Candle Warmers 101: Candle Warmers Explained

candle warmers

Candle warmers have been becoming more popular in recent years because of the limitations you can now find on burning candles. Candle warmers allow you to enjoy the fragrance of a scented candle without having to burn a candle and experiencing the soot that can come with burning it.

What is a candle warmer? A candle warmer is an electric warmer that will melt candle wax without a flame. Melting the candle wax allows scented candles to release their fragrance oils into the air without needing a flame. Candle warmers are considered a safer alternative to lighting and burning candles.

They are also used by people who want a cleaner environment while enjoying their scent without worrying about potential health risks from open flames or other heating methods.

The warmer is also known as an electric wax melter or an electric scented wax warmer. They are used in homes, offices, and commercial spaces to add fragrance to spaces without using up too much power.

They come in a variety of shapes and sizes with designs made to fit any type of decor.

The Purpose Of A Candle Warmer

Candles are a crucial part of many people’s lives, whether it is to celebrate an occasion or simply for decoration purposes. However, it can be difficult to keep these candles burning throughout the night.

What is the purpose of a candle warmer? The purpose of a candle warmer is to melt your candle without the use of an open flame. This allows more versatility in how and where you can enjoy scented candles while reducing the risk of an incident,. Wax warmers are particularly useful and popular in offices, college dorms, and apartments.

One purpose of them is to keep the heat and smell from the candle in a safe location. They are commonly used in places like hospitals and nursing homes where candles are often used for relaxation and reflection, but where safety is a priority.

Another purpose of a warmer is to melt wax on the wick, which allows for better burning and more even temperatures around the flame.

And the third purpose of them is to help you prolong the life of your candles by melting the wax and keeping it warm for more than one hour at a time.

Pros and Cons of Candle Warmers

Pros and Cons of Candle Warmers

Pros Of Candle WarmersCons Of Candle Warmers
No open flameUses electricity
Safe around petsCan ruin the candle
Use while sleepingLeftover wax
Less risk of fireNot all candles work

Everything comes with its positives and negatives but using candle warmers rather than burning candles just creates more options for consumers and candle lovers.

Candle Warmers vs. Candles

Value

Candles can be expensive and we all want to get the most value out of our candles. We want them to last as long as possible while producing the fragrances that we all enjoy. Do candle warmers help candles last longer?

Candle warmers do help candles last longer. Your candle will last at least twice as long if you’re using a ceramic or metal warmer that’s not too hot and not in direct contact with your wax.

Candles can be expensive. However, they can last a long time if they are properly taken care of with warmers. They are designed to help candles last longer by keeping the wax warm for a while before it starts to cool down and harden.

Performance

Warmers are perfect for when you want to make sure that your home’s atmosphere is as romantic and cozy as possible without the risks associated with an open flame. Are candle warmers better than burning candles?

Candle warmers are better than burning candles in some ways. For example, when using a candle warmer the fragrance can last longer, the candle produces no soot and there is a reduced risk of fire. However, candle warmers do not provide the same aesthetic as a candle flame.

So depending on how you rate performance in fragrance vs aesthetic, it is debatable.

Candle Warmers vs. Wax Warmers

They are often confused with each other because they have similar names and serve similar purposes. Are candle warmers the same as wax warmers?

Wax warmers and candle warmers are not the same. Candle warmers melt wax by warming candles and wax warmers melt wax tarts or wax melts that have no wick. Candle warmers are great for using a product you already have, wax warmers require the purchase and use of wax melts or wax tarts.

A candle warmer refers to an electrical product that can keep candles warm or even melt them down slightly. The wax that’s melted by this type of device can be poured into molds or kept in containers for later use.

The Difference In Wax Warmers And Candle Warmers

  • A wax warmer is a device used to warm small pieces of wax that are similar to candles in scent and composition.
  • A candle warmer will help you keep a large, traditional candle lit without it burning the wick.

Candle Warmer Impact On Candles

When you put a candle in a candle warmer it will completely melt the wax within the candle helping release the fragrance into the air. Can candle warmers damage a candle?

Candle warmers do not damage candles. However, watch the candle wick to make sure it stays upright. If the wick falls over and the wax is allowed to harden, you will not be able to light the candle without recovering the candle wick.

Candle warmers can help to keep your candles smell great for a longer time than they would have lasted on their own and are designed to. Another benefit is that the candles remain clean, and the fragrance remains untainted because they do not produce any soot.

The Cost Of Using Candle Warmers

Many people are unaware of the fact that a warmer uses very little electricity. This is because they use a lot less than a typical light bulb. Do candle warmers use a lot of electricity?

Using a candle warmer 8 hours per day for a year will use 73kWh of electricity which costs the average American around $9 per year. This is calculated as 25 watts X 8 hours X 365 days a year = 73,000 watts. 73kWh x 13 cents per kWh = $9.49, which is relatively low considering the amount of use.

So, running your favorite warmer all year round will cost you just 9 bucks. This is amazing value for such a helpful household gadget.

Candle Warmer Usage Times

The great thing about candle warmers is that many of them come with additional settings for automatic shutoff and some are even programmable. How long can a candle warmer stay on?

Candle warmers can remain functional for up to 10 hours. The length of time will depend on the strength of the heat individually, but you should be fine as long as 1) you are in the same room as it, or 2) the warmer comes with an auto shut off or is programmed to shut off.

Keep in mind that some candles may lose their scent after 5 hours on the candle warmer and you might be switching it off sooner to replace it.

Candle Warmers and Burning Candles

The average life span of a candle is six hours when lit in traditional, non-candle warming ways. But your candle will last substantially longer when using a candle warmer. Can you light a candle while it’s on a candle warmer?

Do not light a candle while it’s on a candle warmer. The candle warmer will melt the wax that normally supports the candle wick, which can allow the wick to lean to one side. If this happens the flame will be up against the side of the container and can cause the glass to burst.

This creates a hazard that can burn someone or start a fire.

Candle Warmer Safety

Some people might worry about the use of these devices because they could cause fires or carbon monoxide poisoning if left unattended or used improperly. But when used correctly and according to safety tips, these devices should not cause any issues.

They should be kept at least three feet away from anything that could ignite like curtains, fabric chairs, wood furniture, etc. and there are some other reasons not to leave them unattended or burning for extended amounts of time.

Hazards of Using Candle Warmers

  • Overheating
  • Causing electrical wire damage
  • Being a trip hazard from the warmer’s chord
  • Possible electrocution from water spills
  • Smoke from a candle too near the heating lamp.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use a candle as a wax melt?

You can use a candle was a wax melt. When you put a candle in a candle warmer it works essentially the same way a wax warmer works with wax melts or wax tarts. It heats the candle wax until the fragrance oil begins to evaporate.

Conclusion

In conclusion, candle warmers can be a great option for those that are not able to light candles due to their living or work circumstances. In addition, candle warmers can be a great option around children and pets.

However, while they are less likely to start fires, they can still cause burns due to the hot wax in the candle warmers. So some precautions should be taken when using them around kids and pets.

Whichever way you decide to go, just remember to follow common sense safety guidelines and manufacturer suggested usage guidelines and you will get there most our of your candles and candle warmers.

Carl Adamson

Hi, I'm Carl Adamson, one of the founders here at Candleers. A few years ago I got really into the art and craft of candle making, initially with soy wax container candles. My friends started asking me to make candles for them and pretty soon it turned into a nice side-business. I started this website as a way to document what I've learned over the past few years and hopefully help others in the process. I still love candle making but I'm learning that what I enjoy even more is the business side of things - and for this reason I've started consulting others on how to start and grow their own candle-making businesses and side-hustles.

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