Candle Burning Tips

• Always trim the wicks to 1/4 inch, even a brand new candle.  This keeps the flame for being too large and burning the candle too fast or smoking and causing soot. It also keeps the carbon built up to a minimum.  Always remove the trimmings before lighting the candle.  Never allow a candle to flicker excessively, smoke, or have too large of a flame.
• Keep candles out of any drafts so that they will burn evenly across the top.
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• When burning a pillar candle, be sure to burn the candle for at least one hour for every inch in diameter.  The wax has a sort of "memory" and will not burn properly if only allowed to burn for a short time.  If only a small area was melted in the top of the candle, it will tunnel down from there and eventually drown the wick and waste a lot of wax.  However, once the melted wax has reached about 1/4 inch of edge, extinguish it and allow it to completely solidify and cool before relighting to avoid it melting through the edge or side and dripping. 
• Jar Candles need to be allowed to burn 3-4 hours since you need to allow a "meltpool" to form.  A hot meltpool is what gives off the scent. When you have got a good liquid pool of wax (about 2-3 hours into the burn time) the wick flame will start giving off the scent. Also, burning a jar candle this long allows it to burn more evenly so that you don't end up with a lot of wasted wax on the sides of the jar. 
• Stop burning a pillar or jar candle when it gets down to about 1/2 to 3/4 and inch of wax to avoid breaking the jar or container.  However, a electric candle warmer is wonderful for using up the last or these types of candles.  Just set the jar on and leave it; or put the pillar candle into a heat resistant glass container and set on the warmer.  They will allow you to get the last of the scent from them before you have to throw them away.To remove the used wax from the glass container when it is ready to be discarded, allow it wax to cool and solidify then pop it into the freezer for 10-15 minutes to allow the wax to shrink.  It should come out with a little prying or even just slip out. 
• Candles always make a cozy atmosphere and it is just about impossible to use too many of them.  They will also add heat to a room or your house, so if you are planning a party with a lot of people and candles, you may want to turn your thermostat back a few degrees so that you don't end up with a house that is too hot to enjoy. 

Also, oil lamps can make a lovely addition to a cozy look.  Just be sure to buy the lamp oil rather than kerosene.  This will not make your house smell of kerosene.  Check hobby stores in the candle aisle for colored lamp oil that will match your decor.

These tiny oil lamps have been in the family for many, many years.