Best Candles For Candlesticks And Candelabras

Pillar, taper and votive candles are the best for candlesticks and candelabras. These candles stay inside the holders well, and usually have a long burn time.

Did you know that we spend more than 3 billion dollars on candles every year. Candles come in various sizes and shapes, and choosing the best fit for your candle holders is essential for adding the perfect ambiance.

This article will explain the types of candles suitable for candle holders, discuss the best candles for candlesticks and candelabras, and provide a step-by-step guide to secure candles in candlesticks and candelabras.

Types of Candles Suitable for Candlesticks and Candelabras

Candles (and candlesticks) come in various sizes and shapes. The most suitable for candle holders, candlesticks, and candelabras are pillars, tapers and votives.

Pillar Candles

Pillar candles are thick candles with the same diameter throughout the length. These add a stylish touch to your standard candle holder but are exceptional when used on candelabras or even chandeliers.

These smokeless candles also come in a wide variety of shapes and colors.

Taper Candles

Taper candles are a good choice for candle holders due to their stylish look. With a standard balanced base and a long sleek top, they are aesthetically pleasing candles to use in candle holders.

Usually, these candles come in a 3/4 or 7/8 inch base diameter that can fit into a large variety of standard candlesticks and candelabras without feeling wobbly at all.

Votive Candles

Votives are little candles, usually with a diameter of 2-3 inches and 2 inches in height. They look fabulous when paired with metallic or glass candelabras.

These candles are smaller than pillars and wider than tapers.

When choosing candles for candlesticks or candelabras, here are the most important things you want to look for:

• Base Diameter [Size]
  Most standard candle holders are designed to fit a 7/8 inch taper. Double-check the candle’s base size so that it won’t wobble or need trimming.
• Dripless
  For formal settings (like dinner tables or events), look for dripless or low-drip candles. They help avoid mess and damage to your holders or tablecloths (read more on that here.)
• Burn Time
  Longer events or dinners mean you’ll need longer-lasting candles. As a general rule: 1 inch of taper = 1 hour of burn. Pillars and votives typically burn longer because of their size.
• Wick Type
  A cotton or braided wick is the best type. It burns more evenly and reduces smoking. Avoid metal-core wicks if you can, which are outdated and aren’t as clean-burning.
• Aesthetics
  Consider the candle’s shape and color in relation to your holder. Ornate candelabras often look better with sleek tapers, while chunky holders suit pillars candles better.
• Unscented vs Scented
  Choose unscented candles for dining or tight indoor spaces. Scented candles can interfere with food or be overpowering in large arrangements.

How To Secure Candles in Candlesticks

You can secure the candle from falling out by:

1. Using Candle Snuggers

Candle snuggers are small foam disks that can be used to secure candles in candlesticks or candelabras. Just place a foam disk in the candle holder’s opening and gently press the candle into it. This will fit the candle tight into the candle holder, and it won’t wiggle.

2. Using Hot Water for Candles That are Bigger Than the Holder

Take a cup of water in a bowl and heat it. Then dip the base of your candle in the warm water for a few minutes. This will soften the base of the candle which can now easily be inserted into the candle holder.

3. Using Aluminium Foil for the Candles Smaller Than the Holder

To secure small-sized candles, take a three-inch wide strip of aluminum foil and fold it three to 4 times. Then wrap the folded foil strip around the base of the candle and insert it into the candle holder to determine if it has attained the right size.

4. Adding a Few Melted Drops Inside Candle Holder

Light the candle and let a few drops of melted wax fall inside the candle holder. Blow out the flame quickly, and place the candle in the holder to fix it in a straight position.

5. Using Stick-um

Stick-um is a soft wax that works like glue. You can take out a pea-sized ball of wax; insert it into the candle holder and press down the candle. It will the candle stand straight in the holder.

6. Using Sharp Blade to Cut the Candle to the Right Size

For large-sized candles, you can use a sharp knife or blade to trim the base of the candles.

When Not to Use Certain Candle Types

While tapers, pillars, and votives are great for most settings, there are times when they may not be the best choice:

• Avoid Pillars in Narrow or Shallow Holders
  Pillars can be too wide or heavy for standard candlesticks. If not properly supported, they may tilt or fall.
• Avoid Votives in Open-Style Candelabras
  Votives need containers. Using them without proper holders (like a glass cup insert) may lead to melted wax spills.
• Avoid Tapers in Outdoor Settings Without Wind Shields
  Tapers are elegant, but vulnerable to breezes. If you’re using them outdoors, protect the flame or use enclosed alternatives.
• Avoid Scented Candles at Meals
  As mentioned, taper candles aren’t ideal for scent throw, and scented versions may clash with the aroma of food. Stick to unscented when dining.

Additional Note On Taper Candles

There’s a few extra things to note on Taper candles…

Scenting

You can scent taper candles; however, unscented taper candles are preferred. Taper candles are not very good at dispersing smell while they’re burning, and adding fragrance to them is not recommended.

These candles are typically used with mealtimes and are lit to create an aesthetic vibe rather than overpowering the foods’ aroma.

Burn-time

The average burn time of a high-quality taper candle is one hour per inch. A 10-inch taper candle, for example, has a burn time of 10 hours, while a 12-inch taper candle has a burn time of 12 hours.