How to Burn Candles Outside

If you’re like us, you love the warm glow of beeswax lighting up your dinner table. In the summer months, you may be setting the table on the patio or out in the garden for an intimate dinner party or farm-to-table feast, and nothing completes a gorgeous summer tablescape like the nature-made touch of beeswax. While burning your favorite beeswax candles can add an unforgettable ambiance to your summer entertaining, there are also important tips and tricks to remember when burning candles outdoors to ensure the safety of your environment and to maximize the burn time of your candles.

Tips for Burning Candles Outdoors

1. Protect the Candle from Wind and Summer Breezes

Opt for sturdy, heavily weighted, candle holders that can withstand outdoor breezes, and won’t be in danger of falling over. Glass hurricanes or metal lanterns are excellent choices and provide protection from wind while maintaining elegance. Be sure to use a hurricane glass that leaves at least 2” of space around the candle. You’ll also need to make sure to secure tablecloths so that edges can’t be blown onto the table.

We recommend burning candles already made in glass vessels like our Beeswax Sanctuary Glass Candles, Garden Party Glass Candles, or our Beeswax Apothecary Aromatherapy Glass Candles. While all candles may struggle to burn evenly in breezy conditions, these may perform better than a taper or pillar if no hurricane or lantern is used. You can also find artisan-style votive candle holders on our Accessories page to safely burn our Beeswax Votives or Citronella Votives outside. Or you may choose to wait for the still nights of summer to enjoy the ambiance of candle-light outdoors with less worry about flame flickering. At minimum we recommend burning all candles on a dish or plate to protect surfaces from any wax drips or heat damage.

2. Fire Safety

Never leave burning candles unattended and be sure to keep lit candles away from children and pets! Similar to burning candles indoors, position candles at a safe distance away from flammable materials such foliage or table decor. Placing them strategically on your table ensures both safety and optimal ambiance and burn time. If you’re using a match to light your candles, never toss matches to the ground after lighting, always dispose safely. Be sure to also take extra precautions if using candles outdoors in dry areas.

After the memories are made around the table and it’s time to clean up, be sure that the first thing you do is extinguish all burning candles on the table. It is best to avoid carrying lit candles or candles with molten wax. If you choose to move lit candles take precautions to protect your hands and body from heat and spills. Remember: glassware and candleholders may be hot to touch, and molten wax can easily splash and drip.

3. Longevity & Burning Efficiently

To help ensure you get the optimum burn time and a quality burn, there are a few tricks you can use outdoors. If there is a slight breeze and the flame is flickering and blowing in one direction, you can periodically rotate the candle to encourage an even burn. If a breeze has caused the candle to drip, you may want to consider extinguishing it. Drips cause the candle to lose wax, and therefore fuel, diminishing burn time. If extinguished before too much wax has leaked, you can patch the hole and save the candle.

The duration of your outdoor event may be shorter than the minimum recommended burn time for a particular candle, in this case you may want to start your candles and get them going before the event or plan for letting them burn after. Again, make sure lit candles aren’t left unattended. After the event is over make sure to bring candles indoors to protect them from humidity, sun, and rain damage.

Choosing the Right Candles for Outdoor Use

Wondering if some candles are better to use outdoors than others? At Big Dipper Wax Works, our collection of Citronella Candles are specifically made for the outdoors with all natural essential oils to keep bugs away without harsh chemicals. The majority of our Beeswax Candles are mostly designed for indoor use, however most of our Glassware Candles can be burned outdoors with the proper care (see above). Here are some of our recommendations for dressing up your outdoor dinner table:

Citronella Candles: Our Citronella Candles are our unique blend of beeswax, soy wax, and essential oils made to provide an all-natural bug repellent so you can enjoy summer nights out on the porch without pesky bugs and without harming the environment.

Garden Party Collection Glasses: Our Garden Party Collection Glasses are made from 100% pure beeswax and 100% pure essential oils for a clean burn that has a light scent of your favorite blooms from the garden. These candles are perfect for adding a touch of color and ambiance to your dinner table without any overpowering scents.

Beeswax Sanctuary Glass Candles: Our Sanctuary Glass candles are available in both Pure Beeswax and our signature Aromatherapy options. The tall style of the glass provides a perfect hurricane-like container that keeps the flame steady even in the evening summer breeze.

Beeswax Tea Lights: It’s the small details that make all the difference! Our Tea Lights are made of 100% pure beeswax and provide a cozy, intimate ambiance to any occasion.

For the full list of our recommended candles for a dinner under the summer stars, take a look at our Summer Entertaining Collection.

Keeping the Environment Healthy

Beyond a cozy ambiance and setting the tone for your summer entertaining, our dedication to sustainability also makes all the difference when it comes to choosing what candles to burn. At Big Dipper Wax Works, our beeswax is sourced from only sustainable beekeeping farms to ensure the health and well-being of the bees and our ecosystem. Burning naturally filtered beeswax has a multitude of benefits for both you and the environment, whether indoors or outdoors.

With Big Dipper Wax Works' Beeswax Candles, you not only enhance your outdoor ambiance but also embrace sustainability and luxury in harmony. Whether you're hosting a candlelit, intimate dinner or a serene evening under the stars, our candles illuminate more than just your space—they illuminate moments of connection, joy, and appreciation for nature's beauty.