With scented candles being the rage all over the world, there are two types of candle connoisseurs – those who prefer candles that drip and others who like their candles to be dripless. The former group likes the aesthetic of a drip candle whereas the latter group prefers dripless candles without the messy look.
Have you ever wondered about “Which candles drip the most and which ones are dripless?”
The short answer to the question of whether the candle drips or not depends on the type of wax used as well as the type of wick. Both these factors determine how hot the flame can become and therefore play an important role when it comes to melting the wax.
Let’s dive into the fascinating world of candles and see why some of them drip more than others.
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What Candles Drip the Most & Which Ones are Dripless?
To understand why some candles drip more than others, it is important to know what candles are made out of. In the early 19th century, candles were made mostly from tallow, which is animal fat.
Over time, paraffin wax candles became the rage as they were readily available as a petroleum byproduct. Then came along a big breakthrough in the form of stearic acid which made the paraffin wax harder and easier to manage.
Today, the reason why some candles drip and others don’t is due to the type of wax and wick used in the candle. A wax that has a lower melting point will undoubtedly melt faster than that which has a higher melting point. The intensity of the flame can be greatly influenced by the type of wick also.
So if the wick can cause a stronger burn, then as long as the wax has a low melting point, you will see it dripping a lot down the sides of the candle.
It is important to note that dripless candles do drip but not at the same rate. If you tilt a dripless candle to the side, the melted wax will surely drip down the sides. However, you won’t have to worry about wax residue forming on the sides.
These dripless candles contain a high amount of stearic acid, which increases the melting point of the wax. In these candles, the melted wax is present at the base of the wick. Moreover, these candles also come with a thicker wick that absorbs more wax and therefore reduces the melted wax buildup.
Why Do Dripless Candles Drip Sometimes?
If you do notice that your dripless candle is dripping more than usual, it might be due to two reasons:
- The candle may not be sitting straight in the holder. If the candle is slightly tilted, the melted wax will drip down the side over time. This is because while the candle may be tilted, the wick will be upright and so one side of the candle (closest to the wick) will be hotter than the other.
- If the candle is kept in a room where there is a draft, then it won’t be able to burn evenly and will again lead to the wax dripping.
Top 3 Candles That Drip the Most
While a drip candle may sound messy and therefore unappealing, it can add a lot to the ambiance. Drip candles are usually bought in multicolor packs so that when they drip, they create beautiful colored layers stacked on top of each other.
The 3 best candles that drip the most are:
- Candlestock Drip Candles
- General Wax & Candle Colored Drip Candles
- Spirit of Equinox Gothic/Halloween Drip Candles
Let’s take a deeper look into these candles that drip the most.
1) Candlestock Drip Candle Pack 25 – Best Affordable Colored Drip Candle
These come in a wide variety of single-color candles. You get to choose from 5 different single colors including black and white as well as a multicolored pack, allowing you to customize the color drips as per your wishes.
With a burn time of 20 to 30 minutes, you can buy multiple sets of different colors and customize the way the colored wax gets formed. Moreover, these candles also glow under black light making them perfect for parties and other celebratory gatherings.
They come in a pack of 25 candles at a very moderate price, which makes each candle a little over a dollar each. However, they are high-quality candles and form amazing colored formations when melted, making them worth the price.
If you’re interested, check the price on Amazon!
2) General Wax & Candle 8-Pack Color Drip Candles – Best Multi-Colored Drip Candle
These multicolored drip candles are a delight for those who love using candles on wine bottles. Once the wax melts and hardens, you get to see a wonderful display of multicolored wax spreading out towards the bottom of the bottle.
The beautiful thing about these candles is that every time they melt, you will get to see different designs and shapes emerge, making for a visual treat every single time. The candles themselves are a bit thicker than most wine bottle openings but all it takes is a little bit of trimming to get them to fit.
It is important to note that the burn time plays an important role in getting a different look every time. The pack comes with a total of 8 candles and cost about half as much as the previous option. These are a good choice for special occasions.
If you’re interested, check the price on Amazon!
3) Spirit of Equinox Gothic/Halloween Drip Candles – Best Unique Drip Candles for Gothic/Halloween Parties
If you are looking for something out of the ordinary and are willing to splurge on some visually striking drip candles, then you might love these. They come only in black but the melted wax is burgundy or dark red making it look like the candle is bleeding.
They are perfect for Halloween or themed parties and will surely serve as a great conversation starter between guests. They also drip a lot more than other candles which are perfect if you love drip candles but you may burn through them quite quickly.
They are expensive though as you pay the same as the previous candle but get half as many candles. However, they do provide a very unique visual effect that a lot of people may not have seen before.
If you’re interested, check the price on Amazon!
Top 3 Dripless Candles
Dripless candles are for those who don’t prefer the messy aspect of drip candles. They don’t drip unless the candle is tilted, causing the melted wax to flow down. They are also generally more expensive than drip candles, especially in the high-end range.
The 3 best dripless candles are:
- BOLSIUS Long Household Ivory Taper candles
- XIANGZHU Pure Beeswax Candles
- BOLSIUS Ivory Pillar Candles
Let’s look into these dripless candles a bit more.
1) BOLSIUS Ivory Taper Candles – Best Affordable Traditional Ivory Dripless Candles
These are traditional-looking ivory candles that give off a certain elegant vibe and are created from 100 percent paraffin wax and cotton wicks. Each candlestick is 10 inches long and can burn up to 7.5 hours giving you a lot of value for your money.
They are also smoke-free and dripless allowing you to have a clean and consistent flame throughout. Do note that if you leave the candle near an open window, it may drip due to incoming wind. The melted wax burns very quickly which ensures that it won’t overflow from the top puddle.
One unique aspect about these candles is that they have a subtle fragrance in the box but are odorless when burned. They also fit most candle handlers pretty easily without any hassles. With 30 candles in a single pack, each candle will come to about $1, give or take, making it quite affordable. Do note that each of them can burn for 7.5 hours too. So you get a lot of value per candle in this pack.
If you’re interested, check the price on Amazon!
2) XIANGZHU Beeswax Candles – Best All Natural Dripless Candles
These come with multiple color options and therefore can be used for both formal and informal gatherings. They are also made out of 100 percent beeswax making them all-natural and environmentally friendly.
With no toxic components such as lead, they can be used without worry even if you have kids in your house. Each candlestick measures about 9 inches tall and can fit in ¾ and 7/8 candle holders making them quite versatile when it comes to usage.
With a burning time of 3.5 hours and no smoke, they are perfect for use indoors and you can mix and match the colored ones as per the ambiance you have in mind. This comes with 14 candles high quality candles and the price reflects the quality.
If you’re interested, check the price on Amazon!
3) BOLSIUS 3×6 Dripless Candles – Best Premium Dripless Candles for Formal Events
If you have a big celebratory event coming up, then having thin candles might not be enough as they don’t help to set up an ambiance as much as thicker candles do. All the candles in this pack are 3 inches wide and 6 inches tall making them perfect for weddings and parties.
These votive candles are lead-free and come with high-quality wax and a cotton wick with an amazing 65 hour burn time. They are also dripless and smokeless and can be used safely on a variety of surfaces. While you can’t fit them in any candle holder, they sure do help set up an elegant and sophisticated ambiance.
The pack comes with 6 candles and a price hefty price tag, making these candles a premium choice. However, do keep in mind that while the upfront price is on the expensive side, they do last for 65 hours. So in the long run, you do get your money’s worth.
If you’re interested, check the price on Amazon!
Conclusion
A dripless candle is just a candle that burns more slowly and usually has a thicker wick. This gives the wax more time to evaporate before it builds up to the point of dripping over the sides.
A dripless candle sometimes still drips if, for whatever reason, it doesn’t burn correctly. This could be caused by a draft in the room, or the candle not sitting flat.