How to care for your candle

Candles are not complicated.

There are really only a few things worth knowing.

THE FIRST BURN

The first one matters.

Let the candle burn until the melted wax reaches the edges of the vessel. Usually somewhere between two and four hours.

If you extinguish it too soon, the candle can begin to burn down through the middle, leaving perfectly good wax around the outside.

Which is annoying.

So the first time you light it, give it time.

TRIM THE WICK (BUT NOT TOO SHORT)

Before each burn, check the wick.

FORM 01 burns best with a wick of around 1cm. If it has become longer, or there is a build-up at the tip, trim it back.

That may be longer than the advice you've seen for other candles, but we've found it gives FORM 01 the best, most even burn and helps the melted wax reach the edges of the vessel.

Remove any loose bits of wick or match from the wax while you're there.

That's really all the maintenance it needs.

DON'T PUT IT IN A DRAUGHT

Candles burn best somewhere still.

Open windows, fans and strong draughts can make the flame move around and the wax burn unevenly.

And the obvious bit: never leave a lit candle unattended, and keep it away from children, pets and anything likely to catch fire.

WHEN IT'S NEARLY FINISHED

Don't burn it right to the bottom.

When around 5–10mm of wax remains, extinguish the flame and allow everything to cool.

With most candles, this is the point at which the whole thing gets thrown away.

With FORM 01, it is simply the point at which you begin again.

Half fill a heatproof bowl with hot {not boiling} water and stand FORM 01 in it.

Once the outer edge of the remaining wax begins to soften, gently press at the edge and lift the old wax out.

Wipe away any residue with a paper towel, wash the vessel in warm soapy water and dry it thoroughly.

Then drop in a new Continuation.

Light it.

And carry on.

Because the wax was always supposed to run out.

The vessel wasn't.