What Do You Do With A Wick Dipper?

 What Do You Do with a Wick Dipper?

If you are a candle lover or enthusiast, you likely understand the joys of lighting a candle to set the mood, fill a room with delightful scents, or simply enjoy the soft glow of a flame. However, part of caring for your candles is learning how to properly extinguish the flame once you’re done enjoying it. While blowing out a candle may seem like the most straightforward method, it’s not always the best option for preserving the longevity of your candle and ensuring a clean burn. This is where the wick dipper comes in – a simple yet essential tool that can enhance your candle experience.

But what exactly is a wick dipper, and how does it benefit your candle care routine? If you’ve ever found yourself wondering how to properly put out a candle or what a wick dipper even is, this post will answer all of your questions. From understanding the function of a wick dipper to the advantages of using one and tips on how to use it correctly, we will cover everything you need to know.

What is a Wick Dipper?

A wick dipper is a specialized tool designed to help you extinguish a candle flame without creating the smoke, mess, or soot associated with blowing out the flame. Typically, it is a small metal tool with a long handle and a curved or angled end. The curved end allows you to gently dip the wick into the molten wax, cutting off the oxygen supply to the flame and causing it to go out in a controlled and clean manner.

Although the wick dipper may look like a simple tool, it offers several advantages over more traditional methods of extinguishing a candle, such as blowing it out or using a lid to smother the flame. Understanding how it works and why it is useful can help you get the most out of your candles.

Why Use a Wick Dipper?

Many people are familiar with the common methods of extinguishing a candle flame: blowing it out or snuffing it with a lid or snuffer. However, these methods often come with a few downsides. Here are some of the key reasons why you might want to use a wick dipper instead:

1. Prevents Smoke and Soot

One of the biggest drawbacks of blowing out a candle is that it can create smoke, which not only leaves an unpleasant odour but can also damage the surrounding air quality. In addition to the smoke, blowing a candle out can also create soot, which can stain the candle holder and surrounding surfaces. By using a wick dipper, you can avoid both smoke and soot, ensuring a cleaner environment.

2. Reduces Wax Spillage

When you blow out a candle, the force of the air can sometimes cause molten wax to splatter outside the candle holder, creating a mess. This is especially true for candles that have a lot of wax pooled around the wick. The wick dipper allows you to gently submerge the wick into the melted wax without disturbing the wax pool, reducing the risk of spills and messes.

3. Preserves the Wick and Extends Candle Life

Using a wick dipper helps preserve the wick’s structure and keeps it from becoming uneven or bent. Blowing out the flame can cause the wick to collapse or curl, leading to uneven burning the next time you light the candle. By dipping the wick back into the melted wax, you ensure that it remains intact and ready for a clean burn the next time you light the candle.

4. More Controlled and Elegant

Blowing out a candle can be abrupt and a little messy, whereas using a wick dipper allows for a more controlled, quiet, and elegant experience. It’s a simple, yet sophisticated way to extinguish the flame, enhancing the ambience of your candle-lit space.

5. Prevents Flame Residue on the Wick

Another benefit of using a wick dipper is that it helps prevent the formation of residue on the wick. When you blow out a candle, the wick can leave behind charred bits of burnt wick that can make future lighting uneven. By dipping the wick into the wax, you remove the flame entirely and avoid any charred buildup.

How to Use a Wick Dipper

Using a wick dipper is simple and effective. If you are new to the tool, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you use it correctly:

1. Light the Candle and Let It Burn

Before you even think about extinguishing your candle, it’s important to let it burn for a sufficient amount of time. This allows the wax to melt evenly across the surface, creating a uniform pool of melted wax. Candles that aren’t allowed to melt evenly may tunnel, leaving wax along the edges and causing an inefficient burn. Generally, you should allow your candle to burn for at least one hour for a clean, even melt pool.

2. Position the Wick Dipper

Once the candle has burned for a while and you’re ready to extinguish the flame, take your wick dipper and hold the metal end near the wick. Make sure that the wick dipper is not too close to the flame to avoid burning yourself or disturbing the surrounding wax too much.

3. Dip the Wick into the Wax

Using the curved end of the wick dipper, gently lower the wick into the molten wax. Be sure to submerge the wick completely into the wax for a moment to cut off the oxygen supply to the flame. The lack of oxygen will cause the flame to go out without producing any smoke or soot. The wick should be fully submerged, but you don’t need to leave it in the wax for too long.

4. Lift the Wick Back Out

After extinguishing the flame, gently lift the wick back out of the wax. At this point, the wick should be coated in the molten wax. This helps keep the wick intact and ensures it won’t burn unevenly the next time you light the candle.

5. Allow the Candle to Cool

After extinguishing the flame, give the candle some time to cool. This allows the wax to solidify and the wick to reset in a good position. Avoid lighting the candle again immediately, as this can cause an uneven burn or may damage the wick.

Tips for Candle Care with a Wick Dipper

While using a wick dipper is a great way to preserve your candles and extend their life, there are a few additional tips for maintaining your candles:

• Trim the Wick Regularly: Before lighting your candle each time, trim the wick to about 1/4 inch. This helps prevent the candle from producing excess soot and ensures an even burn.

• Burn Candles in a Safe Area: Always burn candles on a heat-resistant surface and avoid drafts, curtains, or anything flammable. Never leave a burning candle unattended.

• Allow Candles to Burn Long Enough: To avoid tunnelling, allow your candles to burn long enough so that the wax melts across the entire surface. One hour of burn time per inch of candle diameter is recommended.

• Store Candles Properly: When not in use, store your candles in a cool, dry place to prevent the wax from melting prematurely or becoming misshapen.

Conclusion

A wick dipper is a small yet powerful tool that can significantly enhance your candle experience. It provides a safer, cleaner, and more efficient way to extinguish your candles without creating smoke, soot, or mess. By gently dipping the wick into the molten wax, you preserve the integrity of the candle and wick, ensuring a longer-lasting and more enjoyable burn each time you light it.

Whether you're an avid candle collector or simply enjoy lighting a candle for special occasions, incorporating a wick dipper into your candle care routine is a smart and sophisticated way to make the most of your candles. With proper care and attention, your candles will burn brighter, longer, and cleaner, creating the perfect ambience every time. Happy candle burning!