Cold Through vs Hot Through: what do we mean?

Cold Throw vs Hot Throw: How Candles Really Fill A Room

One of the questions we are asked most often is:

"Why does one candle seem stronger than another?"

The answer usually comes down to two important terms in candle making: cold throw and hot throw.

What Is Cold Throw?

Cold throw refers to the fragrance you can smell when a candle is unlit. It's the scent you notice when you remove the lid or walk past the candle on a shelf. A strong cold throw often creates an immediate impression, allowing you to enjoy the fragrance before the candle is even lit.

What Is Hot Throw?

Hot throw refers to the fragrance released when the candle is burning. As the wax melts, fragrance oils are warmed and dispersed into the surrounding air. This is what fills a room and creates atmosphere. For most people, hot throw is the true measure of a candle's performance.

Why Some Candles Perform Better Than Others

Creating excellent hot throw is both an art and a science.

Many factors influence performance, including:

• Wax selection

• Fragrance formulation

• Wick choice

• Vessel size

• Fragrance load

• Testing and curing time

Even small adjustments can dramatically affect how a candle performs.

Bigger Doesn't Always Mean Stronger

One common misconception is that larger candles automatically create more fragrance.

In reality, formulation matters far more than size alone. A well-made candle with a carefully balanced fragrance can outperform a much larger candle that hasn't been properly developed.

Patience Is Part Of The Process

Behind every candle sits a surprising amount of testing. Different waxes, wicks and fragrance combinations are trialled repeatedly to achieve the balance between performance, burn quality and scent throw. The goal isn't simply to create fragrance. It's to create atmosphere.

The Final Experience

When a candle has both a beautiful cold throw and a beautiful hot throw, something special happens. The fragrance welcomes you before it's lit. Then gently transforms the room once the flame is glowing. That balance is what turns a candle from a decorative object into an experience. And that is what we strive for with every fragrance we create.

Chat soon Ursula x

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Begin your own ritual. 

Shop our hand-poured candles — each tested for both cold throw and hot throw before it leaves the West Sussex studio.

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Frequently asked questions

What does cold throw mean for candles?

Cold throw is the fragrance you can smell from a candle when it's not lit — for example, when you open the lid or walk past it on a shelf. A strong cold throw indicates a well-blended fragrance and a wax that holds scent effectively.

What does hot throw mean?

Hot throw is the fragrance released when a candle is burning. As the wax melts, fragrance oils heat up and disperse into the room. Hot throw is the most important measure of a candle's real-world performance.

Why doesn't my candle smell strong when burning?

Common causes include: (1) the candle hasn't been burned long enough for the wax to fully melt across the surface, (2) the wick is too small for the vessel, (3) the fragrance load is too low, or (4) the candle hasn't been properly cured. Always burn a new candle for 2–3 hours on first light.

How can I make my candle smell stronger?

Trim the wick to 5mm before each burn, let the wax melt fully edge-to-edge on the first burn, and burn the candle in an enclosed space (not by an open window). Avoid burning for longer than 4 hours at a time — this can overheat the fragrance and reduce throw.

Do bigger candles always smell stronger?

No. Fragrance load, wick size, wax type, and formulation matter far more than candle size. A well-formulated 200g candle can outperform a poorly made 400g one.