A Glowing Nod to the Good Old Days
October 31, 2025
Source: Amazon
The first use of light was to burn candles made of beeswax. This brought a strong scent to the room and a constant flickering flame. A single example of this type of design is the 80 hour coil candle. These were self extinguishing candles with deep historical origins.
Historical Uses of the Coil Candle
The coil candle has its roots in the courting candle, which was a timekeeping device in the 18th and 19th centuries. Families would melt a certain amount of wax for the candle and when the flame reached the clip the couple had to leave.
Modern versions of the coil candle hold a tightly wound coil of beeswax in a metal base. The wax coils feed into the spring loaded metal clip. Once all of the wax coil is burned the flame will go out once the wax coil hits the clip. You are able to adjust the length of the burn by how much of the wax coil you expose to the flame. Only about 20 minutes of the wax coil is exposed at any given time. This results in a very low maintenance and very energy efficient way to provide light.
How It Works
- Pull up 2-3 inches of wax coil.
- Feed the wax coil through the metal clip.
- Light the wax coil.
- The candle will extinguish itself when the flame reaches the metal clip.
You can adjust how much wax is exposed to the flame to determine how long the candle burns.
Functionality and Decorative Appeal
Coil candles serve both as a means of providing light and as a decorative item. They produce a soft and steady glow, and the coiled shape of the wax produces a visually appealing effect. As they burn, the wax produces a slight, natural scent.
The self-extinguishing nature of the coil candle also makes them safer than standard taper candles. Because the metal base contains the wax coil, you don’t have to worry about leaving a candle burning for a long time. In addition, the metal base lets you easily reuse the wax coil after it burns down to the clip.
Candle Handling Tips
The wax coil may become stiff and brittle if it sits at room temperature for too long or is old. If your wax coil becomes stiff and brittle, try warming it gently without applying heat directly to the wax. Once warmed, your wax coil should be flexible again. Make sure you always keep the candle on a stable surface, and keep an eye on it while it is burning.
A Lasting Glow
The 80 hour coil candle represents the historical function and style of past lighting. Each coil candle provides controlled burn times, and a unique design. In addition, each coil candle gives users a tangible connection to the way people used to manage their light in everyday life. While coil candles are practical in terms of use, their timeless appeal is largely rooted in the fact that they promote a slower, more thoughtful way of living – one wick at a time, and one inch of wax at a time.