A candle flame that is too high can be an annoying nuisance. It can reduce your candle’s burn time, produce more smoke and even lead to tunneling. In this article, we’ll talk about the causes of a tall flame and give you some tips to prevent it.
What does a candle flame look like when it’s too high?
A normal candle flame height is between 1/2 and 1 inch, measured from the bottom of the flame arc to the tip. This size is ideal for votives, travel candles and other small container candles. It’s also the minimum size required for a candle to be considered safe per ASTM safety standards (with the exception of some religious candles).
When you burn a candle, warm air rises around it and creates a convection current that gives your flame its characteristic elongated shape. This is what makes your candle’s flame rise up so quickly. If your candle is too tall, however, the convection current isn’t working as effectively, which can cause it to slow down and create a narrow tunnel that leaves the rest of the wax unmelted.
A high candle flame can also be a fire hazard if it’s in close proximity to flammable items in your home or office. It can even shatter glass candle jars due to the extra heat generated by the high flame. Luckily, there are easy ways to fix this issue: trimming the wick regularly, avoiding drafts, using an unscented candle and trying a different brand of candle.