Why Does My Three-Wick Candle Burn Faster?Updated an hour ago
If you've noticed your multi-wick candle burning faster than a single-wick candle, that's completely normal. Here's why.
More Wicks Mean More Flame
It's simple: multiple flames consume wax faster than one flame.
Each wick draws up liquid wax through capillary action, vaporizes it with heat, and burns it to create light and fragrance. When you have two or three wicks doing this simultaneously, you're naturally going through wax at a faster rate than a candle with just one wick.
Think of it like having multiple burners on instead of one. More heat sources mean faster consumption.
Multi-Wick Candles Are Larger
Multi-wick candles, like our Tortoise Candle (which has two wicks), are typically much larger in volume than single-wick candles. They're designed with more wax to accommodate those multiple flames.
Even though they contain more wax overall, the multiple wicks still burn through it faster than a single wick would burn through a smaller candle.
The Trade-Off: Better Performance
While multi-wick candles do burn faster, they offer significant benefits:
Stronger fragrance throw: Multiple flames generate more heat, which releases fragrance more effectively into larger spaces.
Even burning: Multiple wicks help the wax melt evenly across a wider surface, reducing the risk of tunneling.
Brighter ambiance: Multiple flames create more candlelight and visual impact.
Better for large rooms: Single-wick candles work great in bathrooms or bedrooms, but multi-wick candles are ideal for living rooms, open-concept spaces, or anywhere you want maximum fragrance.
How to Get the Most From Your Multi-Wick Candle
Follow these care tips to maximize your candle's lifespan:
Trim all wicks to 1/4 inch before each burn. This is even more important with multiple wicks. Untrimmed wicks create a lot of flame and heat.
Let the wax pool to the edges on the first burn. With multiple wicks, this usually happens faster than with a single wick, but it's still crucial for preventing tunneling.
Don't burn for more than 4 hours at a time. Multiple flames generate significant heat. Give your candle breaks between burns.
Keep all wicks centered. After extinguishing and before the wax cools, check that all wicks are still centered in the vessel.
Stop burning when 1/2 inch of wax remains. This safety rule applies to all candles, but it's especially important with multi-wick candles due to the increased heat.
Is It Worth It?
Absolutely. Multi-wick candles are designed for impact. They fill larger spaces with fragrance more effectively, create beautiful ambiance, and burn more evenly across their surface.
Yes, they burn faster than single-wick candles. But the performance and experience they deliver make them worth it, especially for main living areas where you want maximum fragrance throw.
If you want a longer-lasting option for smaller spaces, our Signature Candle offers up to 80 hours of burn time with a single wick.
The Bottom Line
Multi-wick candles burn faster because they have multiple flames working simultaneously and are larger in volume. This is by design. The faster burn rate is the trade-off for superior fragrance throw, even melting, and dramatic ambiance in larger spaces.
Choose single-wick candles for longevity in smaller rooms, and multi-wick candles when you want to make a statement.
More questions for us? Call 1.877.7VOTIVO (1.877.786.8486) or send an email to [email protected].