Wickid Wisdom: How to Spot Quality Candles and Maximize Every Burn

Not all candles are created equal, and understanding how they work, what makes them high-quality, and how to care for them can make all the difference. This guide will help you spot quality candles by evaluating the type of wax, place of origin, and burn time—key indicators of craftsmanship and value. We also share essential tips to get the most out of your candles, ensuring a clean, long-lasting burn that enhances both your space and well-being. With the right knowledge, your candles can truly shine.

How a Candle Works

A candle is powered by wax, a hydrocarbon that acts as the fuel. When the wick is lit, it melts the wax, drawing it up to the flame, where it vaporizes and feeds the fire. Much like a combustion engine, a candle needs three elements to function:fuel (wax), oxygen (air), and an ignition source (flame).With these components in harmony, the candle releases fragrance while burning clean and steady.

How to determine the quality of a candle

When shopping for a quality candle, here are three key things to look for:

What Type of Wax Are They Using?

  • If the wax is paraffin or a parasoy blend, the manufacturer is using cheap wax.
  • If the candle doesn’t specify the type of wax, it’s a red flag: they either don’t know, don’t care, or don’t want you to know.
  • If the label says “soy blend,” it often means the candle contains paraffin—another sign of cost-cutting.

Where Is It Made?

  • Candles produced in countries like Vietnam, China, India, or Mexico often take advantage of low-cost labor, reflecting in the quality of the product.

What Is the Burn Time?

  • Knowing the lifespan of a candle helps you evaluate its relative value for the price. High-quality candles, like Wickid’s, offer 55-60+ hours of clean burning.

It can be hard to determine the quality of fragrances since many candles don’t list their ingredients. However, if a manufacturer cuts corners on wax and labor, they are likely doing the same with fragrances. Synthetic and carcinogenic fragrances are often responsible for side effects like headaches, dizziness, and even cancer.