How to Turn Off a Candle The Proper Way
Turning off a candle is something that probably doesn’t need a 600-word article, but here we are. You just blow on the flame, and the candle is turned off right? Wrong. In this small guide, I will tell you how to properly turn off a candle, in four different ways.
The Different Ways to Extinguish a Candle
There are four ways in which you can turn off your candles, and the last one will prevent any white smoke.
- Blow on the flame
- Cover the candle with the jar lid
- Use a snuffer
- Use a wick dipper
Each method has its pros and cons, and we will discuss each one of them below.
Blow on the Flame
This one is pretty straightforward, once you feel like you are done with your candle, you just blow on the flame to extinguish it.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fast method | Creates white smoke |
Cover the Candle with the Jar Lid
If you purchased a scented candle that comes in a jar and has a lid as well, then once your room is filled with aroma, you can place the lid on the jar while the flame is lit. This prevents any oxygen from reaching the flame, and after a few seconds, resulting in it being turned off.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy and safe method | Creates white smoke but inside the jar |
| No need for additional equipment | Creates a bad burning smell after using this method multiple times |
| – | The lid will have black residue on the bottom |
Use a Snuffer
A snuffer is a tool that is used to turn off a candle. It comes in the shape of a stick with a bell hanging at the end of it. This is another method to turn off your candle, but again, creates white smoke after the flame is fully extinguished.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy and safe method | Creates white smoke |
| – | Requires you to actually own a snuffer |
| – | Can be a bit tricky to use |
Use a Wick Dipper
If you asked yourself how to turn off a candle without smoke, then using a wick dipper is the way. Even though it is a bit of an advanced method, and can ruin your candle if not done correctly, I would still prefer to use the wick dipper technique, as the risk vs reward is leaning more towards the reward.
To use this method, simply bring a wick dipper, or any long stick, and use it to dip your wick inside the melted wax. This will instantly extinguish the flame, all while preventing any smoke. Then take the wick back outside the wax, and you are good to go.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Prevents white smoke | Can risk ruining your candle if not done right |
| Fast method | – |
| Can be used with any long tool at your disposal | – |
What is the Best Way to Turn Off a Candle
So based on the above four methods, I would say the best way to extinguish a candle flame, is to use a wick dipper to dip your wick inside the wax. This is the method that prevents any white smoke and can be done with anything long that you have lying around.
After that, I would suggest blowing, then using a snuffer, and finally covering your candle with a lid.