How To Determine Candle Burn Time

Coming in hot! There are several variables that will affect your candle burn time so it is not an exact science that can be perfectly measured.

Not all candles are created equal. The size, weight, candle wax type and wick will affect your burn time.

A general rule is that candles burn at 7-9 hours per ounce of wax. However, this is a rough estimate. Keep reading to see everything that factors into burn time.

look at your wick size

Wick size definitely matters. Yep, we said it! The bigger the wick, the larger the flame, which will cause the wax to burn faster. A wick that is too thick for your wax type can cause larger flames and at the same time a higher burn rate.

At the same time, having a wider wick will cause the melt pool to be achieved faster and cause it to be too deep  which will greatly reduce the burn time and life of the candle.

In addition, larger candles and multiple wick candles tend to have a longer burn life, while smaller candles like votives are very short-lived, but can serve many purposes.

conduct a burn test

The best measurement of a candle burn life is calculated by doing a full burn test. Conducting burn tests is an important part of candle making. It will help with calculating burn time but it's also essential for ensuring that all of your candle components work well together.

We recommend at least 3 full burn tests before making a final decision on which candle wick size or type to use. Each test should be 2-4 hours, depending on the size of the candle.

While conducting your burn test, make sure you write down how many times it takes to completely extinguish itself.  While this is time consuming, it is the most accurate method of measurement.

We recommend you do this in your testing phase with 3-5 candles at the same time, to ensure consistency. If you are short on time, consider a partial burn test. You will need to know the amount of wax used in the final product.

Due to candle vessels of different sizes and materials, the downside is that wick sizes will differ every time a variable is altered. With all testing, it is super important to trim the wick 3/16 inch before the initial lighting and remove the carbon after each burn test.  

get a full melt pool

It is also recommended to melt the wax all the way to the edges to get a full melt pool and consistent burn. This will ensure the best hot throw while burning your candles. Then, allow the candle to cool completely after extinguishing the flame before burning it again.

Be mindful of keeping your candle away from fans and breezes that will make your candle burn at a faster rate and remember to never leave your candles unattended, with children and/or pets present. 

Burn, baby, burn! That was just fun to say...keep shining, makers!