spring to Refresh Your Home Ambiance

Discover the Best Floral and Citrus Scented Candles to Refresh Your Home Atmosphere

How to Choose the Perfect Scented Candles for Your Home: A Detailed Guide

Best Soy Wax Candles for Meditation and Yoga to Enhance Your Practice

Find the Best Rose Scented Candles for Relaxation to Calm Your Mind and Space

0 comments

Leave a Comment

Reply To : 

Save my name, email, and Phone in this browser for the next time I comment.

Popular Posts

  • 1

    Best Lavender-Scented Non-Toxic Candles for a Safe and Relaxing Ambiance

    01/03/2025
  • 2

    Discover the Safest Candles for Pregnant Women: Enhance Comfort and Well-Being

    12/30/2024
  • 3

    Summer-Themed Scented Candles: Perfect Scents to Freshen Up Your Summer

    01/02/2025
  • 4

    Black Cherry Candles: The Perfect Scent for Your Home

    02/14/2025
  • 5

    Bergamot and Lemon Candles: A Refreshing Citrus Duo for Your Home

    02/05/2025
  • 6

    Best Candles for Relaxation During a Stressful Workday: Top Picks for Stress Relief

    02/14/2025
  • 7

    Aromatherapy Candles for Positive Energy: Boost Your Mood and Uplift Your Spirit

    02/08/2025
  • 8

    Best Candles for Outdoor Gatherings: Long-Lasting & Wind-Resistant Picks

    03/13/2025

Popular Picks

best candle website target on bayou blvd in pensacola fl laundry perfume candle subscription service swedish holiday candles michaels brandywine parkway wilmington de michaels may ave okc scenting candles naturally diptyque gardenia candle ulta hair salon mt pleasant sc

Recent Posts

  • Discover the Safest Candles for Pregnant Women: Enhance Comfort and Well-Being

    12/30/2024
  • Elevate Your Home with Hand-Poured Luxury Candles – Best Scents & Tips

    03/13/2025
  • Calming Scented Candles: The Best Scents for Relaxation and Stress Relief

    12/17/2024
  • Scented Candles for Stress Relief: A Natural Solution to Relax and Unwind

    02/10/2025
  • Non-Toxic Scented Candles: Safe, Eco-Friendly Fragrances for Your Home

    02/18/2025
  • How Do You Store Scented Candles to Make Them Last Longer?

    01/10/2025
  • What Are the Best Scented Candles for Easter? Enhance Your Spring Decor

    01/23/2025
  • Creating a Luxurious Bathroom Atmosphere with Candles for Ultimate Relaxation

    03/17/2025
Scent Snob
  1. Home
  2. About Scent Snob
  3. Contact US
  4. Terms of Service
  5. Privacy Policy
Nearby Services
  1. Candles Near Me
  2. Shop Online
  3. paddywax candle bar
  4. lowes bozeman
  5. walmart crestview fl
  6. rei madison
  7. home depot rhinelander
  8. lowes las cruces nm
Project Categories
  1. Perfume
  2. Body Spray
  3. Essential Oils
  4. Scented Candles
  5. Car Air Fresheners
  6. Scented Sachets
  7. Fragrance Lamp
  8. Perfume Oils
Featured Content
  1. jo malone candle
  2. best candles
  3. jo malone candles
  4. target candles
  5. hotel lobby candle
  6. good car air freshener
  7. best air freshener for car
  8. body spray for men
  • Copyright © 2025 Scent Snob. All rights reserved