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How can candles burn for so long, what sorcery is this?
(lemmy.world)
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this post was submitted on 13 Feb 2026
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No Stupid Questions
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You missed that the wax only "boils" (I would have said vaporizes, but as you said, boils is close enough) at the center of the flame where it is drawn up by the wick. Otherwise, this is correct.
Fun bonus detail, visible flames are usually burning gas. Burning solids look like hot embers. The flames from a wood fire are usually burning smoke. You can actually re-light a candle by smothering the flame and quickly lighting it's smoke tail on fire.
Yes to all this but if you don't want any smoke, use the unburned end of the same match you previously lit the candle with to quickly push the wick tip down into the pool of wax to extinguish it. Lift it right back up again while the wax is still melted so it's ready to light later.