# Cheap vs expensive mason-jar-type candles, why difference in burn time? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 29, 2007, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-vs-expensive-mason-jar-type-candles-why-difference-in-burn-time/389935 "2007-01-29T05:26:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Driven\_Snow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ea5d25/32.png) [@Driven\_Snow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Driven_Snow)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2007, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-vs-expensive-mason-jar-type-candles-why-difference-in-burn-time/389935/1 "2007-01-29T05:26:14Z")
So lately I’ve been burning a candle in my office for the nice scent and also it’s cool to watch the flame. Originally I had this one from some expensive place , it lasted for weeks. Finally, it died. Found one that looked the same at the Dollar General, I think it was about 3 dollars. It lasted at most a few days. Burned up really fast. Pretty disappointing. Obviously, there is a difference between expensive candles and the cheap ones. Here is my question: I shop at thrift stores and garage sales a fair bit. You can usually get a big pillar candle or a jar-candle at any thrift store for under 5 bucks…but how would you know if it’s the “good wax” or the cheap dollar-store stuff that will just burn up in no time? I just think it would be cool to know how to judge good, long-burning wax from cheap, fast-burning stuff, if that’s possible. Is there a way to tell without actually lighting it? ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2007, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-vs-expensive-mason-jar-type-candles-why-difference-in-burn-time/389935/2 "2007-01-29T10:10:49Z")
Not sure - but I’ve noted that “9 hour” candles that are sold for use in camping lanterns are much more dense, and compressed possibly. They drip quite a bit less as well. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2007, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-vs-expensive-mason-jar-type-candles-why-difference-in-burn-time/389935/3 "2007-01-29T15:17:44Z")
[QUOTE=Driven Snow] I just think it would be cool to know how to judge good, long-burning wax from cheap, fast-burning stuff, if that’s possible. Is there a way to tell without actually lighting it? [/QUOTE] Check the label on the bottom, it usually has the burn time listed. What I want to know is if there’s a way to tell which candle will burn ‘nicely’ and which one will smoke and cover everything in your house with a thin black film. And not to hijack this thread, but has anyone tried the wooden wick candles? ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2007, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-vs-expensive-mason-jar-type-candles-why-difference-in-burn-time/389935/4 "2007-01-29T23:26:47Z")
[QUOTE=Joey P] Check the label on the bottom, it usually has the burn time listed. What I want to know is if there’s a way to tell which candle will burn ‘nicely’ and which one will smoke and cover everything in your house with a thin black film. And not to hijack this thread, but has anyone tried the wooden wick candles? [/QUOTE] Are you talking about the “crackling wick” candles? If so, yes, I have. The sound is more like static than an actual fireplace, but it’s interesting.