Ever find yourself unwinding on a cozy Friday night, your favorite scented candle casting a warm glow around the room? That sweet vanilla or refreshing ocean breeze scent fills the air, and you can’t help but wonder, “How do these little wonders work?”
Well, you're in luck because we're here to break it down for you in the simplest way possible. Here's a simple explanation of how a common paraffin candle works:
A paraffin candle is made up of two main parts: a wick and a paraffin wax. The candle wick is made of braided cotton fibers and serves as a fuel conduit. The wax, which can be of several types including the popular soy wax, serves as the main fuel source.
When you light the wick of a candle, the flame melts the wax around it. This melted wax is then drawn up through the wick, like a straw.
Inside the flame, the melted wax turns into gas, which reacts with oxygen in the air to create heat and light. This reaction is called combustion.
The heat from the flame causes more wax to melt and continue fueling the flame. The process keeps repeating as long as there is enough wax and oxygen.
Sometimes, if there's not enough oxygen, the wax doesn't burn completely. This can lead to the formation of carbon, which appears as black soot.
Eventually, if the flame consumes all the available oxygen, it will go out. At this point, you may see water vapor on the inside of a glass covering the candle. This is the result of the combustion reaction.
In simple terms, the candle flame melts the wax, draws it up through the wick, and burns it as fuel to create heat and light. Scented candles work the same way, with an added step to release fragrance, which depends on the fragrance oil used.
Scented candles come in a variety of fragrances, ranging from floral and fruity to woody and spicy, catering to different preferences. The strength of the scent in a scented candle can vary depending on factors such as the quality and concentration of the fragrance oil or essential oil used. Some scented candles are designed to release the fragrance more slowly, providing a longer-lasting scent experience.
Here's how a scented candle burns:
Just like a regular candle, a scented candle also has a wick and wax. However, the wax in scented candles contains additional ingredients, such as fragrance oils or essential oils, to create the scent. Some candles will have both fragrance oil and essential oil.
When you light the wick of a scented candle, the flame still melts the wax, and the melted candle wax is drawn up through the wick.
Inside the flame, the liquid wax turns into a gas and reacts with oxygen to produce heat and light, just like in a regular candle.
However, the additional step in scented candles is that as the heat from the flame reaches the surface of the scented wax, the fragrance oils or essential oils also vaporize and mix with the burning wax.
As the scented candle wax vaporizes, it releases the fragrance into the air around the candle, filling the room with a pleasant aroma.
Along with the heat and light of the flame, the released scent adds an extra sensory experience to the candle-burning process.
So, in summary, scented candles work similarly to regular candles, but the additional step involves the vaporization of fragrance or essential oils in the wax, releasing the scent and creating a pleasant aroma while the candle burns.
Some scented candles work with candle warmers. A candle warmer is designed to melt a candle or scented wax to release its fragrance. Unlike traditional candles, candle warmers don't need a flame. It heats the candle from the bottom or the top, depending on the design, allowing the candle to last longer as the wax doesn’t burn away. They are often used as a safer alternative to burning candles, especially in homes with children or pets.
Another exception to the above process is flameless candles. They are typically powered by batteries and use LED lights to create the illusion of a burning candle. They can be a safer alternative to traditional candles, especially in homes with children or pets. Some flameless candles even come with remote controls and timers for added convenience.
The life and performance of scented candles can vary greatly depending on how you handle them. Proper candle care and usage can significantly enhance your experience with scented candles. By following the best practices, you can enjoy the full potential of your scented candles, prolong their burn time, and enhance the fragrance experience they provide.