My Favorite Candle Tools for a Better Burn

Being an avid candle user means I’ve spent a fair amount of time using different tools to make each burn last longer, smell stronger, or burn cleaner. Here are a few of my favorite tools that will ensure you can get the absolute best from your candle. 

Wick Trimmers

First up, the wick trimmer. This is by far the most used tool I own. I actually have five or six throughout the house because I trim the wick of every candle before I light it. Trimming the wick before you light your candle ensures: 

• The candle burns more evenly

• There is less smoke/soot coming off the wick

• Your candle burns less hot, so it lasts longer (smaller flame=longer lasting candle)

• The wick won’t mushroom, which is a potential safety hazard

• The jar won’t get unsightly black soot on it

  
  

You should trim your candle EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. you light it. It should be trimmed to about one quarter inch, and that’s the nice thing about wick trimmers–most of them are sized such that they will automatically trim your wick to the right length. You can also use scissors or pinch the wick with your fingers, but it won’t be as consistent and the length may not be quite right. 

Candle Warmer Lamps

Next is my candle warmer lamp. I only recently discovered my love of candle warmers when my 8 year-old daughter asked to have candles in her room. I wasn’t comfortable with her having a flame, so I looked into a candle warmer lamp. Not only is it a flameless option, it also has built-in timers so she can set it and it goes off on its own (especially helpful for a forgetful 8 year old!). Most warmers also have dimming abilities which will change how strong the scent throw is. For her room we have it on the lowest setting, and when it’s been on for a couple hours we can smell her candle all throughout the house (in a pleasant way, not overwhelming way). 

I have a candle warmer lamp in my library as well, and I have to say, it does wonders for the ambiance at night! The light is on the warm end of the spectrum, so it doesn’t impact my sleep if I use it at night while I’m reading before bed (blue light affects melatonin production, so you should avoid it before bed!). It makes my reading space feel so cozy because of the lighting. 

Candle warmers can also extend the life of your candle! Because the wax and fragrance in the candle isn’t being physically consumed by the flame and evaporated into the air, the candle will last significantly longer than if you burn it. You could take your 10oz candle, which typically burns for 50 hours, and use it under a warmer for at least 75 hours. 

Some people have found that it provides a stronger scent throw as well. This is in part because it’s being heated from above across the entire surface of the candle instead of from a flame. When the entire candle melts down a few inches it’ll release more of the fragrance into the air, making the scent throw stronger. 

Candle warmers are a great option for people who need flameless candles, whether that’s people living in dorms or apartments that prohibit open flames, people with children or pets, or those caring for the elderly or someone with special needs and can’t have an open flame. It’s also great for anyone who wants to add a bit of ambiance to their reading space because there are so many cute options out there! 

Match Cloches

Next up are some of my favorite things because I think they look so beautiful on the shelf: match cloches. I’m a sucker for a match cloche because it just adds such an air of elegance to any space you use it in. There’s also something so satisfying about striking a match on a match cloche to light your candle–it almost gives it a magical feeling. It makes me feel a little bit witchy, and maybe that’s just the little girl in me who made potions out of mud and pretended to be a witch when I was little. Still, match cloches with long matches are some of my favorite candle accessories. 

Electric Lighters

Another handy candle accessory is an electric lighter. I absolutely love being able to recharge my electric lighter instead of having to go out and get a new one every time it runs out of fuel. They’re easy and intuitive to use (a little too easy, one of my four year old twins figured out how to use it and once lit a candle on her own…needless to say it’s now stored in an out of reach cupboard 😅), plus they have the added benefit of being cost effective; you don’t have to replace them once they die, just recharge it! 

Heat-Safe Trays/Coasters

Heat-safe trays or coasters is another great candle accessory to have handy. Items like this can be thrifted or repurposed from what you already have at home. Using heat safe trays can help protect the furniture your candle is sitting on, is great for making the space feel a bit more intentionally styled, and is an excellent option for a book cart! One important note though: make sure whatever you put your candle on top of is completely flat and level. This will ensure the candle burns properly and reduces the risk of the glass overheating by being slanted. 

Candle Storage

Lastly, you can’t talk about candle accessories without mentioning the best storage solutions. There’s no one size fits all solution I have for you, but I do have a few general guidelines to help keep your candles looking and smelling their best.

• Always store the candle with the lid on to prevent dust from building up on the surface--this can be a safety hazard when you light the candle

• Keep candles out of direct sunlight to prevent discoloration of the wax and keep the labels from fading

• Store your candles in a cool, dry place; you ideally want it to be below 75 degrees, as soy wax has a very low melting point

Making sure you store your candles properly to ensure you get the most out of them when you’re ready to burn them!

Final Thoughts

Obviously none of these things is absolutely necessary to enjoy candles (except some way to light them), but even one or two of these items might make it feel a little more magical when you find time to sit down, light your candle, and dive into your next great read. 

If you’re looking for a clean-burning candle to pair with your book, check out our selection of book-inspired scents here.

All the best,

Mackenzie