Imagine that you are opening a newly bought candle and waiting to light it. Within a few hours, you have noticed that it has already burned to a nub. Have you ever thought about why some candles burn completely in a while and others last long?
Candles brighten a dark room, add ambience to your home, and create the tone of a room. They are sources of warmth, fragrance, and luxury, contributing to the atmosphere. Understanding the life of a candle is not just its burning time. The lifetime of a candle starts from the moment it is made and continues even when it is not lit, thereby influencing its surroundings.
Go through this article to learn how long do candles last, do they have an expiry date, and many more interesting facts about candles.
What Factors Will Impact The Burning Time Of A Candle?
Various factors influence the burn time of a candle. Some are based on the candle, such as the size, shape, and the materials used for its preparation. The others include how you use and care for them. Let’s understand these factors and learn how they affect the lifespan of a candle.
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The Type Of A Wax Impacts The Burn Time Of A Candle:
The wax type used in a candle greatly impacts its burn time. The most commonly used wax, namely paraffin wax, burns quickly. It offers a bright light but has a shorter lifespan. Whereas, soy wax burns slower and cooler, thus increasing its lifespan. Beeswax burns even slower than soy wax, making it a great option for long-lasting candles. Whatever the wax type, each candle has a unique feature in terms of aroma and aesthetics, along with its burn time.
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The Size And Shape Of A Candle Affect Its Burn Time:
Not only the wax type but also the size and shape of the candle impact its burn time. Larger candles burn longer as the amount of wax used is greater. For example, a tall, thin, and tapered candle may burn faster than that of a short, wide, pillared candle, though they both weigh the same. The wider candle has a larger surface area for the wax to pool and thus burns slower and lasts longer.
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Wick Material Affects The Candle’s Burn Time:
The wick determines the lifespan of a candle. The material and thickness can greatly impact how long the candle lasts. Cotton wicks are the most common types that give a clean and steady flame. Whereas, the wooden candles, though they give an aesthetic feel, burn faster and hotter with a crackling sound. The thicker wicks, though they contain more wax, burn faster compared to the thinner wicks.
Average Burn Times For Various Candles:
Each candle type provides a different ambiance, and their burning time also differs. Whether it is a tiny tealight candle or a large container candle, knowing how long the candle lasts will help you select the right candle suitable for your needs.
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How Long Do Tealight Candles Last?
Are you organizing a party or dinner at your space? Then these tealight candles are a great option. They are small and are encased in thin and short metal containers and offer a warm ambiance with a flickering glow. Though they are tiny, they have a great burn time that lasts for 3 to 6 hours on average. Because of their small size and short burning time, they are considered best for short-term commitments, where you want a candlelight ambience.
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How Long Do Votive Candles Last?
Votive candles are slightly larger than tealight candles. They don’t come in a container but need to be kept in a votive holder. They have a longer burning time, usually about 6 to 8 hours. Due to their longer lifespan, different colors and fragrances, they are the best choice for events and daily use.
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How Long Do Pillar Candles Last?
Pillar candles have a longer burn time due to their size (including height and diameter) and wax type. It is recommended to burn these candles for 3 to 4 hours at a time. This practice helps in the formation of a wax pool and avoids the tunneling of the candle, which may reduce its lifespan.
Never burn pillar candles continuously for 4 hours. It may lead to carbon build-up on the wick and cause a mushrooming effect that lowers the performance of the candle.
As per the rule, candles must take 4-5 hours burn time per ounce of wax. Hence, the burn time of pillar candles may vary.
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How Long Do Container Candles Last?
Container candles, including jar candles or tin candles, are one of the popular and widely used candle types. They are available in various sizes, fragrances, colours, and styles. They are best suitable for home decor and gifts. While the smaller container candle burns for 15 to 40 hours, a larger container candle can last longer, about 60 hours or even more. As they are enclosed in a container, these candles enable the wax to burn slowly and evenly, spreading the aroma and light for hours together.
How To Make Your Candle Last Longer:
1. Keep It Away From The Sun:
Sunlight is the enemy of any candles. Candles made from essential oils, natural aromas, and plant-based or organic waxes are easily affected by sunlight. If your table gets a lot of sunlight, consider placing your candles in closed cabinets or closets that are not used often.
2. Place It In An Air-Tight Container:
Glass jar candles come with an air-tight lid. It blocks fragrance from leaking into the air. Follow this technique, even for normal candles, if you want to seal the freshness of your candles.
3. Protect It From Extreme Temperatures:
Extreme heat or extreme cold will affect the fragrance and consistency of a wax. Keep them in cool and dark places to maintain their freshness.
Final Thoughts:
Apart from lighting up the darker space at night, candles serve many more purposes. They increase the ambiance, bring warmth, and spread fragrance to the space. Candles also add richness and decor to the room.
By selecting the right candles, knowing their lifespan, and understanding how long do candles last, you can make the best use of them and enjoy their light and fragrance as long as you want.
We Welcome Your Feedback.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1. How Long Do Candles Last?
The lifespan of a candle varies depending on the type of wax, size, shape, and materials. Sometimes, even the environmental conditions, such as sunlight, extreme temperatures, also affect the lifespan of the candles.
Q2. Which Type Of Candle Would Burn Longer?
Container candles are said to last longer. Candles with beeswax or soy oil also last for hours.
Q3. Do Larger And Thicker Candles Burn Longer?
Yes, the larger candles with a wide shape burn longer.
Q4. How To Make Candles Last Longer?
You can enhance the lifespan of a candle by following certain things, including protecting it from sunlight, shielding it from extreme hot or cold temperatures, storing it in an air-tight container, keeping it in a closed cabinet, and so on.