Why Is My Candle Giving Black Smoke from Candle?(How To Fix It)

Based on many studies, candles have a seductive effect on our bodies. Their fascinating light makes them an important part of any relaxing process. The candle-making business became rather popular.

Sometimes candles can start giving off black smoke. Black candle smoke can dampen your mood and even impair your health, but by reading the article “Why Is My Candle Giving Black Smoke from candle ? (How To Fix It)” you would know how to cope with such a problem.

What are the Reasons for the Black Smoke During the Candle Burning?

There are plenty of reasons that influence the candle flame.

The Candle Wick is a Very Lengthy

In cases when a candle wick is too long, it may prevent the wick from drawing wax to the very top. Wax is a kind of fuel for a candle. When the overly long wick is burning, it produces soot.

You could solve this problem by cutting the wick after every usage. To be more precise:

1. trim the wick at one-quarter of an inch from the “fuel”

The Candle is Very Heated

In case of candle smoking long enough, the candle wax will become completely liquid. Then, it’ll vaporize and combust faster.

To return the fire to its ordinary form you could select one of the following suggestions:

1. trim the wick during the candle burning
2. extinguish the candle and trim the wick to get an ordinary burning with the further use

There is Some Debris in the Candle

If you haven’t lit your candles for a long time, there’s dust and debris there. If so, it will influence the burning and result in soot and black smoke from candle.

To avoid dust accumulation you should:

1. cover a candle with a lid after every usage (do it when it will cool down)

In case a candle doesn’t have a cap, you could hide and get it when necessary.

The Candle is Aromatic

In case the candle maker used an unsuitable kind of aroma it may result in a smoking candle. What’s more, some types of aromatic oils may lead to producing more soot during the burning process.

There is Too Much Aromatic Oil in the Candle

In an attempt to reach a more fragrant smell, candlemakers add too much fragrance oil to the candles. Thus many of them have a bigger wick. Such candles burn unevenly and it’ll cause soot and smoke.

Quality of the Wax

Manufacturers may use inappropriate wax or the wrong ratio if mixing it with other types. If so, the candle wax may burn quicker than the wick.

Quality of the Wick

There are a few kinds of wicks and they should suit the wax. Some manufacturers may use inappropriate wicks.

A Draft Affects the Candle Flame

A draft is one of the reasons for the uneven burning. To avoid it you should:

1. take the candle away from places where you locate heaters, air conditioners, or ceiling fan.

The Burning Process is Too Long

In case you burn a candle for a long time, it’ll produce black smoke coupled with soot. It happens because the candle gets too warm and the wax evaporates and burns quicker. Hence, it denudes the wick and it deforms.

But if the candle burns for too short a time, the wax will create tunnels.

Rules to Avoid Black Smoke From Candle

A vast majority of people enjoy the process of candle combustion, but black smoke can spoil the mood. So, here are some rules that will help you to avoid it:

1. Don’t combust the candle for more than 4-5 hours
2. Don’t combust the candle for too short to avoid tunnels
3. Cut the wick after each usage and don’t leave it in the melted wax pool
4. Blowing the candle when it gets too warm will prevent black smoke
5. Try to choose natural wax
6. Keep your candle cool if it gets too heated
7. Use caps to cover the candle and prevent dusting
8. Try to buy well-made candles from the proven candle manufacturer
9. Avoid any discount candle maker
10. Don’t leave the candle in a draft

By following these simple rules you would get the most out of your candles.

Why Black Candle Smoke an Issue for Aromatic Candles?

Wick deformation or the destruction of the wax hydrocarbon chain is the reason for the smoke or soot. And it’s a great issue for scented candles.

To begin with, smoke destroys the hot scent. To be more precise, your aromatic candle can be less fragrant, and odorless or the scent may change.

What’s more, smoke shortens the life expectancy of the candle and its maximum burn times. It happens because the smoke is too hot and it makes the wax melt quicker. So, it’s rather crucial to find the balance between heat and candle flames. Aromatic candles are more disposed to generate black smoke than ordinary ones.

Is It Safe to Inhale Black Smoke?

Many people like candles because they give comfort and provide a pleasant scent. Sometimes their flame serves as a source of lighting. The candle-making business became rather popular.

There are many types of candles:

• unscented
• scented
• pillar
• taper
• votive
• tea lights etc

Many aromatic candles generate noxious chemical substances. Toxic black smoke makes an innocuous candle dangerous.

Black Smoke From Candle

A small amount of black smoke or soot during the burning is the norm. But if the flame provides excessive smoke it is harmful.

Smoke is fragments of partially burned ingredients. So, the less smoke the better. When your candle smokes it means that the wax can’t burn well. Thus, this smoke is hydrocarbon-based with a fragment size of 0, 06 to 1 micron. Such fragments are carcinogenic.

There are plenty of factors that influence smoke creation:

1. Wax Type

There are several basic types of wax, for instance:

• paraffin wax
• soy wax
• granulated
• beeswax
• palm etc

One of the most dangerous types is paraffin wax. To inhale paraffin fumes is harmful to your health as it releases carcinogens into the air. It also produces smoke coupled with soot that settles in your house and leaves an unpleasant smell.

2. Wick Type

They can be cotton or wooden. They serve to bring the wax up to the flame by capillary action.

Also, the wick should have an appropriate length to not produce black smoke.

Wooden wick candles are better because they don’t generate smoke. What’s more, it guarantees regular flame and a steady spread of essential oil odor, for instance.

3. Scents & Colorings

Every ingredient influences the chemical reaction. To create diverse kinds of candles, a candle manufacturer mixes diverse ingredients.

Aromatic candles are much more attractive than unscented ones. But a vast majority of fragrance oils don’t suit for heating.

Colorful candles can also be harmful in case they are dyed heavily. It happens because the coloring contaminates the wicks. Then, it results in incomplete combustion.

4. Draft

Due to the rush of air, candles burn irregularly which leads to smoke production.

5. Quality 

A major part of candlemakers uses inexpensive and low-quality ingredients. To avoid buying a dangerous black smoking candle you should choose a trusted manufacturer.

How Does Black Smoke Affect Your Health?

The smoke harms our bodies due to the incomplete combustion of the hydrocarbon. It leads to the creation of poisonous chemical substances. Candle combustion in enclosed premises is especially harmful.

Inhaling the warm air polluted with carcinogens results in many health problems. Let’s discuss them in more detail.

1. Black smoke breathing cause respiratory damage, asthma, chronic respiratory diseases, cancer, etc
2. Precipitation of the soot leads to narrowed arteries and, thus, to the arteriosclerosis
3. Poisonous toxic agents cause senescence of the chromosomes in the lungs

Other Issues

When it comes to black soot, it does a lot of harm. To be more precise:

1. It leads to air contamination
2. It contaminates and destroys the ventilation system filters lowering the air conditioning efficiency
3. Bleaching of the furniture, walls, etc

Final Word 

There are plenty of reasons why most candles are releasing dangerous smoke. But you could easily solve this problem by following our suggested rules.

We hope this article was useful for you. Good luck!

Frequently Asked Questions

Below you could find answers to the most frequent questions.