Dish With Dorothy ~ Marion Lane Candles Blog

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New Year's Candle Safety

A friend of mine had a candle jar "explode" and cause a serious fire in his home recently.  Candle manufacturers are always concerned about the safe use of their products.  Many people comment on how shocked they were that the candle "exploded" so violently and cause a considerable sized fire so quickly. Fortunately the fire was extinguished with fire extinguishers - several fire extinguishers.  Noone was hurt in the fire and the damage was contained.  This story prompted me to post some little known facts about candles.

I know wax.  I know candles - I specifically know the science behind the candle making process, why we do what we do and why we don't do other things....  But, after reading that post on my friend's facebook today - I was immediately made aware that not everyone out there knows the science behind the  candle.  Let alone, the safety reasons behind the processes used to make the candles.  Water boils at 212 degrees.  Wax flashes - or spontaneously combusts at temperatures ranging from 300 degrees and up depending on the type of wax.  If that wax reaches the Flash Point, then the vapors produced are extremely flammable.  Any candle contained in a glass container will "burst" or "explode" at temperatures in the 300 degree and up range.

What my friend had done was place a candle (and it wouldn't matter if it was lit or not) on the top of a wood burning stove.  The exterior of a wood burning stove, especially the radient heat type, can reach 400 degrees + depending on the age of the stove and the species of wood that is being burned.  They are designed to heat your home and have very specific installation requirements.

It is very important to burn candles on heat safe surfaces as well.  The glass can reach temperatures that will scorch or even start a fire if the wick is left too long (longer than 1/8") or if the candle is burned too close to the bottom of the glass (generally it is suggested to stop burning the candle when there is between 1/4 - 1/2" wax left in the container.)  Even a small votive candle in a votive candle holder rated for candle burning will "explode" if it gets too hot from a flame that has been left unattended.  It is always a good idea to place candles in approved elevated candle holder (holders that have space between the table and candle glass for air circulation below the glass.)

My friend had success at extinguishing the fire with the fire extinguishers.  It was imperative that he use an extinguisher because candle fires are essentially the same as a grease fire.  Water, the amount the average person would throw on a fire, will spread the fire and cause it to flare and catch more items on fire.

Please use caution when burning candles.  Do not hesitate to call us with your candle safety questions.  Have a safe and Happy New Year! ~Dorothy

Give 'Em Good JuJu!

I am a firm believer in “what goes around, comes around” and we all need a little spirit lifting from time to time. So naturally, when I’m at the MLC shop I pay particular attention to the attitudes and altitudes of the shoppers and the workers. Amazingly, NONE of the MLC staff pours candles when they are feeling “out of sorts” or just plain grouchy. Marion Lane Candles are happy, up-lifting treasures! There is a long-standing philosophy that bad vibes from the pourer will cause bad “karma,” “juju,” “mojo,” or negative energy to the end-user.

Why am I telling you all of this? Now you know that burning a Marion Lane Candles product will not impart any bad juju from us.  So go on - burn one!  It may even make you feel better!  See how fun they look?  D.

Are You A Frequent Burner?

If you aren’t part of the program you may want to sign-up today! The Frequent Burner Club at Marion Lane Candles is an easy way to get $10 bucks off a future purchase! Super easy: Go to MLC. Spend at least $10. For every $10 you spend you get a point (they keep track of it in their computer). 25 points later - voila! $10 buck-a-roonies OFF! Yippee! AND ~ there’s more! Yes, Wednesdays earn you ONE EXTRA POINT!!! Really - no catch, just because it’s Wednesday. This is such a no-brainer. Go on, give ‘em your name, get in the system, earn something FREE for a change. Just say - I want to be a “Frequent Burner!” Do it today and check that bad boy off your list. ~D.