Candles
Candles are a popular alternative to electrical lighting in the catering trade as well as in the private household, as they also provide a particularly warm and calm atmosphere in addition to their light-emitting function. In gastronomy, candle lighting is also a matter of economics: How expensive are they? How long is the burning time which also means: how often do the candles on the guest tables have to be replaced by the staff?
This is not the only reason why candles are available in various shapes, each with different sizes and burning times. The selection is always a question of style, as well as being influenced by the environment (inside or outside) or possibly the available space. Below you will find an overview of the different candle shapes and their respective properties.
TEALIGHTS
The tealight got its name because it is designed, among other things, to keep teapots hot. However, tea lights are also a popular way of providing light and perceived warmth at home or in gastronomic establishments e.g. on the guest table, especially because of their affordable price. The small, wide and flat candles are surrounded by a bowl usually made of aluminum. Due to its good thermal conductivity, the entire wax liquefies after a short burning time and can therefore burn off completely. Hence, the wick stays upright even as the candle continues to burn down and is fixed at the bottom in a so-called wick holder.
Tea lights are available in different sizes and diameters. Small tea lights often have a burning time of around 4 hours and usually have to be replaced during the shift in professional operation. Therefore, we also carry larger tea lights with a burning time of 8 hours and maxi tea lights with a burning time of 10 hours. These ensure constant lighting in your catering business and thus relieve the staff. Since tea lights that have not completely burned out can be lit again without any problems, there is no disadvantage.
Due to the strong heating of the bowl, tea lights should always be used in special holders, lamps or at least on fireproof and heat-dissipating bases with sufficient stability. When purchasing tea light holders, please note the different diameters of different tea lights!
PERMANENT CANDLES (24 HOURS)
Permanent candles are the next biggest alternative to tea lights. These candles have a burning time of 24 hours; they burn all day and all night, provided they are not extinguished in between. Long burning candles come in plastic bowls made of either red-transparent or transparent plastic. Unlike tealights, you don't necessarily need a holder or lamp and also a pad is optional. However, it should be noted that our permanent candles from Bolsius are only approved for outdoor use!
FANCY LIGHTS & LOWBOY CANDLES (70 HRS)
These candles are two different products from the works of the renowned illuminant manufacturer Bolsius. Both have a very long burn time of around 70 hours and under optimal conditions, they can burn for almost 3 full days and nights in a row. The color variety is also common to both candle types; Both Fancy Lights and Lowboy candles are available in different colors, which provides variety and also allows you to adapt the lighting individually to your own wishes and your establishment.
The main difference between Fancy Lights and Lowboy is the material of the container: Fancy Lights candles are made of plastic, while Lowboy candles are housed in glass containers. The difference in price is small, which is why the selection of the material is a question of taste and various other factors. For example, glass candles can break if they fall and become a safety hazard. On the other hand, they usually give a more valuable impression due to their higher weight. In addition, Lowboys are also approved for indoor use, while Fancy Lights as terrace candles are only suitable for outdoor use.
HOUSEHOLD CANDLES
Household or table candles are elongated candles that are rather narrow compared to other candles. In contrast to thicker pillar candles, which are usually placed in lamps or on a platter, the use of table candles requires suitable candle holders.
Important: When purchasing candle holders, it is important to note the different diameters of the candles so that they stand securely in the holders and cannot accidentally fall out and become a dangerous hazard. In our shop you will find household candles with a diameter of 22.2 or 24.5 mm.
Table candles are particularly common on guest tables in restaurants and are therefore often associated with the typical candle light dinner environment.
PILLAR CANDLES
Pillar candles are smaller and thicker than household candles - they probably owe their name to their pillar-like shape. In contrast to table candles, they can stand upright on their own which makes a candlestick obsolete. In addition to the use of lamps, the use of fireproof bases or candle plates is recommended.
Pillar candles are available in our shop in various sizes, thicknesses and therefore burning times vary between 19, 22 and 50 hours. In addition to white ones, there are also ivory-colored versions.
