Sniff, whiff, and what’s the diff? Decoding hot and cold candle scents!

You’ve found the perfect candle, but somewhere between unlit and burning, the scent changes. Why does your candle smell different when it’s lit?

In the candle world, two key concepts come into play: hot throw and cold throw.

Understanding hot and cold throw

Cold throw is the fragrance you get from an unlit candle—the preview sniff. It’s the scent that fills the air when you take a whiff of the candle in its jar. A strong cold throw suggests a well-made candle with high-quality fragrance oils, adding ambiance even before lighting.

Hot throw, on the other hand, is the fragrance released when the candle is lit. As the flame heats the wax, the scent diffuses into the air. Hot throw varies based on wax type, wick quality, and fragrance concentration.

Cold throw vs. hot throw

Want the best of both worlds? A candle that smells amazing whether it’s burning or not?

Light fragrances like citrus and florals tend to have stronger cold throw, while heavier scents like vanilla, cinnamon, and conifer shine when lit.

Also, keep the room size in mind. Natural fragrances and essential oils may not fill larger spaces, even when the candle is burning—you might need more than one.

Next time you’re candle shopping, we hope this helps shed some light on why scents can change. Whichever way you lean, Wick-Zen candles are crafted to elevate your candle experience. Our candles are made with coco-soy wax and cotton or wooden wicks, designed to burn cleanly and safely while enhancing the fragrance experience.

With our signature range, your nose will have a new bestie in no time!