You’ve spent the evening relaxing and your favorite candle is flickering by your side, warming up the living room. As the episode you're watching draws to a close, you blow out the candle, and suddenly, a plume of smoke rises.
Wax splashes against the glass of the candle jar. Before you know it, the sensitive fire alarm in your apartment starts chirping.
There's a better way to handle blowing out your candles and it involves a tool every candle lover should have: a wick dipper.
What Is a Candle Wick Dipper?
A candle wick dipper is a slender, elegantly designed metal instrument used in the care and maintenance of candles.
Its function is to submerge the candle's lit wick into the molten wax, snuffing out the flame without producing any smoke or soot.
What Does a Candle Wick Dipper Do?
The wick dipper is crucial in candle care. By using the dipper to bend the wick into the wax, you immediately extinguish the flame without any smoke.
This action also coats the wick with wax, priming it for the next burn, which allows for an even candle burn throughout each use.
3 Benefits of Using a Wick Dipper
A wick dipper can be a game changer for candle care. Here’s why:
Wick dippers reduce soot and smoke.
One of the biggest nuisances of blowing out candles is the soot, wax, and smoke that can tarnish indoor air quality and leave a residue on nearby surfaces.
Using a wick dipper avoids this issue entirely by extinguishing the flame without any smoke or soot, or wax being blown into the air or onto the surface of whatever your candle is resting on.
Wick dippers prevent wick mushrooming.
Regular candle use can cause the wick to "mushroom" or develop a carbon buildup at the tip, which can lead to uneven burning and dripping. Dipping the wick back into its own wax helps it burn more evenly during subsequent uses, reducing the likelihood of smoking or an oversized flame.
Wick dippers increase the lifespan of the candle.
Wick dippers help manage how the candle burns by controlling the temperature and burn rate of the wax. When the wick is covered in wax the candle will burn slowly and evenly. This increases the lifespan of the candle.
How Do I Use a Wick Dipper?
Using a wick dipper is simple and effective:
Step 1: Allow your candle to burn long enough that a pool of wax forms around the wick.
Step 2: Hold the handle of your wick dipper and angle the curved end towards the wick.
Step 3: Gently press the wick into the wax pool until it's submerged and the flame extinguishes.
Step 4: Lift the wick back up out of the wax, repositioning it for the next use. This helps ensure that your candle is ready to be lit again with no hassle.
How to Clean Your Wick Dipper in 3 Simple Steps
Maintaining your wick dipper is just as easy as using it:
Step 1: Remove the Residual Wax
Immediately after use, while the wax on the dipper is still soft, wipe it clean using a paper towel or a soft cloth.
Step 2: Gently Clean the Wick Dipper
If the dipper needs a deeper cleaning, soak it in a solution of warm water and mild dish detergent for about 5-10 minutes. This will help loosen any remaining wax.
Step 3: Dry Thoroughly
Dry the wick dipper with a clean towel or allow it to air dry. Ensure it is completely dry before storing to prevent any rust or damage to the metal.
What is the Difference Between a Candle Wick Dipper and a Candle Snuffer?
Candle snuffers, typically bell-shaped tools, extinguish a candle by depriving the flame of oxygen. While effective, they do not offer the same benefits as a wick dipper.
The wick dipper not only puts out the flame but also prepares the wick for future burning by coating it in wax which allows the candle to have a longer shelf life.
Candle Wick Dipper Frequently Asked Questions
What is a candle wick dipper?
A candle wick dipper is a slender, metal tool specifically designed for candle care. It's used to push the wick into the pool of molten wax in a candle, which helps to extinguish the flame without producing smoke.
What is a wick dipper used for?
A wick dipper is used to extinguish a candle by dipping the wick into the wax which prevents smoking and the spattering of hot wax.
What is the benefit of a wick dipper?
Using a wick dipper has several benefits: it minimizes the smoke and soot associated with blowing out candles, prevents the wick from mushrooming, and ensures the wick is coated with wax for better burning in future uses. This not only enhances the candle's longevity but also maintains a cleaner burning process.
How do I use a wick dipper?
To use a wick dipper, wait until the wax around the wick has melted and formed a small pool. Gently press the wick into this pool of wax with the dipper until the flame extinguishes. Straighten the wick afterward to prepare it for the next lighting, ensuring it's coated in wax.
Why do you dip the wick in the wax?
Dipping the wick in wax after extinguishing the flame helps to prepare it for future use. This action coats the wick with a fresh layer of wax, which aids in an even burn the next time the candle is lit, reducing the likelihood of tunneling (uneven melting) and ensuring the candle burns longer and more efficiently.
Get A Stunning New Wick Dipper Today
Now that you understand the benefits and how easy it is to use a wick dipper, grab one of your very own.
A wick dipper truly is the best method for extinguishing candles and maintaining their beauty and function over time. This tool not only ensures a smoke-free environment but also contributes to the sustainability and longevity of your candles. Explore Kalamazoo Candle Company’s signature wick dippers today.
