The Ultimate Guide to Caring for Wooden Wick Candles

In the heart of the American West, where rugged landscapes inspire every creation, R. Rebellion crafts candles that echo the spirit of the frontier. Our wooden wick candles, with their gentle crackle and warm glow, are more than just sources of light—they’re an experience, a journey back to simpler times. To ensure you savor every moment with your candle, proper care is essential.

Understanding Wooden Wicks

Wooden wicks offer a unique ambiance, but they require specific care to perform optimally. Common issues, such as difficulty lighting or the wick extinguishing prematurely, can often be attributed to improper trimming or environmental factors. Ensuring the wick is appropriately trimmed and free from charred wood can significantly enhance performance.

Preparing Your Candle

Trim the Wick: Before each lighting, ensure your wooden wick is trimmed to a length between 1/8 to 1/4 inch. This precise trimming promotes a steady flame and optimal burn time.

Remove Charred Wood: After the candle has cooled completely, gently remove any charred wood from previous burns, taking care not to let debris fall into the wax. This minimizes soot, controls fragrance release, and encourages an even melt pool.

Achieving an Even Burn

On your candle’s initial burn, allow the wax to melt uniformly across the entire surface until it reaches the vessel’s edges. This process, which may take several hours depending on the candle’s size, prevents tunneling—a condition where the candle burns down the center, leaving unused wax along the sides. Dedicating time to this first burn sets the foundation for consistent performance in future uses.

Lighting Techniques

When igniting your wooden wick:

Tilt the candle slightly.

Apply the flame to the base of the wick, near the wax surface.

This method allows the flame to draw evenly across the wick’s length, ensuring a uniform ignition. Be patient, as wooden wicks may take a bit longer to light compared to traditional cotton wicks.

Tailored Burn Times for R. Rebellion Candles

At R. Rebellion, we believe every candle is an experience, and proper care ensures you get the best from each one. Our wooden wick candles come in three unique sizes—8 oz, Le Grand, and Belle size—each crafted to provide a luxurious and consistent burn. However, their specific burn times to achieve the ideal melt pool vary:

8 oz Candle

Burn Time for Full Melt Pool: 2–3 hours

Why It Matters: The smaller size of our 8 oz candle allows the wax to melt to the edges in a shorter time, ensuring an even burn and preventing tunneling.

Tip: Always ensure the wick is trimmed to 1/8 inch before each use for a clean, steady flame.

Le Grand Candle

Burn Time for Full Melt Pool: 5–6 hours

Why It Matters: With its impressive 150 oz capacity and four wooden wicks, the Le Grand candle requires extended burn sessions to melt the wax evenly. This prevents wasted wax along the edges and optimizes its luxurious 250+ hours of burn time.

Tip: Allow ample time for this candle during each session—it’s perfect for long evenings or special gatherings.

Belle Size Candle

Burn Time for Full Melt Pool: 3–4 hours

Why It Matters: The Belle size balances between the compact 8 oz and the grand Le Grand. Its larger surface area needs just the right burn duration to create an even melt pool and release its full fragrance potential.

Tip: Perfect for daily use, the Belle size provides an ideal option for those who love to enjoy their candles regularly.

Maintaining Candle Health

To preserve the integrity of your candle and ensure safety:

Burn Duration: Limit each burning session to no more than four hours. Exceeding this time can cause the vessel to overheat and may affect candle performance.

Storage: Keep your candle in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Exposure to heat and light can alter the wax and fragrance, diminishing the candle’s quality.

Safety Precautions: Always burn candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface, away from drafts, flammable materials, and out of reach of children and pets. Never leave a burning candle unattended.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If your wooden wick candle struggles to stay lit, it might be due to an overly long wick or residual charred wood hindering the wax’s ability to fuel the flame. Ensure the wick is properly trimmed and free from debris. Remember, it’s the wax that fuels the flame, not the wood itself.

By following these care guidelines, your R. Rebellion wooden wick candle will provide a consistent, clean burn, filling your space with the evocative scents of the West and the comforting ambiance of a crackling fire. Embrace the ritual of candle care, and let each lighting be a moment of reflection and connection to the enduring spirit of the frontier.