Did You Know Candles Have Memory?
It sounds like something out of a science class, but candle memory is very real — and understanding it is the key to getting the most out of every candle you burn.
What is candle memory?
The first time you light a candle is called a memory burn. This initial burn sets the pattern for how your candle will burn for its entire life. If you don't burn it long enough the first time, the wax will only melt in a small pool around the wick — and from that point on, it will continue to tunnel straight down the center, leaving a ring of unused wax around the edges. That's wasted wax, wasted fragrance, and a shorter candle life.
How to get the perfect first burn
Before you light your candle for the first time, trim the wick to ¼ inch. A properly trimmed wick controls both the flame temperature and size. Too long and you'll get an oversized flame, sooting, and black marks on your jar. Too short and the wick may drown in the wax melt pool and become impossible to relight.
Good news — your Farmhouse Candle Company candles come pre-trimmed and ready for their first burn.
The melt pool rule
A full melt pool — where the melted wax reaches all the way to the edge of the jar — is the goal of every burn. The general rule is to burn your candle one hour for every inch of diameter. Our 16 oz. jar candles are 4 inches in diameter, so plan for at least a 4-hour burn on the first lighting.
A full melt pool prevents tunneling and maximizes scent throw, so your home smells as amazing as possible for as long as possible.
Our top candle care tips
- Trim your wick to ¼ inch before every burn — we recommend a wick trimmer for best results
- Never burn a candle for more than 4 hours at a time
- Keep your candle away from drafts, which can cause uneven burning
- Stop burning when ½ inch of wax remains at the bottom
Ready to put this into practice? Browse our hand-poured soy, coconut & beeswax candles and start your first memory burn right.
