Become an Expert: Candle Terms You Need to Know

If you’ve ever gone candle shopping and wondered what “cold throw,” “wick tunneling,” or “soy blend” actually mean — you’re not alone. Whether you’re a casual candle lover or starting your own small collection, learning a few key candle terms can help you pick (and burn) better candles.

At Embery Candles, we believe every flame tells a story — and understanding what’s behind that flicker makes the experience even cozier. So grab your favorite scent, light it up, and let’s decode the language of candles together.

Let’s start with the foundation: the wax. Not all waxes burn the same, and each has its own personality.

• Soy Wax: Made from soybeans, it’s a renewable and eco-friendly option that burns cleanly and slowly. Many small-batch candle makers (like us!) love it because it holds fragrance beautifully.

• Paraffin Wax: A petroleum-based wax that gives a strong scent throw and smooth finish. It’s common in mass-market candles but can produce more soot.

• Beeswax: A natural wax made by honeybees — it burns clean, has a warm golden glow, and releases a faint honey scent even without added fragrance.

• Coconut Wax: Made from the oil of coconuts, it’s one of the most luxurious and sustainable waxes available. It burns slow and has a creamy finish.

• Blends: Many candles use a mix (like soy-coconut) to balance performance, scent, and appearance.

Pro tip: If your candle lists “natural soy blend,” that usually means it’s mostly soy with a touch of another wax for better texture or scent diffusion.

The wick is the candle’s heart — it controls how your candle burns.

• Cotton Wick: The most common type, known for its steady, consistent flame.

• Wood Wick: Creates a soft crackling sound (like a mini fireplace!) and a wide melt pool, often found in luxury candles.

• Wick Trimming: Keeping your wick trimmed to about ¼ inch before each burn helps prevent soot and keeps the flame clean and even.

• Mushrooming: When the wick forms a small “mushroom” at the top after burning — it’s carbon buildup, and trimming helps prevent it.

Pro tip: Always trim before lighting again. It keeps your candle looking fresh and burning evenly.

You’ll often see candle makers talk about “cold throw” and “hot throw.” Here’s what those mean:

• Cold Throw: How strong a candle smells when it’s unlit. A good cold throw gives you a hint of what’s to come.

• Hot Throw: The scent strength while the candle is burning. This depends on wax quality, fragrance load, and burn time.

Pro tip: A balanced candle has both — it smells amazing on your shelf and even better when lit.

Candle care matters more than you think. Here’s why:

• Melt Pool: The liquid layer of wax that forms when a candle burns. Let it reach the edges of the jar on the first burn to avoid “tunneling.”

• Tunneling: When the candle burns straight down the center, wasting wax on the sides. This happens when you blow it out too soon.

• Burn Time: The total number of hours your candle will last. Soy candles generally burn longer than paraffin ones.

• Memory Ring: Candles “remember” their first burn pattern — so always let the wax melt evenly across the top before extinguishing.

Pro tip: The first burn should last about 2–3 hours for most medium candles. It sets the stage for every burn after.

Just like perfume, candles have layers of scent:

• Top Notes: The first scents you smell (usually citrus, herbal, or fresh).

• Middle Notes: The heart of the fragrance — often floral, fruity, or spicy.

• Base Notes: The deeper scents that linger after the flame goes out (think amber, musk, or sandalwood).

• Curing: After pouring, candles rest for a few days (or weeks) to allow fragrance oils and wax to fully bind. The result? A stronger scent throw.

• Frosting: A white, crystallized look that sometimes appears on soy candles — totally normal and just a sign of natural wax.

• Sinkhole: A small dip that forms near the wick as wax cools — often filled during the final pour.

• Double Wick: Two wicks in one candle for a bigger flame, better scent throw, and more even melt pool.

• Vessel: The container that holds your candle — jars, tins, or ceramic cups.

Pro tip: Reuse your vessels! Once the wax is gone, clean it with warm water and repurpose it for plants, pens, or coffee beans.

• Phthalate-Free: Means the fragrance oils used are free from certain chemicals that can affect indoor air quality.

• Clean Burn: A candle that produces minimal soot and smoke.

• Hand-Poured: Every candle is poured by hand rather than machine — a hallmark of small-batch quality.

• Eco Wick / Lead-Free Wick: Safe, non-toxic wick materials (standard for most quality candle brands today).

Pro tip: Look for candles that are phthalate-free, hand-poured, and made with natural waxes for a cleaner, longer burn.

Whether you’re a candle collector, new to the craft, or just trying to decode the language of scent, knowing these candle terms will help you appreciate every little detail behind your favorite glow.

At Embery Candles, we hand-pour each candle in Tampa Bay using clean soy wax, phthalate-free fragrances, and eco wicks — so you can feel good about every burn.

Next time you light a candle, you’ll know exactly what’s happening behind that perfect flicker — and maybe teach your friends a term or two.