When you’re planning to light a candle, you’ll probably be tempted to check on it frequently to ensure that it’s burning evenly and cleanly. To ensure a proper burn, however, it’s important to keep the wick trimmed, and to avoid the candle’s wick from getting too long. Untrimmed wicks tend to become mushroom-like, which will reduce the flame’s brightness. To avoid this problem, you should trim the wick to a quarter-inch length.
A candle needs a certain amount of energy in order to ignite, and this energy is provided by a flame from a match. This energy converts hydrocarbons in a candle into water and carbon dioxide. As the candle burns, air is drawn into the wick, oxygen is drawn in at the bottom of the candle, and heat is released at the top.
To minimize the smoke of a candle, be sure to keep the candle in an area with good ventilation. This will minimize the amount of smoke you breathe in, and will also reduce the risk of a fire. Also, be sure to keep your candle away from drafts and open windows. This will prevent excessive smoke and ensure a smooth burn.
Candles are often lit by holding the wick near the flame. The heat from the flame will cause the wax to burn. Once the wax is hot enough, the vapor will ignite and create a second flame. This can continue until the candle is completely out of wax.