Flame jumps, flickers, or pops
Jumping flames usually point to moisture or impurities in the wick or fragrance, or a draft. Wooden wicks crackle naturally; cotton wicks should burn steady.
Why this happens
A stable flame needs stable fuel and stable air. Jumping means one of those is unstable: excess fragrance pooling near the wick, water contamination, or a persistent draft. Wooden wicks crackle by design; cotton wicks should burn steady.
Likely causes
- Draft.
- Water contamination in the wax (rare) or in the FO.
- Fragrance load over wax maximum.
- Wick debris from a poor trim.
How to diagnose
- Test in a sealed room with no airflow.
- Inspect wick for fibres or carbon ball.
Change sheet · next batch
Fill in what you know. The change sheet below re-orders so the delta most likely to help your specific batch floats to the top.
Reduce fuel surge into the flame.
Trim debris, move away from vents and open windows.
Excess FO pools at the base and jumps the flame.
Take action
- Visible soot or black smoke
Black trail off the flame, deposits on the vessel.
- Wick mushrooms and carbons up
Carbon ball on the wick tip, sometimes glowing red.