The popularity of candle warmers is spreading like wildfire, with sales increasing about 20% a year. Increasingly more people are switching from traditional open-flame scented candles. But is this new trend just a fad? Are candle warmers really better than burning candles?
Candle warmers are better than burning traditional candles due to the long-lasting scent throw. They don’t use an open flame and release no soot, making them safer. They are also cost-efficient.
If you’re thinking of replacing your regular scented candles with a wax warmer, you should learn more about them. Let’s get started.
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What are Candle Warmers?
Candle warmers are devices with fragrant wax melt. But unlike traditional candles, they melt the wax without actually burning them. You see, candle warmers don’t have a wick. Instead of a flame, they use power from electricity, light bulbs, or batteries to create a warm current that, in turn, melts the candle wax and releases the fragrance.
Candle warmers come in many different shapes, sizes, and materials. But their functionality remains the same across the board. For easier classification, warmers are categorized based on the location of the heat source.
Lamp warmers use a heat source over the wax melt. The process is pretty straightforward. These models are typically placed on the dining table or a shelf to provide an ambiance during dinner or the holiday season.
On the other hand, candle warmer plates utilize an electric heating element placed underneath the candle. When you turn the wax holder on, the plate’s heating coils beneath it generate heat. The energy transfers to the candle and warms the wax, causing it to melt and release the fragrance into the air.
Candle warmers are also available in most retail shops and online stores. They are mostly made from aluminum or steel cans and powered by batteries or fuel like methanol gel.
Are Candle Warmers Better Than Burning?
Anecdotal evidence indicates that candle warmers are better than burning using an open flame. Some benefits include cost-efficiency, safety, scent throw, and lasting power. Continue reading to understand why candle warmers are preferred.
Cost Efficiency
Since warmers take longer to melt non-lit candles, you spend less than buying a new item each time the wick burns out. You can further cut costs by melting leftover wax from other candles, creating your unique blend of aromas.
Nonetheless, the leftover melted wax can be collected and used to create a new candle. Since it releases most of the fragrance during heating, the new candle you make will be scentless. Luckily, adding a few drops of essential oil before solidifying can bring back the aroma.
Although candle warmers and the wax melts are a bit expensive, they are worth it in the long run.
Enhances Safety
Anyone with kids or pets can attest to the vast number of ‘accidents’ that occur within the home. That is why most parents strive to make the living environment safer.
You need an open flame to heat traditional wicked candles – a fire hazard. You might forget to blow out the flame after the candle burns out its course, or your child or pet can tip over a burning candle. That’s why the creators of candle warmers went a step further and added an auto-off function, effectively minimizing the risk of a house fire.
They also say that curiosity can do more than kill a cat. Kids and pets are naturally curious, and if the candle is within reach, they will try to investigate the flame. Such acts can lead to burns and unnecessary trips to the ER.
Is Longer Lasting
Wax melt in a candle warmer burns much slower than a lit-up traditional candle. The open flame on the wick produces immense heat at the point of contact, which melts the candle faster.
Some candle warmers can last 4 – 8 hours without being switched off. No regular candle burns this long. Because the heating process is slower, more fragrance is released over an extended period.
Easily Control Scent Throw
The scent throw is the strength of fragrance a candle lets off. And although it’s largely dependent on the type of wax used and the amount of fragrance it contains, you cannot control the throw with regular candles.
The fragrance is infused in traditional scented candles. You have to burn most of the wick to achieve an adequate hot throw. However, candle warmers use wax melt sold as packs of bars that you can break off into individual pieces. You decide how much you’d like to burn—either use a whole bar or break it into pieces.
Environmentally Friendly
Most traditional candles are made from paraffin wax. When burned, they release soot which pollutes the air. When placed near a wall, the carbon-black residue forms a dark coat making it unsightly. If the wick burns close to a surface, it causes a yellow discoloration.
Research studies prove that soot from most regular candles contains volatile organic compounds, like formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. These chemicals are toxic and highly carcinogenic.
Are Candle Warmers Toxic?
A 2007 study found that the amount of chemicals released by wax has no significant effect on human health. When you think about it, the benefits are too good to be true; affordable but more efficient when compared to burning candles.
Numerous studies by the EPA have confirmed that burning wax candles releases chemicals like toluene and alkenes, which are potentially dangerous to our health. So, you are better off taking the safer path with candle warmers.
The Bottom Line
Candle warmers are an excellent option for candle lovers who wish to avoid the dangers of fire in the house while still enjoying the warmth, ambiance, and aroma of scented wax.
It’s high time you switch to candle warmers to enjoy the benefits that come with the method.
I currently work as a medical receptionist, but my ultimate goal is to work as an occupational therapy assistant. Helping others achieve a better quality of life is something I’m after. That’s one of the main reasons I started this blog. Learn more about me.