Your Burning Questions Answered
How Long Do Hand-Poured Soy Candles Really Burn?
Hand-poured soy candles typically burn for 30-50 hours, depending on the candle size, wick size and how you care for it. A luxury soy candle in a 20cl jar (like ours) usually burns for 25-35 hours.
The key difference between hand-poured candles and mass-produced ones is that ours are carefully crafted to maximise burn time while delivering a beautiful scent throw from start to finish.
Why Burn Time Actually Matters
When you're spending £15+ on a candle, you want to know you're getting your money's worth. Burn time isn't just about longevity - it's about value for money, especially when you're gifting.
A hand-poured soy candle from The Soy Wax Candle Company isn't just burning; it's releasing fragrance slowly and evenly. This is different from cheaper candles that burn fast and burn through their fragrance quickly.
What Affects How Long Your Candle Burns
Candle Size
Our 20cl candles are the most popular size and they typically burn for 25-35 hours. We also make larger candles for those who want longer burn times. A larger candle doesn't just burn longer - it actually burns more efficiently because the wax pool distributes heat more evenly.
Wick Size
Hand-poured candles use different wick sizes depending on the fragrance and wax blend. A wick that's too small won't create a full melt pool (the melted wax on top), which means slower burn time. A wick that's too large burns through the candle too quickly. Our candles are hand-poured with wick sizes carefully matched to the fragrance, so you get consistent burn time and scent throw.
How You Use It
This is the honest bit: burn time depends partly on you. If you burn your candle for 2 hours at a time and let it cool completely between burns, you'll get maximum burn time. If you burn it for 10 minutes & relight it constantly, the wick will mushroom (carbon builds up) and you'll get less efficiency.
Room Temperature & Ventilation
Candles burn slightly faster in warm rooms and slightly slower in cold ones. Drafts and air circulation also affect burn time. A candle in a draughty hallway will burn faster than one in a still bedroom.
Fragrance Type
Some fragrances are more volatile (they evaporate faster) than others. This affects perceived scent throw but not necessarily burn time. Our woodsy fragrances (like Himalayan Cedar & Jasmine) tend to have excellent longevity.
Tips to Maximise Your Candle's Burn Time
Trim the wick to 5mm before each light
This is the single best thing you can do. A mushroomed wick (carbon build up) causes your candle to burn faster and produces unnecessary soot. It takes 10 seconds and dramatically improves performance.
Let it burn for at least 2 hours on first light
This creates a full melt pool across the top of the candle. If you blow it out before the wax melts all the way to the edge, you'll get "tunnelling", where the candle burns down the middle and leaves wax stuck to the sides. This wastes wax and reduces total burn time.
Avoid blowing out the candle
Use a candle snuffer instead. Blowing it out can cause the wick to smoke and creates carbon build up. It's a small thing, but it adds up.
Keep it away from draughts
Fans, open windows and air vents will make your candle burn faster and can cause uneven burning. A still room is a happy candle's room.
Don't burn for more than 4 hours at a time
Even though our candles are hand-poured for longevity, giving the wax a rest between burns keeps the burn consistent and safe.
Remember: Always leave 5mm of wax at the bottom of your jar for safety. Any lower and your glass jar can get too hot, causing cracks or the glass to shatter.
How Hand-Poured Candles Compare to Mass-Produced Ones?
Mass-produced candles often use paraffin wax (a byproduct of petroleum) blended with fragrance and dyes. They're cheaper to make, so burn time is optimised for cost, not quality. They often burn hotter and faster.
Hand-poured soy candles like ours use 100% natural soy wax, which burns cooler and slower. This means:
- Longer burn time per ounce of wax
- Better scent throw (the fragrance releases more gradually)
- No black soot build up on your walls
- Cleaner air in your home
Yes, they cost more upfront. But when you calculate cost-per-hour, hand-poured soy candles are often cheaper than mass-produced candles and they're better for your home and the environment.
FAQ: Burn Time Questions Answered
Q: Can I speed up how fast my candle burns if I want to use up a scent I love?
A: You can burn it for longer periods (up to 4 hours), but we'd recommend just enjoying it at a normal pace. Rushing it won't give you better scent throw, it'll just stress the wax and wick.
Q: My candle seems to be burning unevenly. What's wrong?
A: This is usually tunnelling, which happens when the first burn doesn't create a full melt pool. On your next light, let it burn for at least 3-4 hours so the wax melts all the way to the edge. Going forward, always trim the wick and burn for 2+ hours.
Q: Is 25-35 hours really a long time?
A: Yes! To put it in perspective, that's 1-2 weeks of regular evening burns. It's roughly equivalent to burning your candle for 2 hours a night for 2 weeks. For a £15 candle, that's excellent value!
Q: Can I relight the same wick multiple times?
A: Yes, absolutely. The wick is designed to be relit many times over the candle's lifespan. Just trim it to 5mm before each light.
Q: Why does my candle smell less strong as it gets lower?
A: Your nose is actually just getting used to the scent (it's called olfactory adaptation). The candle is still releasing fragrance at the same rate. Try leaving the room for 10 minutes and coming back - you'll smell it again!
Happy Burning!
Ali 🖤
Founder & Chief Maker
The Soy Way Candle Company