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My Reward PointsThe flickering flame of a candle gives an enthralling and romantic atmosphere, one in which comfort and relaxation frequently reside. However, while the flame's dance attains the effectiveness of being enchanting, it can also mean that there is a problem in the burning process of the candle. Knowing the reasons that cause flickering helps manage to obtain a glow that is consistent and serene when using candles.
What is Candle Flicker?
Candle flickering describes the variable movement of one's flame and its unsteadiness, throwing it into the dance, sway, or sputter. Although it may seem lovely, flickering indicates something triggering within or outside factors to the candle and burning inadequacy. Examples of these factors include, but are not limited to, environmental conditions, candle quality, and materials used to produce the candle.
Reasons Behind the Candle Flame Flickering
1. Oxygen Levels
To flame evenly in combustion, a candle flame needs an adequate supply of oxygen. While the room is poorly ventilated or in situations of airflow fluctuation, candle flames drift, making them either flicker or unsteady. Oxygen supply is also disturbed by drafts from windows, fans, or air conditioning.
2. Uneven Burning of the Candle
As the wax pools, it steers the flame towards the higher side of that pool, causing flicker. In this respect, uneven surface or improper positioning of the candle creates unsteady burns.
3. Impurities in the Wax
Some wax impurities-residual chemicals, and low-quality additives burn in an irregular manner, releasing fumes that interfere with the flame, which is caused by flickering. High-quality pure candle waxes are not as prone to this.
4. Poor Quality Wick
Substandard wicks burn in an irregular manner that results in an irregular fuel supply to the flame, causing wavering or sputtering, thus losing their smooth candle burning.
5. Wick Curling
Wicks may curl as they burn, exposing different parts of a wick to the flame, which then causes the wax to melt unevenly, which then gives more than enough fuel to the flame.
6. Moisture Around the Wick
Moisture in or around the wick can be the cause of sputtering and flickering as water disrupts the burning process, causing erratic flame behavior. This is especially common for candles held in humid environments.
How to Fix a Flickering Candle
Flickering can easily be cured by examining the whole space where the candle has been placed. Position the candle in a draft-free region where oxygen flows freely around. A place near windows, vents, or fans should not be where you burn candles.
Trim the wick to about 1/4 inch before each use to encourage a steady burn. Too long or frayed, the candle wick causes uneven burning and, therefore flickering. An uneven wax pool requires a candle to burn until the entire surface is molten to make it even. This is a "memory burn," and it ensures that in subsequent uses, the candle will burn evenly.
Select high-quality candles made from pure wax and well-constructed wicks. Reserve candles with highly fragrant oils, as fumes will be released, destabilizing the flame. Trim curled wicks and straighten the wicks to consistently burn the candle. Finally, store the candles in dry conditions so that moisture get to the wick or wax.
Conclusion
By all means, a flickering candle flame is more than that; it is often a pointer to environmental factors, wick issues, or that candle quality's surrounded with taking steps to solving these problems; thus, enjoy a stable, calming glow that prettifies a space. In turn, this will mean that your candles will burn more efficiently and last longer each time you use them.
FAQs
1. Why is my candle flame dancing so much?
Usually, flames dance due to the presence of drafts, uneven melting of the wax, or an untrimmed wick. Fixing these factors would tend to stabilize the flame.
2. Why is my candle flickering with no wind?
Impurities in the wax, poor-quality wicks, or moisture around the wick all cause the combustion process to become erratic, and that's why it flickers.
3. Does using too much fragrance oil cause candle flickering?
Yes, to a flickering flame, much fragrance oil creates fumes that play havoc with the burning process, disturbing the equilibrium of the flame.
