The first burn matters most

Candles have a memory. The first time you light one, the wax melts outward from the wick, and wherever it reaches becomes a kind of edge. Burn it for thirty minutes and put it out, and it will only ever melt that thirty-minute circle again. The rest will tunnel.

Our rule of thumb: the first burn should be long enough for the wax to melt all the way to the edge of the jar. For most of our candles, that is two to three hours. Light it on a slow afternoon. Read something. Make tea.

After that first pour, you can light it for as long or as little as you like. The candle now knows itself.