How to choose a candle holder: what to consider

A candle holder keeps a flame upright and steady, and then stays on the table when the candle is gone. These are the things worth settling before you choose one. The numbers are common rules of thumb, not fixed rules.

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Fit to the candle

Taper, pillar, tealight and votive candles need different holders. Decide which you will burn before you choose.
Taper candles vary in thickness between makers and countries, commonly around 2.0-2.4 cm. A candle that is too thin wobbles and one that is too thick will not fit, so check the socket's diameter against your candles.
A holder designed for several candles (a candelabra, a row or a set) changes the whole table, so check the total height and spread.

Stability

A wide or weighted base keeps a holder upright; tall, slim holders tip more easily. Take extra care around children, pets and busy tables.
A holder for a hanging or wall position needs fixings suited to the wall and the weight.

Heat and surfaces

Use a candle on a level, heat-resistant surface. Wood, fabric, paper and plastic nearby can catch fire.
Thin glass can crack when heated unevenly; use glass that is made to hold a candle.
Wooden holders should have a metal, glass or ceramic cup or insert where the flame sits.

Safe use

Never leave a burning candle unattended, and put it out before you leave the room or go to sleep.
Keep candles well clear of curtains, decorations and anything that can burn, and out of draughts.
Trim the wick short before lighting.

Materials and care

Metals such as brass and iron can darken or tarnish; coated metals can chip.
Glass and ceramic wipe clean. To remove wax, let it harden (for example in a cool place) and lift it off rather than scraping hard; avoid pouring boiling water into glass.
Wood and untreated stone can stain from wax.

Outdoors and wind

For outdoors or a windy porch, look for a lantern or a holder with a windshield, and one made for weather.

Questions worth asking the maker

Which candles does it take, and what is the socket's diameter? What is the base size and weight? Is the cup or insert replaceable? How should it be cleaned?

Sources and further reading

A label covers one aspect of a product, such as where the wood came from or which chemicals are in a textile, not its whole footprint. These pages explain what each covers; they are not endorsements, and Formground does not rate products.

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