Taper candles: sizes, holders and how to burn them.

Taper candles are tall, slim candles made for the dinner table, so many people call them dinner candles. They give soft light down a long table without blocking anyone's view across it. That is why they are a favourite for dinners, weddings and restaurants.

What is a taper candle?

A taper candle is long and thin and gets a little narrower towards the top. Most tapers are between 20 and 30 cm tall and about 2 cm wide at the base, so they slot into a candle holder. A few, like our Grand Taper, have their own base and stand without one.

Our taper and dinner candles

• The Classic Taper is a smooth taper, 24 cm tall, or 30 cm in the Tall size. It is about 2.2 cm wide at the base and needs a holder.
• The Ribbed Taper is 20 cm tall and about 2 cm wide, with fine ribs. It needs a holder, and our hand-cast eco resin Splash Holder fits it.
• The Grand Taper is a fluted taper, 20 or 25 cm tall, on its own starburst base, so it needs no holder.
• For a lower light, slim pillars like the Bubble Stack stand on their own and sit well between tapers.

These are moulded candles, made from a natural blend of soy wax, beeswax and a touch of coconut wax, with a cotton wick. We never use paraffin. You can see them together on our dinner candles page.

Which holder fits?

Most taper holders take a base about 2 cm wide. Before the day, put each candle in its holder. It should stand straight and feel firm when you touch it.

• If the candle is loose, press a small piece of soft wax or candle putty into the holder, then push the candle in.
• If the base is a little too wide, dip it in hot water for a minute to soften the wax, then press it gently into the holder. Or shave a thin layer off the base with a sharp knife.
• Choose a holder that is heavy and steady, so it cannot tip over.

How to burn taper candles

• Trim the wick to about 5 mm before you light it.
• Keep tapers out of draughts from open windows, fans and air conditioning. A draught makes the flame lean, and then the candle drips and burns unevenly.
• Keep candles clear of napkins, flowers and table runners. Never leave them burning in an empty room, and blow them out before you leave the table.
• Stop burning when about 5 cm of candle is left above the holder.
• To put a taper out, use a snuffer or blow gently, so the wax does not splash.

There are more tips in our candle care instructions.

Unscented or scented?

For a dinner table, most people choose unscented, so the candle does not compete with the food. Our dinner candles come unscented at the same price, or in one of our scents. Then you choose the wax colour.

Tapers for weddings, restaurants and events

For a long table, set tapers in pairs or small groups down the middle, and add a few lower pillars so the light sits at different heights. For 20 or more pieces, send us an enquiry and we will send you a quote. Plan on about 1 to 3 weeks for our standard colours, and at least 6 weeks for custom colours. We courier across South Africa, or you can collect in Midrand.