Incomplete combustion in candles is a common issue many people encounter when using scented candles. There are various reasons for incomplete combustion, sometimes due to the quality or manufacturing process of the candles, and other times due to incorrect usage. But no matter the situation, there's no need to worry. This article will teach candle beginners three steps to solve the problem of Incomplete combustion.
Reasons for Incomplete combustion
There are many reasons why candles have incomplete combustion. Firstly, the quality and materials of the candles can affect the completeness of the burning. Low-quality candles may contain impurities that interfere with the burning process, resulting in incomplete or unstable burning and the production of black smoke. Additionally, the length and shape of the wick can also affect the completeness of the burning. A wick that is too long or too short can prevent the candle from burning evenly, leading to an unstable flame. The recommended length for a wick is about 0.5-0.6 centimeters, as a wick that is too long may even produce black smoke.
Secondly, environmental conditions are also one of the reasons for incomplete combustion. Poor air circulation or excessive humidity in the air can affect the burning effectiveness of the candle. Moisture can also affect the melting point and characteristics of soy wax, causing the flame to become unstable.
The Impact of Black Smoke from Incomplete Combustion
Black smoke from incomplete combustion of candle may affect health
A study conducted in 2009 found that burning paraffin wax candles may release potentially hazardous chemicals, such as toluene. Therefore, most scented candles on the market no longer use paraffin wax. Although there is no clear evidence that burning candles is harmful to health, burning candles can still release volatile organic compounds and particulate matter into the air.
Volatile organic compounds are very common and can be found in car exhaust, factory pollution, and other combustion of fossil fuels. In today's environment with poor air quality, excessive inhalation of smoke is not good for the body, so it is best to avoid it!
Black smoke from incomplete combustion reduces the scent throw
Black smoke produced by incomplete combustion significantly affects the scent throw of scented candles. If your candle is made of beeswax with high proportion, the scent released from the candle is already mild and gentle. The black smoke from incomplete combustion may further decrease the fragrance of the scent. What a waste, right?
Steps to Solve Incomplete Combustion of Candle
- Ensure the first burn is sufficient, at least 1-2 hours. After 1-2 hours, if you notice that the surface wax hasn't completely melted, gently rotate the glass container.
- If the wick is tilted and causing uneven burning, you can use tweezers, wick trimmers, or heat-resistant tools to gently move the wick, allowing it to burn in all directions as much as possible.
- If the above two steps do not solve the problem after burning for more than two hours, you can wait for the wax to cool down and then use a spoon or scraper to slightly gather the wax from the sides towards the center, forcing a more even burn.
（Read More: Why I Can’t Smell My Scented Candle? Avoid These Five Common Pitfalls! – Aerix Co）
Conclusion
Incomplete combustion may be caused by poor candle quality, wick length being too long or too short, and environmental conditions. In addition to affecting the fragrance effect, long-term inhalation may also affect respiratory health. Tunneling candles caused by incomplete combustion can also lead to waste as well.
The scented candles produced by Aerix and EyeCandle use a special proportion of plant wax, allowing for stable burning and minimizing the possibility of tunneling candles. Unless the fragrance has significantly decreased, there is no need to pour out the wax. They are high-quality and easy-to-care-for luxury scented candles!
