Burn Time

• Soy wax burns slower than paraffin and beeswax. If you're burning a jar candle, let it burn until the entire top is liquid. With a votive candle, most of the top should be liquid or the edges melted down the sides. This will require approximately one hour of burn time for each inch in diameter. For example, if you have a 3-inch-wide candle, then you'll need three hours to completely melt off the top.
  
  

Wick

• Since soy wax requires more time to burn, it needs a sufficient wick. Not only does it need to be the appropriate length, but it must not contain a core. A core, such as cotton or zinc, will speed a wick's burn time. This will put more heat on the wax nearest the wick and create a tighter tunnel. For the slowest wick burning time, try a braided wick.
  
  

Burnt Wick

• It is important to trim wicks before burning. Wicks with burnt tips create flares that increase heat and speed a wick's burn time. Flares throw the heat of the flame unevenly across, or away from, the candle. This means a burnt wick could increase the amount of burn time for the candle.
  
  

Soy Blends

• To decrease burn time while still enjoying a soy candle, consider a soy blend. Soy blended candles melt off softer wax. For candle makers, this is a benefit because soy wax is much less malleable. Sometimes called "parasoy," a blend of paraffin and soy is optimum for clean burn and scent retention.