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How To Run A Candle Burn Test
Burn time is measured, not guessed. Full burns and partial weigh-backs give realistic hours for labels and QC.
“How many hours does it burn?” should be a measured answer, not a guess. Burn testing underpins labels, QC and customer trust. At Rufus Concept we recommend two practical methods: patient full burns and scale-based partial estimates.
Why Burn Time Matters
Gifts, hotels and retail need honest hours. Wrong claims bring returns. Wick, wax type, fragrance load and drafts all change duration—there is no universal number.
- Keep label and product page aligned.
- Retest when wick or fragrance lots change.
- Log soot, tunneling and scent throw together.
Method 1: Full Burn Test
Take at least one sample (preferably three) of the SKU. Trim to 5–6 mm. Burn in a draft-free room; limit sessions to about 3–4 hours for safety and realistic use. After each extinguish, log time, flame height, soot, melt diameter and throw. Sum hours until the candle is done—that is your real duration.
- Record starting weight in grams.
- Note remaining weight after each session.
- Maintain wick care every time—or hours and soot skew.
- Average three samples for the label; do not market a lucky single run.
Method 2: Partial Burn And Estimate
Short on time? Burn for a controlled period (e.g. 4 hours) and weigh consumption. Roughly: total_hours ≈ start_g / (used_g / hours_burned)—only if flame and pool are stable. Prefer mid-session hours over the warm-up first hour.
| Method | Upside | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Full burn | Most realistic | Takes time |
| Partial + scale | Faster estimate | Needs stable burn |
| One sample | Cheap | Variance risk |
| Three samples | Reliable average | More wax |
Extra Observations
Soy and paraffin differ in the same jar. Higher fragrance can change hours and soot. Larger wicks consume faster; wood wicks need separate logs. Beeswax and stearic firm blends reset the wick–hours balance. In gel, also note clarity and bubbles.
- Log room temperature (about 18–24 °C for clean notes).
- Do not use drafty results for labels.
- Add supply lot codes to each row.
FAQ
How long does a normal candle burn? It depends; 150–200 g jars often land near 30–45 hours—measure yours.
300 g? Roughly 40–60+ hours possible; wick and base decide.
Which burns longest? Correct wick, measured oil, clean burn. “Endless candle” claims are not realistic.
How to make longer burns? Right wick for diameter, quality wax, modest fragrance, full first-burn education.
Atelier Discipline
One burn sheet per SKU: date, wax, wick, fragrance %, hours, soot, tunnel, scent. Add photos. New mould or vessel means a fresh test. Recipes built with Rufus Concept materials should not ship on guessed hours.
Summary: burn tests need patience or a scale—both beat guessing. Measure, average, label—trust lives in the log behind the hour claim.
Before You Print The Label
Do not market a lucky long outlier; use a three-sample average and conservative rounding. Floor language like “40+ hours” is safer than inflated ceilings. Customer rooms and wick care can shorten life—add “depends on room and wick care” on the card.
Do not copy old hours onto a new fragrance or wick lot—mini-test first. When Rufus Concept lots change, open a new burn-sheet row.
Safety Note
Never leave a test burn unattended. Split long tests across work hours if needed. Keep a fire blanket and water nearby. Do not move hot vessels immediately after the flame is out.
Photograph the final melt line and empty vessel weight; those two images settle disputes faster than a verbal “it should last longer” argument with a retailer.