If you have a candle warmer lamp, or you have been given one and are wondering what to put under it, you have probably come across the phrase wickless candle. Here is what it means, how it works and how to get the best from one.
What is a wickless candle?
A wickless candle is exactly what it sounds like: a scented candle in a jar, made without a wick. It is never lit. It is made to sit under a candle warmer lamp, where the warmth from the bulb gently melts the top of the wax and releases the fragrance into the room.
You may also see them described as candles for candle warmer lamps, candle warmer candles or flameless candles. They are all the same idea.
How does a candle warmer lamp work?
A candle warmer lamp has a bulb that shines down onto the candle from above. The bulb gives off enough heat to melt the surface of the wax into a scented pool, with no flame involved. Many lamps, including the one we stock, have a dimmer so you can turn the warmth, and the strength of the scent, up or down.
Because the heat comes from above, the candle needs to be the right shape and size to sit under the lamp. Our wickless candles are poured into a clear glass jar for exactly this, and they are not suitable for warmer plates that heat from underneath.
Why choose wickless?
- No flame. There is no lit wick to remember to blow out, and nothing burning on the side while you get on with your evening.
- No soot or smoke. With nothing burning, there is no smoke and no black marks around the top of the jar.
- No wick to look after. No trimming, no tunnelling and no wick sinking into the wax.
- A soft glow. The lamp doubles as a warm light, so you keep the cosy feeling of a candle.
How do you use one?
- Place your lamp on a flat, stable surface, away from curtains, bedding and anything that could catch.
- Take the lid off the candle and sit it under the lamp.
- Switch the lamp on and give it a little time. The wax will melt from the top and the scent will build gradually.
- Switch the lamp off when you leave the room or go to bed, and let the wax and the lamp cool before moving either.
Is it completely risk free?
No, and it is worth being honest about that. A candle warmer lamp is an electrical appliance with a hot bulb, and the glass and melted wax get hot too. Removing the flame removes the open flame risk, but the lamp still needs the same common sense as any other heat source in your home. We have written more about this in Why go wickless? What the research says about flame, soot and scent.
Our wickless candles
Every BySparkes wickless candle is hand poured in small batches using soy wax, with around 205g of wax in a clear glass jar, presented in a black gift box with a CLP and wax safety card.
You can find our seasonal scents in The Seasonal Collection and our year round scents, Held and Hush, in the Quiet Glow Collection. New to all of this? Our lamp and candle gift set has everything you need to start.