Getting the most from a soy wax candle

Soy wax has memory. The first burn should run long enough for the melt pool to reach the edge of the shell — usually two to three hours. Skip it and the candle will tunnel for the rest of its life.

Trim the wick to about 5mm before every burn. A long wick produces soot, which on a coconut shell shows immediately along the rim.

Because soy burns cooler than paraffin, the scent throw builds slowly and lasts longer. Give a cinnamon or rose candle twenty minutes before deciding it isn't strong enough.