Every Alibi candle is 200g of soy wax in an amber glass jar, hand-poured in small batches in Nottingham. Soy burns slower and cooler than paraffin, which is why how you treat the first hour matters.
Statement 01The first burn sets the record
The first time you light the candle, let it burn until the melted wax reaches the full width of the jar, edge to edge. With a 200g candle this usually takes two to three hours. Soy has a memory: if you put it out before the top has melted completely, it will tend to tunnel down the middle on every burn after, wasting the wax around the sides.
Statement 02Trim the wick before every burn
Trim the wick to about 5mm each time, once the wax has set and before you relight. A shorter wick gives a smaller, steadier flame, far less soot, and no black smoke on the glass.
- Too long a wick: a tall, flickering flame, smoke and a sooty jar.
- A trimmed wick: a calm flame and a clean, even throw of scent.
Remove any trimmings or debris from the wax before lighting, so nothing but the wick can catch.
Statement 03Choose the scene carefully
- Stand the candle on a level, heat-resistant surface.
- Keep it away from draughts, which pull the flame about and cause uneven burning and soot.
- Keep it clear of curtains, books, paper and anything else that could catch.
- Keep it out of reach of children and pets, and never leave a lit candle unattended.
Statement 04Keep the burns honest
Burn the candle for no more than about four hours at a time. Beyond that the jar grows hot, the flame can wander and the scent dulls. Let the candle cool and set fully before you relight it, and stop burning once roughly 1cm of wax is left in the base. The glass should never be heated dry.
Statement 05Putting it out cleanly
Use a snuffer, or dip the wick into the melted wax with a tool and then straighten it upright. This avoids the thread of smoke and the spatter of hot wax that blowing a candle out can cause, and it keeps the wick coated and easy to relight. Re-centre the wick while the wax is still soft so the next burn stays even.
Statement 06Storing the evidence
Keep the candle somewhere cool and dark, with the lid on if it has one and away from direct sunlight, which can fade the colour and soften the scent over time. Stored well, it will be ready to give a clean account of itself whenever you next light it.