Whenever you buy a candle, you will realize that they all come in a glass jar. The wick and the wax are both sealed properly inside the candle, so most people usually just light up the candle within the jar.
However, what if you don’t want to burn a candle within a jar? There are several kinds of candles that you can use that are designed to burn without a jar. For instance, the pillar candle is one of the most popular choices.
A pillar candle is a type of candle that you can burn without having to place it in any kind of holder. These can be placed on a stand or you can just keep it on a tray. The candle is going to stand upright without any problem and it’s going to burn quite smoothly.
There are a number of different methods that you can use to burn a candle that will ensure an even melting and help you get the desired results.
If you want to burn a candle without a jar, the best thing that you can do is buy a pillar candle and use that. However, you should know that like all candles, the wax is going to melt in a container, and it’s important for you to make sure that you burn it the right way.
There are several steps that you can use to ensure that the candle burns effectively. Here are a few steps that you can use to burn a pillar candle effectively without using a jar.
Step 1
The first step is to trim the candle wick. Every time you want to burn your candle, you need to make sure that you trim the wick effectively to within 1/4th or even 1/8th inches long. There are a bunch of different tools that you can use to trim the candle, such as a simple pair of scissors or even a nail cutter.
There are specialized wick trimmers available in the market that you can use as well. The reason why you need to trim the wick is because it will give you a clearer and brighter burn in the long run.
An untrimmed wick will cause the flame to take on a mushroomed shape, which is ultimately going to dull the flame.
More importantly, an untrimmed wick is also going to leave those disastrous smoke stains around the candles. By trimming the wick, you will be able to keep the flame in control, and ultimately prevent the marks from appearing around the candle.
Step 2
Use a lighter (if you don’t have one, here are some other ways you can light a candle). During the initial burn, it’s imperative that you let a pillar candle burn for at least one hour for every inch of the diameter. For example, if you have a three-inch pillar candle, you should let it burn for at least three hours during the initial burn.
This will ensure that the candle continues to burn in an even manner and prevent the wick from getting submerged within the melted wax during every other subsequent burn.
You need to make sure the top layer of the wax has melted all the way during the burns. This can take quite a few hours, so it’s important that you do not light up a candle if you don’t have enough time to let it burn for a longer period of time. If you are not able to achieve the full melt, it only contributes to a process known as tunneling.
The wick will continue to sink lower into the melted wax, creating a tunnel of sorts. Ultimately, the tunnel will sink to the point where it will be impossible for you to light up the candle in the first place.
It might require a bit of patience, but an even burn will ensure that the candle lasts longer and is easy to light up again.
Step 3
Make sure you only use the pillar candle until it is one inch tall. If you are burning the candle for any lower than an inch, it can create a fire hazard. For the best results, you should use a tray to keep the candle burning smoothly. All of the melted wax will be collected within the tray.
When you burn a pillar candle in the right way, it is going to melt through the center, and the outer part of the candle will continue to remain firm.
If you want to use the outer wax as well and make sure that all of the wax is used, you should consider squeezing the wax a little bit to manipulate it in a way that it burns too, while it’s still relatively warm.
This will create a folding effect and help move the sides into the center and incorporate the sides as well while the candle continues to burn. There are some important safety hazards that you need to take into account to ensure that the candle is burned in a safe and efficient manner.
For instance, if you are using matches to light up the candle, you should make sure that the used wicks are kept on the side. All discarded matches and the burned wicks should be kept further away.
Also, it’s incredibly important that you remain in the same room as the burning candle. Never leave a burning candle unattended, as it could lead to a serious fire outbreak.
There have been plenty of cases in the past where serious fire outbreaks have occurred in different parts of the country due to unattended candles. There is always a risk that the candle might fall on one side, especially since it’s without the jar, and could cause a fire to break out.
All it takes is a billowing drape to catch fire, and it doesn’t take long to spread throughout the house.
So, never leave a burning candle unattended. These are just a few things that you should know about burning a candle without a jar.
I have two Associate’s degrees, one in Medical Assisting and the other in Computer Technician, and I am roughly five classes from a bachelor’s degree. Though I never ended up working in the medical field, I have five and a half years of experience in IT. I recently became a stay-at-home mom to my two young boys, and I’m so excited to start this adventure with them! In my spare time, I love to bake and read pretty much anything I can get my hands on.
Sarah
Friday 26th of February 2021
Hi Valerie!
I apologize for the delay! I hope this is still helpful. If I were in your situation, I would break down the wax into chunks and put them in a heat safe container, such as a mason jar or a glass jar specifically for candles. Then you can put them in a water bath to melt the wax down to form new candles. Good luck!
Valerie
Saturday 19th of December 2020
I have 2 large sized yankee candles that the glass completely shared in shipping. I removed all the shredded glass and small fragments and now I have 2 perfect candles, BUT, they have no comtainer to burn into. They are not pillar candles, but now seem to be just that. I don't know what to do with them, and certainly do not want not waste them. What can I do?