Everyone loves the warm glow of their favorite scented candle, but not everyone wants the open flame. Plus, there’s always that pesky last bit of perfectly good scented wax left behind after the candle wick burns all the way down. If these grumblings sound familiar, you might like to try a candle lamp or candle warmer: a candle alternative that gets you all the fragrance without the flame.
Similar to lighting candles, these fragrance warmers use gentle electric heat to liquefy a candle's wax. This appeals to candle lovers who don’t want to light fires and those who want to enjoy their favorite candle scents for longer periods than may be considered safe.
Candle warmers come in multiple styles, from simple plate warmers to elaborate lamp-style designs, catering to different preferences and decor.
Allow me to detail what candle warmers are, the different types available, and why you might (or might not) want to try one.
Types of Candle Warmers
Each candle warmer type has different features:
Candle warmer lamps (aka illumination warmers) combine the functionality of a candle warmer with the look of a lamp. A warming incandescent or halogen bulb positioned above the candle melts the wax from the top (much like the traditional candle-burning process) while also offering ambient lighting (also similar to a lit candle). These can be used for large candles or smaller candles, or with wax melts placed in a heatproof dish.
Plate candle warmers have a heated flat surface on which you can put a candle jar or dish of wax melts. Many wax warmers (aka wax melters) include a removable dish on top of the plate warmer for melting scented wax cubes. This versatile type of candle warmer can melt a container candle or wax melts. However, the warming plate may not fit some larger container candles.
How To Use a Candle Warmer
Candle lamps and warmers use heat to melt candle wax or wax melts and release their fragrance. Here's how to use one:
- Plug in your electric candle warmer.
- Place your jar candle on the warming plate or under the warming bulb, or place your wax melts in the warming dish. For jar candles, make sure the candle size fits the warmer properly.
- Turn on the candle warmer by switching on the warmer lamp or warming plate.
- The heat will slowly melt the candle wax or wax melts, releasing scented oils into the air and filling your space with fragrance.
- When you turn off the warmer, the melted wax will gradually cool and solidify, ready for the next use.
What Are the Benefits of a Candle Warmer?
So, why might someone prefer to use a candle warmer instead of just burning a candle? Here’s a breakdown to help you decide if you’d enjoy having one:
- Safety: Candle warmers eliminate the risk of an open flame, making them a safer alternative to traditional candles. This is helpful if you live somewhere that doesn’t allow lit candles, if you worry about leaving them lit unattended or overnight, or if you have kids or pets who might mess with your candles.
- Scent longevity: They allow you to enjoy your favorite candle scent for longer periods without worrying about burning a candle for too long (which can create soot, or worse — a fire hazard.)
- Consistent fragrance: Candle warmers provide a more even and consistent scent throw compared to burning candles. They melt the candle surface evenly (no worries about candle tunneling), and since there's no flame igniting the fragrance, you get a pure-smelling scent with no soot.
- Versatility: They can be used to melt jar candles and warm wax melts, offering flexible fragrance options. Plus, you don’t have to wait for the melt pool to reach the edge of the container to prevent tunneling like you do with a candle; you can leave a warmer on for as little or as long as you like.
- More light: Candle warmer lamps can provide a brighter glow than that of a lit candle.
The main downside to candle warmers and candle lamps is based on personal preference. Some candle lovers miss the flickering flame of a candle wick and natural ambiance of traditional candles. Candle warmers also need an electrical power source, so they’re not much help during power outage.
Other than that, they’re pretty handy — especially when you burn down your favorite container candle to that last quarter-inch of wax, and you’d hate to throw away all those hours of scent. Just pop it on or under your candle warmer, and you could get a couple more days out of it!
The Lit-Candle Difference
While candle warmers can be lovely, they don’t hold a candle to their traditional counterparts in some ways. Real candles are unmatched in their flickering flame’s cozy atmosphere. For many candle lovers, the ritual of lighting candles and enjoying the flame is part of the appeal, and a candle warmer can’t fully replicate that experience.
Which Is Better?
So, is it better to light a candle or use a candle warmer? It depends on what you’re into. If safety and timing are your main concerns, a candle warmer is a great choice. But if you can keep an eye on your lit candles and always follow the warning label instructions (you do, right?), candles might be more your thing.
But why choose? Plenty of scent enthusiasts use both. For instance you could try warmers for every day, all-day fragrance and save the ritual of burning candles for evenings or special occasions.
Candle Warmers: A Bright Idea
Candle warmers and wax warmers have carved out a niche in home fragrance for a good reason. They provide a safe, efficient way to enjoy your favorite scents without an open flame or concerns about timing.
As you weigh the pros and cons of adding one to your space, remember that the quality of your candles and wax melts is key to the safest, most enjoyable scent experience. For the best selection of candles and wax melts, visit The Glow Co. I use nontoxic scents, rainforest-friendly soy, reusable glassware, and minimal, plastic-free packaging for clean, eco-friendly home scents you’ll feel good about.