Lighting a candle is easy. You just need to light the wick with the fire, coming out of the lighter. But what if the candle is burnt down to the point that you no longer can reach it safely with the flame coming out of your lighter? Well, that can be a bit tricky, especially if your hands are too big to reach down the candle jar.
So, in this article, we’ll explain how to use a lighter to light a candle in different situations.
How Do I Use a Lighter to Light a Candle that’s Hard to Reach
As the candle burns more and more, it becomes increasingly difficult to reach it with a lighter flame. So, here’s how you can use a lighter to light a hard-to-reach candle.
Method 1: Hold the Candle Upside Down
You don’t need to be a space scientist to know that the flame of a lighter will always go upwards. That’s why, when you try to use a lighter to light a candle with a wick that’s hard to reach, you risk burning your fingers, since you have to hold the lighter upside down.
You can avoid this simply by holding the candle upside down, instead of the lighter. This way, you can light it with your small pocket-sized lighter without burning your fingers.
Method 2: Adjust the Lighter Flame
But what if the flame coming out of your lighter still can’t reach the wick? Well, if you didn’t know, lighters come with an adjustable nozzle that can increase or decrease the flame height. Locate the nozzle, adjust it to the highest possible setting, and then light the candle holding it upside down.
Note: Remember to adjust the nozzle to the previous settings after you are done. Or, you risk burning yourself accidentally.
Method 3: Use a Long BBQ Lighter
Typically holding the candle upside down and adjusting the lighter flame does the trick. However, if you are someone who regularly faces this, we recommend getting one of those long lighters that people use to light charcoal on a grill or to light their fireplace.
Just angle the lighter and reach the wick of your candle and light it.
Method 4: Use Your Index Finger
If a long lighter or fireplace matches are not an option for you, you should consider different techniques when holding lighters. One such technique is to use your index finger to flick the flint. Flick it and hold it down with your index finger. Now try to reach the wick of the candle with the lighter flame. This will give you a little bit of extra room to light your candle without burning your fingers.
You can apply this trick with matchsticks as well. Just hold the matchstick with the tip of your middle and index finger and light your hard-to-reach candle.
Method 5: Hold The Gas Button with a Rubber Band
Another alternative lighter-holding technique is to use a rubber band to hold down the gas button. To do it, light the lighter and use a rubber band to hold down the gas button. Now hold the bottom end of the lighter and use it as a long matchstick to light a candle with a low wick.
Alternative Ways to Light a Candle
If you still can’t reach that stubborn wick, here are some alternatives for you:
1. Use a Twisted Paper
Tear off a strip of paper and twist it tightly. Remember, the tighter you twist, the longer it burns. Then light its one end and use it to light the candle, by holding down the other end slightly angled.
2. Use a Spaghetti Stick (Uncooked)
If you didn’t know this yet, spaghetti sticks are pretty flammable, when uncooked of course. And they don’t burn that quickly either. So, they’ll give you enough time to reach that unreachable wick. Light one end of the spaghetti stick and use that to light the candle wick.
3. Use a Second Candle
If you have access to those, you can use a log taper candle to light your jar candle. Just use the long candle as a long matchstick.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers – FAQs
Is it safe to burn a low candle?
No. For your own safety, don’t burn a candle all the way down. If your candle is in a container, discontinue burning it when half an inch remains. For pillar candles, the safe limit is about two inches.
How do you increase the light of a candle?
To get a cleaner and lighter burn, trim the wick of your candles to 1/4th of an inch. This will give you more light.
What is the easiest way to light a candle?
The easiest way to light a candle is to hold it upside down. By nature, the flame goes up, so it’s easier to light a candle upside down, holding the wick over the fire.
End Notes
Under normal circumstances, holding your jar candle upside down does the trick. If it’s still unreachable with the flame, try one of the tricks we’ve mentioned above. However, if there isn’t much remaining to it, don’t force it. Throw it away or store it. You can also recycle and reuse it later on.
We hope you found the article helpful. Leave a comment if you have any further queries.
