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Beeswax candles burn differently to paraffin or soy. They are firmer, burn more slowly, and respond more noticeably to wick length, airflow, and burn time.

With a little care, beeswax candles can burn cleanly and evenly, making the most of the natural wax. These tips cover the most common burning issues and how to avoid them.

1. Trim the Wick Before Each Burn

Before lighting, trim the wick to around 5–6 mm. This helps:

• Keep the flame steady
• Reduce smoking or flickering
• Support an even melt pool

If the wick develops a mushroom shape, trimming it back will help the candle burn more consistently.

2. Allow a Full Melt Pool on the First Burn

The first burn is important for beeswax candles. Allow the candle to burn long enough for the wax to melt across the entire surface.

This helps prevent tunnelling, where wax burns down the centre and leaves unused wax around the edges. Larger candles require longer initial burn times than smaller ones.

As a general guide, allow around one hour of burn time for every 2.5 cm of candle diameter on the first burn. For example:

• 5 cm diameter candle: approximately 2 hours
• 7.5 cm diameter candle: approximately 3 hours
• 10 cm diameter candle: approximately 4 hours

This guidance mainly applies to larger pillar-style candles. Drafts, wick length, and room temperature can affect how quickly a full melt pool forms, so treat these times as a guide rather than a rule.

Smaller candles behave differently:

• Tealights are designed to be burned in a single session and will usually melt fully across the surface within their normal burn time.
• Tapers do not form a full melt pool in the same way as container or pillar candles and should be burned upright and away from drafts.
• Votives and other small candles can often be burned in one session, particularly when used in a snug-fitting holder.

As with all beeswax candles, keeping the wick trimmed and burning away from drafts will help ensure the best performance.

3. Burn in Sensible Sessions

After the first burn, beeswax candles generally perform best when burned for around 2–4 hours at a time.

Very short burns can contribute to uneven melting over time, while overly long burns may cause the flame to grow too large or the wax to overheat, particularly in warmer conditions.

4. Burn Away From Drafts

Beeswax flames are sensitive to airflow. Drafts from windows, fans, or air conditioning can cause uneven burning, smoking, or dripping.

Place your candle on a flat, heat-resistant surface and burn it in a still area for best results.

5. Extinguish Gently

Blowing out a candle can cause smoke and wax splatter. Instead, use a wick snuffer or gently dip the wick into the melted wax and lift it back upright.

This helps reduce smoke and prepares the wick for the next burn.

6. Keep Candles Clean Between Burns

If a candle has been sitting unused, dust or debris can collect on the surface. Gently wipe it with a soft cloth before lighting.

Store candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to help maintain their shape and finish. Keeping candles covered between uses can also help protect them from dust.

Natural fabric storage, such as cotton or calico bags, works well for this purpose while still allowing the wax to breathe.

7. Reuse Leftover Beeswax

Beeswax candles tend to burn almost completely, but any remaining wax can be reused.

• Rubbed onto natural fibres or timber, beeswax can help provide light water resistance
• Use small pieces to help lubricate stiff drawer runners
• Apply lightly to tools to help protect against moisture

Beeswax is biodegradable and can be repurposed rather than discarded.

Enjoy Beeswax Candlelight

With attention to wick care, burn time, and placement, beeswax candles can provide steady, natural light with minimal fuss.

If you would like to understand why beeswax behaves the way it does, you can read our guide on why we use Australian beeswax for our candles.

You can also explore our range of Australian beeswax candles, hand-poured in small batches.