Candle Flickering So Much: Understanding and Solving the Problem

When you light a candle expecting a calm, steady flame but instead get a wild, dancing flicker, it can be frustrating and concerning. A constantly flickering candle not only creates an uneven ambiance but can also lead to uneven burning, excess smoke, and wasted wax. Let’s explore why candles flicker excessively and how to address this common issue.

What Causes Candle Flickering?

A flickering candle flame isn’t always a sign of something supernatural—most often, it’s due to practical physical factors affecting how the candle burns.

Airflow and Drafts

The most common reason for candle flickering is air movement around the flame. Even subtle drafts that you might not feel can disturb the delicate flame:

– Open windows or doors
– Air conditioning or heating vents
– Ceiling fans or portable fans
– People walking by the candle
– Air currents from nearby electronics

One candle maker on Reddit explained, “Candle flames are extremely sensitive to air movement. This means the air around the flame is moving and unstable, so the flame flickers even if you can’t feel a draft.”

Wick Issues

The wick plays a crucial role in how steadily a candle burns:

– Oversized wicks: When a wick is too large for the candle diameter, it draws up too much wax too quickly, creating a large, unstable flame.
– Undersized wicks: Conversely, wicks that are too small struggle to maintain consistent fuel flow, causing flickering.
– Incorrect wick type: Different wax formulations require specific wick types—using the wrong match can cause flickering.
– Wick length: A wick that’s too long (over ¼ inch) will burn too quickly and create an unstable flame.

Wax and Fragrance Issues

The quality and composition of the wax itself can significantly impact burning behavior:

– Low-quality wax: Cheaper waxes often contain impurities that cause uneven burning.
– Fragrance oil overload: As one candlemaker on r/Candles noted, “too much fragrance oil for the type of wax they are using” is a common cause of flickering.
– Uneven wax pool: If the melted wax around the wick isn’t even, it can cause irregular burning and flickering.

How to Diagnose Your Flickering Candle

Before attempting fixes, it helps to determine exactly what’s causing your candle to flicker excessively.

The Draft Test

To check if airflow is the culprit:
1. Move your candle to a different location away from obvious air sources
2. Create a simple shield around the candle using a glass hurricane or even a tall drinking glass
3. Observe if the flickering stops or reduces significantly

The Wick Inspection

Examine the wick and flame characteristics:
1. Is the wick visibly too long (more than ¼ inch above the wax)?
2. Is the flame unusually large or tall?
3. Is there black smoke coming from the flame?
4. Is the wick “mushrooming” at the tip?

The Wax Pool Assessment

Look at how the wax is melting:
1. Is the melted wax pool even across the surface?
2. Are there tunnels forming down the center with wax left on the sides?
3. Does the wax look cloudy or have visible particles floating in it?

How to Fix a Flickering Candle

Once you’ve identified the likely causes, you can take steps to address the flickering.

Addressing Airflow Issues

– Move the candle away from vents, fans, and high-traffic areas
– Use candle holders with windshields or hurricane covers
– Close windows and doors when burning candles
– Create a draft-free zone for your candles

Correcting Wick Problems

– Trim the wick to ¼ inch before each lighting
– For “mushrooming” wicks, extinguish the flame, let the candle cool slightly, then trim before relighting
– If the wick consistently causes problems, consider switching to a different brand or type of candle

As PartyLite UK explains, “Candles made with large wicks burn too quickly through the wax and cause the flame to flicker. While candles made using wicks that are too small can’t sustain a strong enough flame.”

Improving Burning Technique

– Allow sufficient burn time (at least one hour per inch of candle diameter)
– Ensure the entire top surface melts before extinguishing to prevent tunneling
– Keep the wax pool free of debris, wick trimmings, and match fragments
– Store candles properly when not in use to maintain wax quality

Quality Matters: Choosing Better Candles

If you’ve tried the fixes above and still experience excessive flickering, the candle’s quality might be the issue.

Signs of Poor Quality Candles

– Inconsistent wax texture or color
– Overpowering or chemical-smelling fragrance
– Very low price point compared to similar candles
– Visible impurities in the wax
– Poorly centered or loosely attached wicks

What to Look for in Quality Candles

– Natural waxes like soy, beeswax, or coconut wax tend to burn more steadily
– Cotton or wooden wicks often provide cleaner burns
– Proper fragrance-to-wax ratios (typically 6-10% for most candles)
– Reputable brands with good reviews for burn quality
– Hand-poured candles often receive more quality control attention

As one candlemaker on Reddit noted, “cheap wax, too much fragrance oil for the type of wax they are using, too big of wick or incorrect wick type for the type of wax & fragrance” are common issues in lower-quality candles.

When Flickering Might Be Meaningful

While most candle flickering has practical explanations, some traditions do attribute meaning to flame behavior.

Cultural and Spiritual Interpretations

In some spiritual practices, a flickering candle flame might be interpreted as:
– A sign of energy or spirits in the room
– Communication attempts from the other side
– Changes in the surrounding energy field
– Responses to prayers or intentions

As noted in an r/pagan discussion, some practitioners believe unusual flame behavior can be meaningful, but they typically rule out practical causes first.

Balancing Practical and Spiritual Views

If you’re interested in the spiritual aspects of candle flames:
1. First address all the practical causes of flickering
2. Create a controlled environment free from drafts
3. Only then consider if the flickering might have other significance

This balanced approach respects both the science of combustion and potential spiritual meanings without jumping to conclusions.

Preventing Excessive Flickering in Future

To minimize candle flickering before it becomes a problem:

– Purchase quality candles from reputable makers
– Store candles properly away from temperature extremes
– Trim wicks before each use
– Burn candles in draft-free locations
– Follow proper burning techniques (adequate burn time, full melt pools)
– Consider using candle accessories like wick dippers and hurricane shields
– Avoid burning candles in small, enclosed spaces where oxygen can be depleted

When to Give Up on a Problematic Candle

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, a candle simply won’t burn properly. Signs it might be time to retire a problematic candle include:

– Persistent black smoke despite proper care
– Wick that repeatedly extinguishes itself
– Severely uneven burning that doesn’t improve
– Strange odors when burning (beyond the intended fragrance)
– Wax that appears to be separating or has changed consistency

Rather than continuing to struggle with a subpar burning experience, it may be more satisfying to move on to a better quality candle.

Conclusion

A flickering candle is usually the result of practical factors like drafts, improper wick size, or quality issues with the wax and fragrance formulation. By understanding these causes and implementing the suggested solutions, you can enjoy a more consistent, pleasant candle burning experience.

Remember that proper candle care—from wick trimming to ensuring adequate burn time—plays a significant role in how steadily your candles will burn. Investing in quality candles and burning them correctly will not only reduce flickering but also provide better fragrance throw, longer burn times, and a more enjoyable ambiance in your space.