Write an article based on this "Position a candle vertically on a flat, stable surface. Light candles with a long lighter or long matches. Keep burning candles away from drafts. Trim candle wicks to be 1⁄8 to 1⁄4 in (0.32 to 0.64 cm) tall before each use. Melt the entire top layer of wax during the first burn. Avoid memory rings by allowing the top layer of wax to melt during each burn. Burn candles for a maximum of 4 hours. Consider purchasing a multi-wick candle."
If you place a candle on an uneven surface, the wax will melt in irregular patterns and the flickering flames might give off dark smoke stains. Tapers and pillar candles will drip excessively if they're not totally upright. Most importantly, it's highly unsafe to place a candle on an unstable or angled surface, such as a chair seat or a wobbly table. The surface should also be fire resistant. If you keep the candle level and use a long match or lighter, you'll more easily be able to reach the wick and won't start an uneven burn. Strike a match or engage the lighter, and touch the flame to the wick. As soon as it ignites, remove the lighter or match and extinguish the flame.  If you blow out the match, do this away from the candle flame. With short lighters and matches, it's sometimes necessary to turn the candle sideways to reach the wick. This will cause some flickering and might unevenly melt the wax, leading to an uneven burn. Flickering flames might look pretty, but they don't burn candles evenly. Place your candle in a breeze-free location, away from fans, air conditioning units, open windows, passers-by, and any other source of moving air.  Flickering flames also leave unattractive smoke stains. These are especially noticeable on glass candle jars. This is also a safety precaution. Even a gentle breeze might blow a piece of paper or a curtain corner directly into the flame. Long, uncut wicks often take on a mushroom-like shape. This creates a wide, unstable flame that flickers, gives off smoke, and prevents the candle from burning evenly. Combat this by using a wick trimmer or a pair of scissors to chop the top of the wick off, once the wax has completely cool.  Discard all the wick trimmings and make sure there's no ashy residue left sitting on the wax. Even if there's not much height to trim off, you should trim the wick before every single use to get the most stable flame and the most even burn. Allow poured and pillar candles to burn until the top surface of wax has completely melted. Monitor the progress and don't extinguish the flame until there's about a 1⁄4 in (0.64 cm) ring of melted wax spanning the full diameter of the jar. For a pillar candle, snuff out the flame once you notice the wax pool stops widening and start to sink, snuff out the flame.  This might take several hours, depending on the type and size of the candle. A rule of thumb is that it takes about 1 hour per 1 in (2.5 cm) of the candle's diameter.  For example, if your candle's diameter is 4 in (10 cm) you can expect to burn it for 4 hours the first time. A candle can “remember” how much wax melted during previous burns. The pool of melted wax will continue to get narrower and narrower if you aren't careful, and you'll end up with tunneling. To prevent this, follow the same process as you did during the initial burn. Monitor the candle during every burn session and allow the entire top layer of wax to melt. Monitor the candle's progress continually, and snuff out the flame as soon as you notice the wax has pooled all the way across the top level. Anything beyond 4 hours can cause the wax and fragrance oils to ignite. Follow the candle manufacturer's instructions for maximum burn times. Some candles can only withstand shorter burns. It might seem like more wicks would lead to a quicker burn, but in fact, multiple wicks contribute to slower, more even burns. The wicks are spread out evenly and, in poured candles, they're positioned closer to the edges of the jar. This means that that the wax will burn in a nice even layer and tunneling won't likely occur.  For instance, a 3 in (7.6 cm) diameter candle with 3 wicks will burn longer and more evenly than the same sized candle with only 1 wick. If you discover that the wick is off-center in your 1-wick candle, your chances of an uneven burn are higher. More wicks improve your chances of success.