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My Reward PointsCandles can create warmth and ambiance in any room, but sometimes, while they burn, we may experience popping or crackling sounds that we did not anticipate. Some people enjoy the crackle and soothing sound of the flame, but others may find it distracting.
The possible sounds are related to characteristics of the candle you may or may not be aware of. Understanding why your candle pops or crackles can help you appreciate it more and help you learn how to reduce those sounds so you can have a more peaceful experience.
Reason Behind Candle Crackling & Popping Sound
When wax burns, any trapped air, moisture, or contaminants or impurities (the wax) will react with the heat and will cause some of the air, moisture, or contaminants to expand and/or vaporize. These occurrences lead to small bursts or crackle and pop sounds you may experience that would surprise the consumer.
1. Moisture Around Candle
Moisture in or around the wax evaporates when heated, which will cause candle crackling noises when the candle burns, from the steam escaping.
2. Air Bubbles
When the wax goes with air bubbles sealed inside, the bubbles expand when heated, which means they burst and can produce popping, crackling sounds as the candle burns.
3. Candle Size
The larger or thicker the candle, there is increased the likelihood of moisture and air, and the chances of candle popping sounds since the wax is more likely to heat unevenly.
4. Fragrance Oil Issues
Too much or low-grade fragrance oil can destabilize the wax and cause air bubbles and uneven burns, which can lead to popping or crackling noises.
5. Debris in the Wax
If there were shards or debris, little bits in the wax, it could crackle or pop, as any flame heats and burns the wax, heating the debris.
How to Prevent Candle Crackling and Popping Sound
Candle popping can be avoided by using correct wick sizes, regularly trimming wicks, and burning the candle long enough to create an even melt pool on the wax surface (and allow the material to vaporize, rather than create soot). Lastly, using a quality wax and fragrance oils also helps to reduce the potential for popping and crackling over minor considerations that help reduce this form of phenomenon.
1. Trim Wicks Properly
In order to limit the size of the flame. Keep your candle wick trimmed to about a quarter inch to limit excessive flame size, which then limits overheating and further limits the possibility of candle crackling flames.
2. Let the Candle Burn Properly
Letting the candle burn long enough for all the wax to turn into a liquid pool (that can cause most candle waxes to take time to release the trapped air and moisture) helps to gradually start eliminating some of the bubbles taking flight during combustion.
3. Use High-Quality Wax
Quality waxes contain lower fragrance and impurities, and air bubbles that help yield a more even burn, and reduce the noise and or popping during use.
4. Measure Fragrance Oil Quantity
Correctly measuring the right dosage of fragrance oil is important, if candle wax is destabilized with too much and or lower quality oil could create bubbles in their wax, altogether defined as popping and crackling.
5. Select an Appropriate Size of the Wick
Using the proper size wick and burning the wick to preheat the candle prior would yield a consistent burn without any overheating of the wax and avoid candle crackling due to oversized flames.
Conclusion
It is normal to experience candle popping and crackling due to trapped air, excessive moisture, the size of the wick, and the quality of the wax. If you properly care for your candles (such as continuously trimming the wick and using quality candle-making material), you can reduce or eliminate these types of sounds from a candle and enjoy a peaceful and cozy environment with only a flickering flame from the candle.
FAQ
1. What are the waxes that don’t pop?
Pure soy wax and beeswax tend to pop very little because they burn slower and more evenly, and because of their purity, which is why most candle makers use those types of wax.
2. Does the candle popping affect the candle’s performance?
Candle popping generally does not affect performance, but can reduce a candle’s life if the popping causes it to burn unevenly or causes the wick to burn too hot.
3. Are crackling candles safe?
Yes, crackling candles are safe because they use the right wick and wax materials, and you are using them correctly, but it is still advised that the candle should always be monitored when burning.
4. Is it normal for a candle to crackle?
It is normal for a candle to crackle every now and then. Crackling candles usually happen when air and moisture are trapped within the wax, and it vaporizes or steams, as the candle starts to heat while burning.
5. How to keep a candle from crackling?
There are a few things you can do to eliminate crackling sounds from a candle, such as maintaining the wick length consistently, ensuring that candles are burned long enough to create an even melt pool, using quality wax, and not using too many fragrance oils.
