Many variables go into how we decide to make or buy our candles, one of which is how long the candle burns.
So, what type of candle wax burns the longest if everything else is equal?
And what can you do to make candles last longer?
Let’s find out…
Which Candle Wax Burns the Longest?
Beeswax is naturally the longest burning candle wax.
Beeswax naturally burns longer because it’s a hard wax with a higher melt point than other popular candle waxes like soy, coconut, and paraffin.
The hard structural integrity of the beeswax combined with the higher melt point requires much more heat to melt and does so slowly.
In general, viscous waxes with higher melt points will last longer.
Which Burns Longer, Beeswax or Soy Wax?
Beeswax burns longer than soy wax, but that doesn’t mean it’s always the better option.
Although beeswax is an excellent option for candles, it comes at a cost.
Beeswax is an expensive wax that can cost quite a bit more than soy, so soy can be an excellent alternative if you’re on a budget.
In addition, soy wax is easier to work with for candle makers. Beeswax has a great natural scent and can work well with fragrances, but it doesn’t mix with all fragrances and can be challenging to achieve a strong hot throw.
Which Candle Wax Burns the Fastest?
By itself, paraffin wax burns well but melts faster than other waxes.
To combat this, candle makers will use an additive like vybar to increase the hardness and melt point of the wax.
Wax blends can also help offset potential downsides and help extend the burn time.
Although paraffin doesn’t last as long, it’s still widely used due to its cheap cost, ease of use, and excellent scent throw.
What Else Determines How Long a Candle Will Last?
Wick Type
The type of wick can make or break a candle’s performance. The correct type and sizing are crucial to melt the wax evenly.
For example, beeswax is the longest burning wax, but you must use a wick that can handle the hardness and high melt point to melt the wax evenly.
How You Burn the Candle
If a candle is placed in an environment that will disrupt the flame, or if the candle is not burned correctly, no matter what type of wax or how well the candle is made, the candle’s lifespan will be significantly shorter.
How to Make Your Candles Last Longer
Trim the Wick
Keep the wick trimmed to ¼ inch above the surface and trim it each time you burn the candle.
An untrimmed wick will get too long, causing extra carbon buildup and a larger flame, generating more heat and melting the wax faster than the candle can handle.
A simple trim will ensure you have a stable quality flame that will melt the wax as intended.
First Time Burn Guideline
The first time you burn a candle will set the stage for how it’ll burn throughout its lifecycle.
When you first light the candle, leave it lit until nearly the entire surface of the candle has melted. It’s ok if there’s some unmelted wax left along the sides as this will be cleaned up as the candle gets deeper into the container.
If you blow out the candle with a large ring of unmelted wax, you can run into memory or tunneling issues that significantly shorten your candle’s burn time.
Don’t Burn for Too Long
The amount of time you should burn a candle depends on its size, but you definitely don’t want to let the candle go out on its own.
For the average sized candle burning more than 3-4 hours can lead to issues like the container getting too hot, a mushrooming wick, and decreased burn quality.
To get the longest burn time from your candle, allow it to achieve a full melt pool (melt the entire candle’s surface), then put it out, let it reharden, and repeat the cycle.
Add Salt
Sprinkling salt on your candle’s surface can increase the burn time.
It may also affect the wick, so you may want to take caution depending on the type of candle.
Keep Away from Drafts
A well-ventilated room is great, but you want to keep candles away from direct drafts that will disrupt the candle’s flame.
Drafts can cause the flame to flicker, resulting in an incomplete combustion process and uneven melting of the candle.