Candles are a beautiful way to add ambiance to any room, but they can also be dangerous if not used properly. This blog post will discuss the best ways to put out a candle safely. We will also cover some of the people’s most common mistakes when using candles. So, whether you’re a first-time candle-lighter or an experienced pro, read on for some valuable tips!
Although you can put a candle flame out with a candle lid, many issues come with this method. Using the candle lid will cause soot buildup, impact fragrance, and can cause a fire hazard. You should use a candle snuffer or wick dipper to extinguish your candles.
We will now answer all your questions surrounding how to put out your candles safely and why using a lid can impact your candles and even cause hazards within your household.
Can you put out a candle with the lid?
Technically you can put a candle out by placing the lid on the top of the jar. This process will stop the flame from receiving oxygen, a crucial element it needs to burn. The benefit to doing this is no smoke will be released into the surrounding area, unlike the alternative of blowing out the candle flame.
Arguably, this makes this method superior to blowing out your candles. Although this might be the case, there are far better alternatives that do not come with the negatives of using candle lids to put out your candles.
Should you cover a candle with the lid?
One of the most common mistakes people make when using candles is putting them out with a lid. While this may seem like a good idea, it can be hazardous. When you put a candle out with a lid, the heat from the flame can cause damage to lids that have been created only for decorative purposes. We will review the drawbacks of placing a lid on your candle in the next section.
What is the purpose of a candle lid?
A candle lid is a decorative piece placed on top of the jar after the candle has been lit. There are three essential purposes of having a candle lid:
1. Candle lids are used for decorative purposes
Candle lids are used for decorative purposes – they can be used to add a touch of elegance to any room. In most cases, the covers you will find add uniqueness to the candle that will attract your eye. First impressions are everything, and candle makers know this. They want to make their candles stand out from the competition, and candle lids can help do this.
2. Candle lids are used to maintain fragrance
Candle lids are used to maintain fragrance – they can help keep the scent of your candle locked in, making it last longer. A candle’s cold throw (the scent given off without lighting) will degrade over time. The cold throw and hot throw of a candle are directly linked, so it is essential to ensure that you lock in the fragrance with a lid to prolong the fragrance life of your candle.
3. Candle lids are used for stopping dirt and dust
Candle lids are used for stopping dirt and dust – they can help to keep your candle clean and free from debris. Debris and dust will make your candle look dirty and remove the ambiance created by a candle within your room. You also want to keep your candles clean as this can affect the burn of your candle as you will have impurities on the candle surface.
Now that we’ve covered the basics of candle lids let’s move on to the next topic: how to put out a candle safely.
What are the issues with putting your candle out with the lid?
Putting out a candle with the lid has several potential hazards and drawbacks to alternative methods.
1. Damage and hazard of decorative lids
Damage and hazard of decorative lids – The first is that it can cause heat damage to the decorative cover. Not all candle lids are made equal. Some are made from materials that are not suitable for this purpose. Those lids made from wood, rubber, and plastics are critical examples of covers that can cause a fire hazard and become damaged over time.
2. Embedded Wick
Embedded Wick – The second hazard of using a lid to put out your candle is that it can cause the wick to become embedded in the wax. When this happens, you will be unable to relight your candle. This common problem can be easily avoided by using one of the other methods we will discuss.
3. Soot on candle jar and lid
Soot on candle jar and lid – Thirdly, placing the candle lid over the top of the candle flame can cause your jar and lid to blacken with soot. This is caused by the repetitive action of smoke being released from the candle flame once the oxygen is removed. This will cause an unpleasant sight to your candle and require you to clean your candle to remove the blackened soot.
4. Cause deformation to the lid
Cause deformation to the lid – Fourthly, extinguishing your candle with the lid can cause deformation in the candle lid. This deformation can lead to you being unable to remove the lid from your candle. You may find that you need to start prying the lid open due to the change in the shape of your lid over time.
5. Cause a vacuum within the container
Cause a vacuum within the container – This can also happen due to the oxygen being removed by the candle flame once the lid is placed on the candle. When this happens, a vacuum will form within the candle jar, increasing the difficulty of removing the lid. The lid can become even more challenging to remove if both situations occur.
6. Affect on the candle’s fragrance
Affect on the candle’s fragrance – Another reason not to put your candle out with the lid is that it can affect the overall fragrance over time. The soot and smoke trapped inside the candle when the lid is placed over the flame will become more significant over time. This can leave an unpleasant smell the next time you go to light your favourite candle.
Nobody wants that.
7. Soot build-up on the candle surface
Soot build-up on the candle surface – Finally, the soot build-up from putting your candle with the lid can start accumulating on the candle surface. This can affect the burn quality of your candle and also will begin to look unpleasant in your living room – which we are sure nobody wants! You can clean the candle’s surface once hardened and cooled, but why put yourself through this if there are better methods.
In short, we do not recommend using a candle lid to put out your candles. There are safer alternatives that will not damage your candle or put you at risk of a fire.
So, what should you use to put out a candle?
How to put out a candle correctly?
We will now review several methods you can use instead of using your candle lid to put out your candle flame. Candle snuffers and wick dippers are the preferred choices as they are designed precisely for this purpose. If you do not have these tools to hand, we also cover two alternative methods – instead of the inferior methods of using a candle lid and blowing your candle out.
1. Use a candle snuffer to put out your candle.
The best way to put out a candle is to use a snuffer. A snuffer is a tool that allows you to extinguish the flame without coming into contact with the hot wax. This is the safest way to put out a candle and will also help prolong your candle’s life.
A snuffer is a long-handled tool that is specifically designed to extinguish candles. To use a snuffer, place the bell-shaped end over the flame and allow the oxygen to be cut off. This will cause the flame to extinguish itself. Place the snuffer over the flame and wait for it to go out.
2. Use a wick dipper to put out your candle.
An equally great way to extinguish your candle is by using a wick dipper. A wick dipper is a tool that allows you to extinguish the flame and dip the wick into the melted wax. This will help prevent the wick from smoking when you relight your candle.
To use a wick dipper, hold the tool close to the base of the wick. Wait for the wax to melt, then dip the wick into the wax pool. This will extinguish the flame and coat the wick with wax.
If you are interested in learning more about wick dippers and snuffers, we have written an article to answer all your questions. We also cover how to make your own dippers and snuffers at home!
3. Use a candle extinguisher to put out your candle.
A candle extinguisher is the second safe method for putting out a candle. A candle extinguisher is a small canister of pressurized gas designed to put out candles. To use a candle extinguisher, point the nozzle at the base of the flame and press the button. The extinguisher will release a small amount of gas that snuff out the candle.
4. Use a wet cloth to put out your candle.
Using a wet cloth is the third and final safe method for putting out a candle. To use this method, take a cloth dampened with water and place it over the top of the candle. The cloth will smother the flame and extinguish the fire.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to put out a candle safely, we hope you’ll take some time to enjoy the ambiance of your favorite candles! Just remember to use caution and never leave a burning candle unattended. Happy candle-lighting!
Do you have any tips for safely putting out a candle? Please share them with us in the comments below!
And that’s it for this blog post! We hope you found it informative and helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below, and we’ll do our best to answer them. Thanks for reading!
