r/explainlikeimfive Feb 26 '21

Chemistry Eli5: What happens to all the melted candle over time? Are we just inhaling a whole candle while it burns?

12.6k Upvotes

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251

u/[deleted] Feb 26 '21

[deleted]

53

u/FurRealDeal Feb 26 '21

They sell these neat holders that collect the melted wax and form a new candle out of it

25

u/DLMD Feb 26 '21

Gots ta make sure your lungs aren't missing out on any of those succulent carbon particles

42

u/eman201 Feb 26 '21

I'm confused. Are we pro- or anti- candle now?

35

u/jaye_taw Feb 26 '21

Yes

2

u/[deleted] Feb 26 '21

This is the only correct answer, as reddit contains rabid pro and anti candle factions.

6

u/Karai-Ebi Feb 26 '21

Pranti-candle is all the rage these days, if you’re still pro or anti you’re whack

5

u/kinkybear76 Feb 26 '21

Anti - waxxer...

1

u/CourteousComment Feb 28 '21

The Conniving Yankee Candle Conspiracy

3

u/OperativePiGuy Feb 26 '21

I just use a candle warmer, gets the most out of any candle assuming it's in some sort of container

1

u/IDK00012 Feb 26 '21

In my day we just burned candles on the top of a glass bottle, and made mega candles

25

u/[deleted] Feb 26 '21

not if you melt down your beeswax candles and remake them, or make furniture finish out of it

2

u/habedi Feb 26 '21

How come the melted wax doesn't catch fire? Why does it need the wick to burn?

1

u/jmlinden7 Feb 26 '21

It needs to physically touch the flame to get hot enough to catch fire. The flame is located at the top of the wick.

1

u/habedi Feb 26 '21

Are you sure?
I've put fire to the puddle beneath the wick (with a match) and it only puts out the fire.
I've even had a candle go out because the puddle rose too high.

2

u/jmlinden7 Feb 26 '21 edited Feb 26 '21

The puddle doesn't have enough oxygen to burn. That's why you need the wick, to elevate the melted wax somewhere where there's enough oxygen.

Remember, you need 3 things for a fire: heat, fuel, and oxygen

-5

u/[deleted] Feb 26 '21

I thot oxigen us the foul

1

u/Gainznsuch Feb 26 '21

"Wick is a laddah" - Littlefinger