When it comes to candles, a tall or flickering flame isn’t just a minor annoyance. It can signal a serious fire hazard or shorten your candle’s life. In this guide, we’ll cover everything from the ideal candle flame height to how to trim a wick properly, using safe, eco-friendly ingredients like soy wax and oud oil.
WHAT CAUSES A CANDLE FLAME TO BE TOO HIGH?
The type of wax plays a major role in how high your candle flame burns. Paraffin wax typically produces a taller flame than beeswax or soy wax. We use soy wax in all our luxury oud candles, as it creates a cleaner burn and helps maintain a stable flame.
The wick controls how much wax is pulled into the flame. Cotton wicks, which we use, tend to create taller flames than paper wicks, but they also burn cleaner. Trimming the wick properly keeps the flame safe and steady.
How Candle Wicks Work (and Why They Matter)
Candle wicks work via capillary action, pulling melted wax to the flame where it vaporises and combusts. Longer or thicker wicks pull more wax, causing the flame to grow too tall or burn too hot.
DANGERS OF A TALL CANDLE FLAME
If your candle flame is too high, it could:
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Burn too hot and shatter the glass
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Trigger black soot or smoke
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Consume wax too fast, leading to candle tunneling
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Pose a fire hazard to nearby objects
To reduce risk, keep a 1-foot clear zone around any burning candle.
Oud Candle Safety: Why Flame Height Matters
Our oud candles contain rich fragrance oils that are denser and take longer to burn off. This may slightly increase flame height, but even with oud, the flame should stay within a safe range:
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½ to 1 inch for small candles
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Up to 2 inches for larger ones
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Anything over 3 inches may be unsafe and violates ASTM standards
WHY IS MY CANDLE FLICKERING SO MUCH?
A flickering flame is one of the most common complaints. Here's what causes it and how to fix it.
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The Wick Isn’t Trimmed: Too much wick leads to an unstable flame and soot. Use a wick trimmer and cut to ¼ inch before every burn.
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Your Candle Is in a Drafty Spot: Open windows or vents can cause your candle to flicker or smoke. Move it to a stable location.
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The Wax Type Matters: Soy wax has a low melting point and is sensitive to temperature changes, but it burns cleaner and longer.
COMMON CANDLE FLAME PROBLEMS
Here are key signs your candle flame is burning too hot:
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Constant flickering
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Black soot on the jar or nearby walls
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A flame taller than 1 inch
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A mushroom-shaped carbon buildup on the wick
If you see a “mushroom” at the tip of your wick, that’s a sign it’s drawing too much wax or the wick is too long. Always trim it to ¼ inch before relighting.
CAN CANDLE MANUFACTURING CAUSE HIGH FLAMES?
Yes. Sometimes, a candle flame that's too high is due to a poorly made candle:
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Oversized wicks
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Low-quality wax
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Inconsistent burn patterns
That’s why we only use cotton wicks, soy wax, and essential oils in our luxury line.
HOW FLAME HEIGHT AFFECTS CANDLE LIFE
Burning your candle too hot or too fast has consequences:
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Wax gets used up quickly
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You get uneven burn and tunneling
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More smoke and soot are released into your space
Keeping the flame height in check helps maximise both burn time and scent throw.
SOY WAX CANDLE BENEFITS
We use 100% soy wax — the best wax for candles — for its eco-friendly and health conscious advantages:
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Burns longer and cleaner
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Less soot than paraffin wax
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Renewable and biodegradable
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Safe for indoor air quality
FINAL THOUGHTS ON SAFE CANDLE BURNING
A high-performing candle isn’t just about scent or aesthetics, its about flame control, safety, and quality materials. By understanding the basics of flame height, wick care, and proper placement, you’ll enjoy your candles more and keep your space safe.
Ready to try a candle that burns safely and smells incredible? Check out our hand-poured oud soy wax candles, crafted with care for clean, stable burning and excellent in gift sets.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the ideal candle flame height?
For small container candles (under 16 oz), the flame should be between ½ inch and 1 inch. For larger candles, up to 2 inches is acceptable. Anything over 3 inches may be unsafe.
Why is my candle flame so high?
A high flame is usually caused by a wick that’s too long, a drafty environment, or poor-quality manufacturing. Trimming your wick to ¼ inch before lighting often solves the problem.
Can a high candle flame cause a fire?
Yes. An excessively tall flame increases the risk of igniting nearby objects and can overheat the candle container. Always burn candles with at least 12 inches of clearance from anything flammable.
What does it mean when my wick mushrooms?
Mushrooming is a carbon buildup on the wick tip. It’s a sign the wick is too long or drawing too much wax. Trim it back to ¼ inch for a cleaner, safer burn.
Are soy candles better than paraffin candles?
Yes. Soy candles are non-toxic, burn slower, and produce less soot. They’re a safer, eco-friendly alternative to traditional paraffin based candles.