Thread: Wooden candle holders?

It would be as safe as candles are, ie if you let them burn down completely they pose a fire danger, but shouldn't be of concern. Finish on the timber is of little difference too from fire perspective anyway, so it is up to you and your taste, from an oil to a lacquer. Personally I like sanding to 1200 then a danish oil or similar for cedar.

This issue came up several years ago, when the local club made up sample "show bags" as a fund raiser, and again when I was asked to supply some to a gift shop. I checked with the ACCC after reading a "candle holder ban" notice just prior to Christmas 2011... the answer I received was

"The issue you have raised relates to a material (wood) which may well burn over time, however in the context of a candle and a candle holder product, is not likely to be regarded as 'combustible'.

The ban refers to holders that combust, (which ignite or are inflammable) - that is, the candle burns down to such a level in the normal use of the product, that the heat from it is capable of igniting the material and keeping the flame burning continuously for five or more seconds. Wooden candle holders, especially those fitted with non combustible candle cups, are not likely to have the requisite combustibility, by igniting the material and it staying alight via the candle when it is used in the way it was designed, and thus would be unlikely to be captured by the ban."

If you look around you'll find that many woodturning suppliers stock standard sized Candle Cups for just this purpose.

Pop's Shed
Jim Carroll

For tealight candles it's a bit harder. Once I pretty much thought "don't need 'em... they come in their own cup anyway" until I discovered huge bags of 'em in the local $2 shop without the little ally cups.

Tea lights generally have metal cups that they come in. Although you can get some that are just the wax. Also most big fat candles have wicks that don't go all the way to the bottom so they won't burn completely down anyway. Taper candle wicks do go the the bottom, but its easy to get cups that fit them.

You can also get quite nice looking candles in glass in most $2 shops that look quite neat. And Ikea have glass tea light holders too. I think they look a bit better finished that a bare tea light.

Thank you to you all for your comments- I feel safe to proceed now!