Glossary of Terms

🕯️ Candle Glossary

Your guide to understanding candle terms and getting the best performance from your home fragrance products.

 

What is cold throw?

Definition: The scent a candle emits when it's unlit.

If you can smell the fragrance whilst the candle is "cold" then the candle is said to have a good cold throw. A candle with a good cold throw can provide a subtle fragrance in a small room.

 

What is hot throw?

Definition: The scent released while the candle is burning.

This is the main reason people buy scented candles. A good hot throw ensures the fragrance fills your space effectively.

 

Can you tell me what a wax pool is?

Definition: The melted wax that forms on the surface of a lit candle.

Candles need to be lit until the wax pool reaches the edge of the container to give the best performance on your current burn as well as future burns. The wax pool should also be no more than 10-12mm deep or your candle is at risk of getting too hot.

 

What is tunnelling in candles?

Definition: When wax remains unmelted around the container’s edge, forming a tunnel down the middle.

Candles need to be burnt long enough so the wax pool reaches the edge, or near the edge, of the container.

 

Why do candles tunnel? 

There are 2 main causes of a tunnelling candle:

1)      Short burn times

2)      Poor wax, wick and fragrance blending

 

Is a tunnelling candle dangerous? 

A candle that tunnels is generally not dangerous, but as the wax is not being consumed efficiently then it will result in:

1)      Lower overall burn times

2)      Excess wax left over in the candle container

3)      The candle may also drown and self-extinguish

 

What does it mean when candle wicks drown?

Definition: When the flame is overwhelmed by melted wax and extinguishes itself.

This is generally caused by:

1)      The wick used is too small, so it is not strong enough to consume the wax.

2)      Tunnelling from previous burns

If the wick used is too small then the candle will also not give off a very good fragrance throw during burning.

 

Have you heard of self-extinguishing wicks?

Definition: When the wick goes out mid-burn

This is another term used to describe drowning wicks.

What is candle memory?

Definition: Candles "remember" how far the wax pool reached during previous burns.

Therefore, if you don't burn the candle until the pool reaches the edge of the container then next time it will likely only go as far again.

 

What is a candle burn time?

Definition: The total number of hours a candle can burn when used properly.

To maximise the total length of time a candle should burn for if cared for and burnt in 2-4 hour cycles.

 

What is considered a good burn time for a candle?

Typical estimates:

• 150g candle: 30+ hours
• 220g candle: ~50 hours
  Note: Actual burn time depends on care and environment.

 

My candle has a mushroom on the wick, is it ok?

This is clubbing of the wick and can be caused from:

1)      Having a wick that is too large in the candle

2)      Not trimming the wick between burn cycles

3)      The wick length being too long when lit.

4)      Burning the candle in a draught

Always trim the candle wick(s) to 5-8mm before each burn cycle and avoid draughts.

 

What is a burn cycle for a candle?

Definition: The time from lighting the wick to extinguishing it.

Each burn cycle should generally be for a minimum of 2 hours but always a maximum of 4 hours.

 

What is sooting on a candle?

Definition: Black residue from inefficient burning.

This is where the candle produces black soot which means the candle is not burning efficiently.

Myth: Only paraffin wax causes soot—natural waxes can too.
Prevention:

• Trim wick
• Avoid draughts
• Ensure a steady flame
• Buy good quality candles like Our Time Candles of Nantwich

A good performing candle, with a good steady flame, burnt away from draughts or other sources of heat, will not produce excessive soot. 

 

What is wick trimming?

Definition: Cutting the wick to 5–8mm after each use.

To cut your candle wick after each use, once the candle has cooled, to around 5mm to 8mm. This helps keep your candle burning clean and ensures you get the best performance from your candle.

 

What is CLP?

CLP stands for: Classification, Labelling & Packaging

Definition: Regulations for all fragranced products sold or given away.

Requirements include:

• Hazard symbols (e.g., red diamonds)
• Allergen/sensitiser declarations
• Contact details
• Product weight

Note: Each fragrance blend requires unique CLP labelling on all products sold.
✅ All our products are fully CLP compliant.

 

💬 Got a question about a candle term?

Send us a message via our Contact Page and we’ll get back to you—and add it to this glossary!