How to Burn Pillar Candles - 3 Mistakes you might be making

Pillar candles are an investment and it can be disappointing when they don't burn the way you expected. We want to make sure your Honey Candles are a source of joy from the first light to the last flicker.

Below are three common mistakes that can lead to a less satisfactory experience, and how to easily avoid them for a longer, and more satisfying experience. 

Short burn sessions 

Burn sessions under 3 hours don’t allow your candle enough time to create a wax pool that melts close to the edge of the candle. If the wax around the edge remains hard you won’t be able to “hug” your pillar effectively for maximum wax consumption. This leads us to the second mistake…

Not hugging your pillar

It might sound silly but hugging is the term used for gently squeezing the soft outer edges of your pillar towards the center. This allows the wax to be consumed fully and evenly while raising the wax pool allowing for a longer burn time. When your candle has been burning for about 3 hours, try gently pushing the sides into the wax pool until the top is level again.

Blowing out your candle

When you’ve finished enjoying the glow of your pillar and are ready to put it out, don’t just blow it out! Blowing out your pillar can cause the wick to smolder and smoke which not only isn’t pleasant to breath but can also make it more difficult to relight the next time. Instead, dunk the burning wick into the wax pool and then straighten it again. This will ensure a smokeless finish and will prime your wick with wax for an easy light. You don't need to get fancy, an unbent paper clip will do the trick, but if you're someone who always like to have the right tool for the job handy check out our Wick Dipper. 

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Updated July 2025