When I first came across the Spiral Light Candle, advertised as a “next-generation” candle with a two-part burn process, I was immediately intrigued. This candle promises not only a unique burning experience but also boasts extended burn times with a captivating cinnamon bark and clove scent. However, at $30 (including $10 shipping), this candle needed to impress. Here’s my in-depth review after putting it to the test.
Where to Purchase
As of this writing, the best place to purchase this product is direct from the official website, spirallightcandles.com. They offer a variety of sizes and scents.
Unboxing and First Impressions
I chose the medium-sized Spiral Light Candle in “Cinnamon Bark and Clove,” a cozy scent perfect for fall and winter. On first look, it appeared similar to a standard candle, but turning it over revealed a spiral wick that loops around the candle’s edge. This spiral wick is designed to burn for a couple of hours, melting wax into a second wick at the center, creating a secondary candle for longer burn time.
According to the website, this unique design is intended to provide a long-lasting experience in two stages. The top “spiral” burn is supposed to last between 1-3 hours depending on the candle size, while the central candle can supposedly last for 20-40 hours. It’s an interesting concept, but I was curious to see if the performance would live up to these claims.
Testing the Spiral Burn
After setting up my Spiral Light Candle on a plain plate, I lit the spiral wick and set a timer. Immediately, I noticed wax starting to melt and migrate toward the center. Within minutes, I could see a nice layer of melted wax gathering in the middle, ready to feed the second candle. Watching the circular burn pattern was pretty mesmerizing, and it added a nice visual effect to the experience.
The spiral portion burned for just about two hours as expected, creating a small pool of wax in the center. The scent was pleasant—strong enough to notice but not overpowering, with warm, cozy notes that filled the room nicely. After the spiral wick extinguished itself, I let the candle cool overnight, as recommended, to prepare it for the second stage.
The Main Candle Burn: Expectations vs. Reality
The next day, I ignited the large wick in the center to test the extended burn time. Initially, the flame was quite small and smoldered more than I’d anticipated. I wasn’t familiar with wood wicks before, so I contacted the company, who reassured me that this smoldering effect is normal for wood wicks. However, as the hours passed, I encountered a significant issue—tunneling.
Tunneling occurs when only the center of the candle burns down, leaving a wall of unused wax around the edge. With the raised sides already formed from the spiral burn, tunneling seemed almost inevitable. I continued following the four-hour burn limit recommended by the manufacturer, allowing it to cool and then relighting it, but the tunneling remained.
Over the next few days, I continued this burn-and-cool cycle, trying to get the full 30 hours of burn time. While the candle technically reached its advertised burn time, the tunneling issue prevented me from fully enjoying the candle, leaving a lot of wasted wax behind.
Pros and Cons of the Spiral Light Candle
Pros
- Pleasant Scent: The cinnamon bark and clove scent is delightful—warm, cozy, and just the right strength.
- Unique Design: The dual-burn feature is innovative and visually appealing, making for an intriguing burn experience.
- Advertised Burn Time: The candle technically met its stated burn time, with the spiral burn lasting around two hours and the core candle extending to nearly 30 hours.
Cons
- Tunneling Issues: The biggest drawback was the severe tunneling during the main candle burn, which led to a considerable amount of wasted wax.
- Lack of Instructions: There were no detailed instructions on how to prevent tunneling, which could have helped achieve a more even burn.
- Price: At $30 for a single candle (including shipping), the price felt steep, especially with the performance issues.
Final Verdict
In the end, the Spiral Light Candle left me with mixed feelings. I loved the scent and appreciated the creative two-part burn design, but the tunneling and high price made it a tough sell. For those who are curious about unique candle experiences and don’t mind the occasional tunneling, this candle might still be worth trying. However, for traditional candle lovers or those who prioritize efficiency, the Spiral Light Candle may fall short.
If you’ve tried this candle or have tips for preventing tunneling with wood wicks, tell me what you think in the comments below.
Video Review
Watch my full video review below!