Ask most quality candle suppliers about the average burn time of their products. They will inform you. You'd better to note that this is generally the average burn time under best conditions. Thus always select a candle with an average burn time longer than you need. But for some reason you may buy candles from a supplier that can't supply the average burn time. Then buy a few and before committing to large quantities, burn them yourself.
Types of Candles
However, there are four main types of candles commonly used when dining. They are the next:
Taper Candles
Dinner tapers are sometimes used for larger gatherings. But they are most commonly associated with small romantic dinners at home. Working well, tapers have an elegant refined look. A well made 12 inch long taper candle may burn as long as 7 hours. Tapers require a holder or candelabra, and this may strain the budget when planning an affair. This is the main disadvantage of using them.
 Floating Candles
Floating candles make great additions to your centerpieces. They are also called floaters. Such candles are designed to float upright in water. As they are most popular at weddings and other banquets, you can use them for your restaurant too. It is very nice when they are floating several in a large bowl along with some flower petals. Very often it is happened in this way. This detail reduced risk of fire.
Being available in a wide variety, very large floaters are sometimes used in swimming pools and ponds for outdoor weddings. But if you want to use them in ponds, then they should be anchored away from shore to avoid setting vegetation on fire. By the way, in some areas these are the only type of candles allowed at banquets by law.
Pillar Candles
Pillar candles are most often used in groupings of three or more in varying heights, but sometimes incorporated into floral designs. They should burn right to the bottom. That's why, it is necessary to place them on a fire resistant bas such as glass or mirror.
Votive Candles
This type of candles is most popular in restaurants. Votives are long burning, low-cost candles. Remember that they are not just small pillar candles. A snug fitting glass holder for optimum burn time is what they require. This helps a candle to burn longer. A lack of it will be the reason that 15 hour votive will last as little as 1 hour. And the more snug the holder the better it will burn. Besides, using an oversize holder will reduce the total burn time. These are commonly available in 8, 10, and 15 hour sizes.
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