Candle flickering, even without wind, is often due to pollutants and carbon buildup. during manufacturing, wicks and waxes can contain impurities or air pockets, leading to an uneven flame. Burning the wick creates carbon, which can clog it and disrupt the burn. A candle flame needs oxygen and melted wax to stay lit. The wick draws up liquid wax to feed the flame. Any disruption to the oxygen or wax supply causes the flame to flicker. Therefore, flickering is usually caused by a blockage in the oxygen or wax flow.
What to Do to Stop a Candle From Flickering?
If flickering candles bother you, try eliminating common causes. Start by moving the candle away from drafts. windows, doorways, and fans can all disrupt the flame. Keep the wick trimmed to prevent carbon buildup and mushrooming. These steps frequently enough fix flickering. If the problem continues, there may be little else you can do.
Is It Risky for Candles to Flicker?
Even though flickering candles aren’t dangerous, they signal an issue with their burn.if a candle suddenly flickers, try to find the cause. Extinguish the candle first. Than,try moving it to a different spot or trimming the wick. See if these adjustments solve the problem.
Do Candles Flicker Because of Improper Storage?
A candle’s flicker can be influenced by its storage. Think about how you stored it before lighting. Imagine leaving a candle uncovered in your bathroom for months. It likely absorbed moisture and dust,affecting its burn. Always store cooled candles in sealed bags for protection. A dark place also helps preserve the candle’s scent.
Why Do Candle Flames Wiggle?
The intense heat from the candle flame shapes the surrounding air into its characteristic teardrop form. This heat can cause the flame to flicker or waver. Though, this is normal if the wick is properly trimmed and there are no drafts.
How Do Moisture and Impurities Cause a Candle to Flicker?
The candle’s flicker might simply be due to the wax itself. Wax is the candle’s primary fuel source. The wick doesn’t solely sustain the flame. Think of it as a pilot light in a steam engine, where the wax provides the energy.
The candle’s flame heats the wax. The wick draws the melted wax upwards. This wax then vaporizes and burns. The burning vapor creates the candle’s light. Extinguishing the flame releases a small amount of smoke.
wax flow in the wick can be disturbed by imperfections. these include small debris, flakes, or air bubbles. This also applies to fragrance oils and herbal extracts in scented candles.
How Does Wind Affect the Flickering of a Candle?
Wind is a well-known cause of candle flickering. Even without noticeable wind, subtle air currents can exist. In older homes, check doors and windows for drafts. Open windows, running fans, or damaged weather stripping can also create airflow. These factors can all influence ambient air movement. In older houses,windy days might cause curtains to sway. Therefore, a draft strong enough to move a curtain can definitely make a candle flicker.
Is it Possible for the Wax to Cause the Candle to Flicker?
Candle flickering is truly interesting. It happens due to several wax-related reasons. The candle’s wax is the flame’s fuel, not the wick itself. Think of the wick as a pilot light, and the wax as the main fuel source. The flame heats the wax, creating vapors that travel up the wick to burn.That scent you smell is actually wax vapor.Uneven heating, caused by insufficient fuel consumption or a lack of air pockets and impurities, can also cause flickering.
What are the Ways How to Stop a Candle from Flickering?
Thus, always maintain a three-foot safety zone around burning candles. Keep them away from anything flammable. Several methods can help you achieve this. Explore them below.
Reduce the Air Flow in the Room
Candles usually burn out for a simple reason: airflow. Even slight breezes or humidity can cause flickering.If airflow is the issue, try reducing drafts in the room.
For instance, a running fan or AC unit creates significant airflow. If this occurs, consider turning one off. If that’s not possible, position the candle at least three feet from any fan or cooling system. You can also create a small, sheltered area to shield the candle from excessive drafts.
Clean the Top surface
Candle flames flicker due to wax impurities like dust. Candle surfaces often gather dirt and ash. This is common in lidless candles, as airborne dust settles on the wick. To clean, gently wipe the wax with a clean cloth, removing dirt and ash. Make sure the wax is cool enough to avoid burns and ensure complete cleaning. Regularly wipe the wax surface to prevent soot and dirt buildup.
Trim the Wick
The wick might be the problem. A faulty candle wick can cause issues. burning candles creates carbon buildup on the wicks. This leads to uneven and distorted flames. Trim the wick to 1/4 inch after each use. Limit burning time to 4-5 hours to prevent this. This also extends the candle’s lifespan.