Tin Candle Burn Tips: Get the Most Out of Your Mrs. Meyer's Candle

Quick answer

To get the most out of your Mrs. Meyer's tin candle, always trim the wick to 1/4 inch before lighting, let the wax pool reach the edges on the first burn, and never burn longer than 4 hours at a time.

Step-by-step tin candle care

1. Trim the wick before every burn: Use a wick trimmer or small scissors to cut the wick to 1/4 inch. This prevents a tall, smoky flame that can leave soot on the tin and shorten the burn time.
2. Let the wax pool reach the edges on the first burn: Light the candle and let it burn until the entire top layer of wax is liquid and touches the sides of the tin. For a 3.5-ounce tin, this usually takes 1–2 hours. If you snuff it out early, a ring of solid wax will remain and cause tunneling. Set a timer so you don't blow it out too soon.
3. Burn in sessions of 2–4 hours: After the wax has pooled fully, limit each burn session to 4 hours maximum. Longer burns cause the wick to mushroom and the tin to get too hot. Let the candle cool completely between burns.
4. Keep the candle away from drafts: A draft makes the flame flicker, which creates an uneven melt pool and can cause black soot on the tin. Place your candle on a stable, heat-safe surface away from open windows, fans, or air vents.
5. Stop using the candle when 1/2 inch of wax remains: When the wax level drops to about 1/2 inch from the bottom, the tin gets too hot and the wick can't burn properly. Discard the remaining wax and recycle the tin. Recycle the empty tin instead of tossing it in the trash.

Product spotlight

• Compassion Flower Tin Candle: Smooth 12-hour burn time fills the room with garden-inspired scent. A full 12-hour burn is only possible if you prevent tunneling by following the first-burn rule.