How to Get the Best Burn From Your Candle

Every Northern Ember candle is hand poured with care, and a little candle care goes a long way. Follow these simple steps to help your candle burn cleaner, last longer, and perform at its best.

1. Trim Your Wick

Before each burn, trim your wick to approximately 1/4 inch.

A properly trimmed wick helps:

• reduce excess smoke
• prevent large flames
• create a cleaner, more even burn
• extend the life of your candle

If the flame becomes too large or flickers heavily, extinguish the candle, let it cool, trim the wick, and relight.

2. Let the Wax Melt Evenly

The first burn is the most important.

Allow the wax to melt fully across the surface of the candle before blowing it out. This helps prevent tunneling, which is when wax builds up around the edges and only burns down the centre.

For best results, burn your candle for about 2–3 hours on the first use, or until the melt pool reaches the edges of the jar.

3. Avoid Short Burns

Burning your candle for only a few minutes at a time can cause uneven melting.

Try to let your candle burn long enough for the wax to melt evenly across the top. This helps your candle last longer and keeps the fragrance throw more consistent.

4. Do Not Burn for Too Long

For safety and performance, avoid burning your candle for more than 4 hours at a time.

Long burns can cause:

• the jar to become too hot
• the wick to mushroom
• excess soot
• fragrance performance to weaken over time

After 4 hours, extinguish the candle and allow it to cool before relighting.

5. Burn on a Safe Surface

Always place your candle on a stable, heat-resistant surface.

Keep your candle away from:

• curtains
• bedding
• books or paper
• drafts
• pets
• children
• anything flammable

Never leave a burning candle unattended.

6. Keep the Wax Pool Clean

Keep matches, wick trimmings, dust, and debris out of the wax.

A clean wax pool helps your candle burn safely and evenly.

7. Know When to Stop Burning

Stop using your candle when about 1/2 inch of wax remains at the bottom of the jar.

Burning a candle all the way down can cause the jar to overheat.

8. Extinguish With Care

Use a candle snuffer if you have one, or gently blow out the flame.

Avoid splashing hot wax. Let the candle cool completely before moving, trimming the wick, or relighting.

9. Store Your Candle Properly

When not in use, keep your candle in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

To help preserve the fragrance and keep dust away, place the lid back on once the candle has fully cooled.

Quick Candle Care Checklist

Before each burn:

• Trim wick to 1/4 inch
• Place candle on a heat-safe surface
• Keep away from drafts and flammable items
• Let wax melt evenly across the surface
• Do not burn longer than 4 hours
• Never leave unattended

A Better Burn Starts With Simple Care

With the right care, your Northern Ember candle will burn cleaner, last longer, and fill your space with warmth from the first light to the final burn.