Tend Your Flame

Candle Care Guide

A flame is a story in progress. Here's how to make every Kennings candle burn longer, brighter, and cleaner.

The Five Rules of a Legendary Burn

1

Trim the wick

Before every burn, trim the wick to ¼ inch (about 6mm). A long wick produces soot, smoke, and an uneven flame. Wick trimmers work best, but sharp scissors are fine.

2

Burn for the right amount of time

Light your candle and let it burn until the entire top layer of wax has melted to the edges of the vessel. This is called a 'full melt pool' and prevents tunneling. The first burn should be 2-3 hours.

3

Limit each burn session

Never burn a candle for more than 4 hours at a time. After 4 hours, extinguish, let it cool completely, trim the wick, and relight if you'd like.

4

Place safely

Burn on a heat-resistant, level surface away from drafts, flammable objects, children, and pets. Never leave a burning candle unattended.

5

Stop at the right time

Discontinue use when ½ inch (about 13mm) of wax remains. Burning past this point can damage the vessel and is unsafe.

Safety First

Burn Responsibly

Never leave a burning candle unattended
Keep away from children, pets, and flammable materials
Burn on a heat-resistant, level surface
Keep wax pool free of debris and matches
Don't move a candle while lit or while wax is liquid
Stop burning when ½ inch of wax remains

When Things Go Sideways

Troubleshooting

My candle is tunneling+
Tunneling happens when the wax melts in a tunnel shape rather than out to the edges. To fix it: burn the candle for 3-4 hours next time so the wax can fully pool. To prevent it: always allow a full melt pool on the first burn.
My candle is smoking+
Smoke is usually caused by a wick that's too long. Extinguish, let it cool, and trim the wick to ¼ inch. Avoid drafts which can also cause smoking.
The flame is too small+
Small flames usually mean the wick is buried in wax. Carefully drain a bit of melted wax (away from the wick) or wait until more wax has melted naturally.
The flame is dancing or flickering wildly+
This usually means there's a draft. Move the candle away from windows, fans, or air vents.
My candle isn't throwing scent+
Make sure you're achieving a full melt pool — fragrance lifts from melted wax, not the wick. Also, candles need a 'cure' period after pouring; ours are cured for 2 weeks before shipping for the best throw.

Ready to begin?

Browse our collection of mythology-inspired candles and find the story you want to light tonight.

Shop CandlesMore Questions? Visit FAQ