The history of the candle is estimated to be 5000 years old. The first candles were made of straw, hemp, or reed, soaked in fat or resin to make it flammable. In ancient Rome, rolled papyrus sheets were dipped in liquid tallow or in beeswax. In the Middle Ages, the beeswax candles appeared. They burned cleaner and gave off a sweet smell. Since the beeswax candles were very expensive, they were only used in ceremonies in the church – even in very “rich” houses, they were lit. Scented candles are still used for “normal use”.
The variety of candles is great. With this diversity, the differences in production and quality also increase. Since it is a fuel, you should also pay attention to safety. These are the things one must keep in mind in order to avoid any kind of inconvenience in future.
What to do if there are heavy smoking and crackling?
If the wick is too long, it forms a lot of soot. And if it is too short, the flame will not burn well. Therefore, the quality association advises candles to be about 10 to 15 millimeters long. There is also a tip for extinguishing the flame if it is suffocated instead of blown out, less smoke is formed.
The candle usually crackles when it is wet. If rainwater has dripped into the brazier, simply wipe it dry. If the wick is wet, the crackle cannot be prevented. But it is not dangerous.
Unilateral burning of the candle: what to do?
If the candle burns only on one side, it is usually due to the wick, explains the consumer center in Hamburg. It should simply be bent carefully until it is straight and centered again. In order to prevent the candle from gradually becoming hollow and then burning poorly, it should always remain on until the entire top layer of wax has become liquid.
Make candles yourself
If you want to make a candle yourself, you need Wax melts, a glass for the new candle, wooden sticks, a pot, and a container for the water bath to melt the wax. Crumble the remaining candles into small pieces and remove the wicks if necessary. Then fill the pieces into the warming container, put them in a water bath and let them melt on low heat. Attention: The container can then no longer be used. Never let the wax melt directly in the pot, it could start to burn. If the wax melts is liquid, immerse the wick several times. Then press down on the underside of the candle glass. The wick attach to the top of the wooden stick placed over the glass. Finally pour the wax into the glass and let it harden.
Conclusion: Pay attention to the organic seal
High-quality candles can be recognized by the certified organic seal. This guarantees that the wax used comes from vegetable fats from sustainable cultivation. The quality mark is also a distinguishing mark for tested candles that do not endanger health.
