How to use an electric candle warmer plate or lamp?

The short answer:

For a plate warmer, just place your candle jar on the flat heating surface, plug in the warmer, and turn it on. The plate gently heats the candle from the bottom, melting the wax evenly to release a subtle, consistent fragrance.

For a lamp-style warmer, position your candle under the halogen bulb, adjust the height if needed, and power it on. The lamp melts the wax from the top, giving off a stronger scent and preserving the candle’s lifespan by melting only the upper layer.

We've covered the different types of candle warmer on the article What is A Candle Warmer.

In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of the most common candle warmer types, compare their features, and help you decide which one best suits your style, budget, and home fragrance goals.

How to Use a Candle Warmer: A Step-by-Step Guide

A candle warmer is an electric device that warms and melts scented candles gently, resulting in no flame, no fume, and refreshing air quality. 

But you must know how to use it the right way for enhanced performance. 

Step 1: Choose The Right Warmer 

Firstly, choose your style of candle warmer based on its size, shape, and design.

Electric warmers basically are two types- plate-style and lamp-style.

For basic candle-warming tasks, a candle warmer plate is perfect. But if you need a decorative item with aesthetic appeal, you should go for a candle warmer lamp.

Another key distinction is that one is bottom-up warmer and the latter is top-down. So, you can pick the style that compliments your setup better.

Step 2: Select An Appropriate Candle

Once you pick your preferred warmer, it's time to select your favorite scented candles. 

Remember, only cupped or jarred candles are recommended to use with an electric warmer.

You shouldn’t put taper candles or candles without a vessel on them.

Also, these warmers heat candle wax slowly instead of burning it. So, high-quality candles with higher wax concentrations are recommended.

Step 3: Place The Warmer On A Flat Surface

In terms of using a candle warmer properly, placement is the key. Whether it's a top-down or bottom-up warmer, put it on a flat, stable surface.

Here are a few things to remember:

• Place the candle warmer on a dry, cool, and heat-resistant surface to prevent tipping or falling. A table with a glass top or loose legs is not recommended. Because an overheated warmer can crack the glass, and loose legs can lead to a broken candle warmer by an accidental tip-over.
• Choose a spacious, well-ventilated setting for warming candles, not only to stop excessive heat buildup but also to spread the fragrance evenly.
• Do you have kids at home? Or any pets? Always keep the candle warmer out of their reach to ensure safety. The warmer could get hot with time to burn the skin a bit.

Step 4: Plug It Into A Power Source

Now, plug the warmer into a safe power outlet. Thankfully, they are energy-efficient and use far less energy than burning candles.

Step 5: Center The Candle Jar

Gently put the candle container in the center of the warmer base. For jarred candles, you must remove their lid first.

Step 6: Turn On The Candle Warmer

Turn the candle warmer on by pressing the power button.

After a few minutes, it will start melting the wax, dispersing a delightful aroma all around.

Step 7: Make Necessary Adjustments

Some candle warmers, however, are designed with advanced features, such as a timer, providing aut-shutoff convenience, allowing you to set the power-on duration.

And some offer an adjustable dimmer with 4 brightness levels to choose from. 

If your candle warmer has similar features, you can make these adjustments based on your preference.

Point to be noted, the intensity of the smell will depend on the brightness level you set. 

The brighter the bulbs, the sooner the wax melts, producing a stronger scent all around. (This feature is available for lamp-style warmers only)

Step 8: Enjoy The Enchanting Aroma

Done with all the steps above? It's time to sit back and relax!

Enjoy the inviting glow and refreshing fragrance produced by your favorite scented candle without fearing burning your home.

A candle warmer heats the candle wax evenly, filling every corner of your home with a pleasant aroma without any flickering flame.

Step 9: Get Rid of The Wax When It Stops Smelling

When the melted wax layer doesn’t produce any aroma, you should get rid of it to let the heat reach the next layer. 

Here is the easiest way to do so:

• Turn off the candle warmer
• Let the candle jar cool down
• Put the jat in the freezer overnight
• The next morning, flip it upside down and scrape off the shrunk wax with a spoon/knife

Again, this method works for lamp warmers only. Candle warmer plates melt the entire jar of wax into liquid, burning all its fragrance altogether. 

Some Pro Tips to Optimize Candle Warmer Performance 

Thanks to its flame-free feature, a candle warmer is far safer than a lit candle. It's indeed, a revolutionary solution for creating a calm and cozy atmosphere around your home.

However, you can increase an electric  warmer's efficiency by following some tricks as follows:

• Experiment with several candle scents to find your favorite fragrance.
• Keep the candle warmer in the center of your setup. This will distribute the smell evenly.
• To create a dreamy and relaxing environment, choose the brightness level that goes with your setting.
• You should let the candle cool down before further use. This will retain its smell longer.

How to Maintain a Candle Warmer for a Long Time 

A candle warmer/wax melter, like any electric device, needs proper care and maintenance to deliver optimal performance. Here's how you can maximize its longevity-

Cleaning 

You should always keep the warmer dry and clean. Once the candle wax cools down, remove it from the device, wipe the surface with a soft cloth/paper towel, and store it in a dry place when it's out of use.

Usage and Maintenance

Candle warmer maintenance primarily depends on checking the manufacturer’s guide thoroughly. 

You should plug it into a safe power outlet, as recommended by the makers. 

However, other components like bulbs, power cords, pins, power-on buttons, etc. should be under regular observation to detect any sign of damage.

Most importantly, don't use the warmer for a long time without breaks. Most warmers get overheated after 4 hours of continuous use, which affects their longevity and performance. 

Thankfully, our exclusive Mickey Mouse Warmer Lamp can withstand a much longer time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

As we are discussing how to use a candle warmer most effectively, there are some common mistakes you should be aware of.

Firstly, don't use scented oils or wax melts with an electric warmer to eliminate potential risks.

And secondly, avoid using a candle that's too large for the warmer, it will cause ineffective melting, resulting in inconsistent fragrance flow.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you got a clear view on how to use a candle warmer properly to enhance its performance. 

Alongside a regular functional device, it's also a nice decorative element to adorn your home. Plus it offers a safer, cleaner, and cost-effective way to explore candle magic.

However, you must pick the right warmer, use it safely, and maintain its efficiency with proper care and attention. 

Need any recommendations? Featuring a classic Disney touch, this Mickey-Mouse candle warmer lamp is definitely worth trying.

FAQs

How long should you leave a candle warmer on?

The average run time for most candle warmers without overheating is 4 hours, while some exclusive models like our Mickey mouse candle warmer can run 8+ hours without breaks. 

However, we don't recommend leaving them ON for more than 8 hours.

Is it better to burn a candle or use a warmer?

Between candle warmer vs burning, it's always safer to go for the first option. With no exposed flame, there’s no potential risk of fire hazards, black smoke, or rogue soot.

Is it safe to leave a candle warmer on?

For most candle warmers, leaving the unit on indefinitely could be dangerous, resulting in overheating and wire damage. 

Though ours one has never been subjected to heat damage, we still don’t recommend keeping it on for a long time.

Do candle warmers evaporate wax?

Unlike a burning candle, a candle warmer doesn’t evaporate wax. Rather it melts them to disperse a delightful aroma. Even after the smell disappears, the wax is still there.

Can you use essential oil with a candle warmer?

Yes, you can but it's not recommended. Though it's a good way to enhance the candle scent, heating essential oils can make it overpowering, causing headaches and nausea in the long run.