Candle Maintenance

First Burn and Wick Maintenance

At Wicks Fur Change, we are dedicated to providing you with the highest quality candles, and we want to ensure that you get the most enjoyment out of every burn. To help you achieve the best experience, we include a Candle Care Card with every order, which provides essential tips and recommendations. Please take the time to read it carefully and follow the guidelines to get the most out of your candle.

 

Why Is the First Burn So Important?

The first burn of your candle is crucial for ensuring optimal performance and longevity. While we perform extensive testing to create a candle that delivers a superior experience, the first burn sets the foundation for all future burns. This burn is often referred to as the “memory burn.”

What is a Memory Burn?

The memory burn is the initial burn that establishes the candle’s melt pool and scent throw. It plays a critical role in ensuring the candle burns evenly and that the fragrance is fully released. This first burn sets the boundaries for every subsequent burn, so it’s important to do it right.

 

Preparing for Your Memory Burn

To ensure your first burn is successful, it's important to consider the diameter of your candle. A general rule of thumb is that for every inch of diameter, you should burn the candle for approximately one hour. For example, our candles are 4 inches wide, plan to burn it for at least 3 hours during its first use, not exceeding 4 hours.

By allowing the wax to fully melt to the edge of the container during the first burn, you’ll prevent tunneling—a common issue where the candle burns down the center, leaving wax on the outer edges. Ensuring a complete melt pool will allow you to enjoy the full life of the candle, and you won’t waste any of its goodness.

 

Trimming Your Cotton Wicks

Proper wick maintenance is key to ensuring a clean, even burn. Our candles feature high-quality cotton wicks, which provide a steady, clean flame and excellent scent throw. To maintain their performance, it’s essential to trim the wicks before each burn.

How to Trim Your Cotton Wicks:

  • Trim to 1/8 to 1/4 inch before each use to ensure a clean, controlled burn. This will prevent excessive flickering and ensure an even flame.
  • You can easily trim the wick by using a wick trimmer, nail clippers, or even your fingers to remove the excess ash.
  • Always make sure the wick is trimmed to the correct length before lighting the candle for the best experience.
  • If you notice the flame is too large or flickering excessively, it’s time to trim the wick. A large flame can lead to sooting or a shorter burn time.

 

Accidentally Trimmed the Wick Too Short?
If you accidentally trim the wick too short, don’t worry! Simply remove a small amount of wax around the wick using a utensil to ensure there is enough oxygen for it to burn again.

If you encounter any issues with your wick or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are always happy to help!