Candle Compendium

Facts Worth Knowing

 

What to do when the wick soots? And which production methods are there for making candles? Our ABC of candles provides the answers to your questions:

Association of German Candle Manufacturers: The German Candle Manufacturers' Association ceased its activities at the end of 2008. In its place, the ECA (European Candle Association) has represented the interests of candle manufacturers in Europe from 2009 (see also ECA ).

Burning time: Candles should burn each time until the entire burning plate has become liquid. Otherwise, a high wax rim will form, which will impair the flame.

Casting method: There are different ways of making candles. In the casting process, the wick is stretched in moulds and wax is poured around it. This is how, for example, taper candles and candles in glass are made.

Citronella: These candles, which may only be used outdoors, not only have a great lemon scent but also keep away annoying mosquitoes and are therefore particularly suitable for long summer evenings on the balcony or in the garden.

Cleaning: Dusty or dirty candles are best cleaned with a lint-free cloth (e.g. linen) moistened with spirit or water.

Colours: Coloured candles are made by dyeing them completely or by dipping white candles in a colour bath with wax. They can also be printed. The motifs and colours are usually based on current seasonal or interior design trends.

Distance: If burning candles are too close to each other, they can be deformed by the heat of the flame. Therefore, the distance should be at least ten centimetres.

Drawing process: Candle drawing is one of the oldest manufacturing processes in which the wick is repeatedly drawn through a hot wax bath. With each pass, more wax is absorbed until the candle has reached the desired thickness. The drawing process is used to make stick candles.

ECA: A number of European industrial manufacturers of candles have organised themselves in a European association (European Candle Association - ECA). The new organisation can only support its member companies and for the public if it is generally recognised as the mouthpiece of the European candle industry. Therefore, the activities of the Association of German Candle Manufacturers were discontinued at the end of 2008.

First candle: The oldest preserved wax candle dates back to the first century AD and is located in France (Vaison / la Romaine).

Flame: The candle flame is an open fire and reached temperatures up to 1,400°C.

Heat: Candles should never be exposed to direct sunlight or other sources of heat, otherwise they can deform.

Origin: Forerunners of today's candle date back as much as 3,000 years. At that time, they consisted of straw, hemp or reed, which was soaked in resin or tallow.

Paraffin: Most candles today are made of the waxy, odourless and non-toxic raw material paraffin, which is mainly extracted from petroleum.

RAL Quality Mark Candles: It stands for objectively verifiable quality criteria such as low smoke and soot, high-quality wicks, consistent shape and pollutant-free colours and raw materials. Compliance with the RAL seal is constantly monitored by DEKRA Umwelt GmbH. Gies Kerzen is one of 33 manufacturers whose products may bear the RAL Quality Mark.

Scented candles: More and more candle lovers are discovering the pleasant combination of candlelight and sensual scents. Scented candles are mainly used to bring more feel-good atmosphere and cosiness into the house. However, they are also often used for decoration or to dispel unpleasant odours.

Stearin: Stearin is obtained from a renewable raw material on a plant or animal basis. Candles made of stearin are low in soot and have a good burning behaviour. In addition, they look particularly elegant.

Storage: Candles should be stored in a dark, cool, dry and dust-free place. For stick and table candles: store lying down so that they keep their shape.

Tealights: Tealights are real perennial favourites for the whole year. High-quality tea lights that bear the RAL Quality Mark burn for at least four hours and are low in smoke and soot. They are made from fine powder paraffin that is compressed under high pressure.

Wax rim: A high wax rim on a pillar candle can impair the flame and can easily be cut off when warm.

Wax stain removal: Wax can be easily removed from textiles by placing an absorbent paper (e.g. blotting paper) on the stains and gliding over it with a hot iron. On smooth surfaces, the stains can be liquefied with a hair dryer and then wiped away with paper.

Wick length: The ideal wick length is five to ten millimetres. A longer wick soots and should be shortened.