How to Burn a Candle Properly
A well-made candle should burn evenly, cleanly and safely.
But even the best candle can misbehave if not burned correctly.
The First Burn is Everything
Burn for 2-4 hours, until the wax melts fully to the edges.
Why?
Because wax has memory! If you extinguish it too soon, it can tunnel.
Always Trim The Wick
Before every burn, trim to 5mm.
Too long?
Large flame
Soot on vessel
Faster burn time
Too short?
Weak flame
Drowning wick
Don’t Burn for Too Long
Maximum 4 hours at a time. Ideal time - 1 hour for the Little Shed Pot; 2 hours for The Everyday Shed Pot and The Original Pot; 4 hours for The Signature Shed Pot.
Overburning can:
Overheat the vessel (although this is less likely with our Jesmonite vessels as they don’t conduct heat making them less likely to mark tables/shelving while also meaning they can be easily moved while lit)
Cause mushrooming
Affect scent throw
Common Problems (And How to Fix Them)
Tunneling
Fix: Gently wrap foil around the top and burn for an hour to help even out
Mushrooming wick
Fix: Trim before relighting & always extinguish with a snuffer. Not by blowing it out.
Weak scent throw
Check:
Is the room very large or does it have high ceilings?
Rule of thumb: how many radiators does your room have? If you have 2+ radiators, for example, we would advise a larger candle (such as The Signature Shed Pot) or 2 smaller 180ml candles (such as The Everyday Shed Pot or The Original Pot)
It there airflow?
Is the candle old?
Uneven burn
Ensure:
Candle is on a flat surface
No drafts
First burn was long enough
The wick is straight every time you light it
When There’s 1cm of Wax Left
Stop burning.
This protects your vessel, makes it easier to remove any leftover wax and the wick in preparation for refilling.
If you’re using one of our refillable Shed Pots, your can order a refill once finished (or even before it’s finished) - designed to reduce waste and let you keep the vessel you love.