Candle Care Guide
How to Care for Your Wood Wick Candle
A few simple steps to get the most out of every burn — from the first light to the final glow.
The First Burn Is Everything
Your first burn sets the tone for the entire candle's life. Allow the wax to melt all the way to the edges of the jar — this usually takes 2 to 3 hours. Extinguishing too early creates a "memory ring" that causes tunneling on future burns.
Trim the Wick Before Every Light
Use your fingers or a wick trimmer to gently break off the charred wood from the previous burn. Aim for a wick height of about 3 to 5 millimeters. A wick that's too long will produce a tall, flickering flame; too short and it may struggle to stay lit.
Keep Burns Under 4 Hours
Wood wicks burn best in sessions of 2 to 4 hours. Burning longer than 4 hours can overheat the glass, cause the fragrance to dissipate too quickly, and produce excess soot. Short, consistent burns deliver the richest scent throw.
Avoid Drafts
Place your candle away from open windows, fans, and air vents. Drafts cause uneven burning, excessive flickering, and can push the flame toward one side of the jar — leading to tunneling and wasted wax.
Troubleshooting: Wick Won't Stay Lit
If your wood wick won't stay lit, the most common cause is a wick that's too long or has too much charred material. Trim it down to 3mm, ensure the wax pool is clear of debris, and try relighting. The initial flame may be small — give it 2 minutes to establish.
Know When to Stop
Stop burning when roughly 1 centimeter of wax remains at the bottom. Burning below this level risks overheating the glass. Once your candle is finished, clean out the jar with warm water — it makes a beautiful vessel for plants, brushes, or small keepsakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my wood wick candle crackle?
The crackling sound comes from moisture trapped in the natural wood fibers. As the flame heats the wick, tiny pockets of water and sap vaporize — creating that cozy fireplace sound. It's completely natural and one of the signature qualities of wood wick candles.
How is a wood wick different from a cotton wick?
Wood wicks produce a wider, flatter flame that melts wax more evenly across the surface. They also create the signature crackling sound, generate a warmer aesthetic, and tend to throw fragrance more efficiently due to the broader flame profile.
Can I relight a wood wick candle if it goes out?
Absolutely. Simply trim any excess charred wood from the wick, make sure the wax pool around the wick is clear, and relight. If the wick is buried in wax, carefully pour off a small amount of melted wax to expose more of the wick.
How long do VERIFLAME candles burn?
Our standard 10oz candles offer approximately 55 to 65 hours of burn time when properly maintained. Following the care tips above — especially trimming the wick and keeping burns under 4 hours — will maximize your candle's lifespan.
Ready to experience the crackling warmth?