How to burn a beeswax candle.

How do I burn a beeswax taper?

Trim the wick to about a quarter inch, stand it straight in a holder that grips it, and light it somewhere out of a draft. Let it burn for at least half an hour the first time so the top melts evenly. That is all there is to it.

Why is my beeswax candle dripping?

Almost always a draft or a lean. A taper in still air burns straight down with hardly any drip. Next to an open window, a fan or a busy doorway the flame leans, one side melts faster and the wax runs. Move it, or straighten it in the holder.

Why is the flame tall and smoky?

The wick is too long. Snuff it, let it cool for a minute, trim the wick back to a quarter inch and relight. A long wick makes a big flame that burns wax faster than the candle can feed it.

The candle has gone white and dusty. Is it bad?

No, that is the bloom, and only pure beeswax does it. Wipe it with a soft cloth, warm it for a second with a hairdryer, or leave it. It does not change how the candle burns.

What is tunneling and does it happen with tapers?

Tunneling is when a candle burns a hole down the middle and leaves a wall of wax. It happens to jar candles and pillars that are put out too soon. A taper is thin enough that it does not tunnel, it just burns down. If a fat pair ever burns a dip into the top, let it burn a little longer next time.

How do I put it out?

Snuff it or pinch it. Blowing it out sends a thread of smoke through the room and can spit wax. A teaspoon held over the flame works if you have no snuffer.

How should I store them?

Flat, somewhere cool, out of the sun. Beeswax is hard and keeps for years. If two candles have been leaning against each other in a warm drawer they may bond a little at the touch point. Pull them apart gently.

Can I use them on a birthday cake?

The birthday candles are made for it. Push them into the cake, light them, sing, and the wax that drips is beeswax and nothing else. The taller tapers are not for cakes.

The safety part

Burn within sight. Keep away from anything that can catch fire. Keep away from children and pets. Put it out before you leave the room and never carry a lit taper by the candle.

The safety lines are the ones on every candle tag: burn within sight, keep away from things that catch fire, keep away from children. They matter more with a taper than with a jar.