How long does a 100g sand candle burn?

A Candella Discovery 100g sand candle burns up to 15 hours. The theoretical maximum based on the 4g/hour burn rate is 25 hours, but we quote 15 hours to account for real-world variables like vessel shape and fill height.

How long does a 350g sand candle burn?

A Candella Classic 350g sand candle burns up to 80 hours total across multiple sessions. The wax is refillable, so the vessel itself never expires.

Does burn time change based on vessel size?

Yes. Narrower vessels with less surface area burn slightly longer than wide, shallow ones. Wick placement also affects efficiency — a well-centred, properly trimmed wick maximises burn time.

How Long Do Sand Candles Burn? The Complete Answer

It’s the first question most people ask when they discover sand candles for the first time.

“But how long does it actually last?”

Here’s the short answer — and then we’ll show you the math behind it.

How Long Candella Sand Candles Burn

Size	Weight	Burn Time
Discovery	100g	Up to 15 hours
Classic	350g	Up to 80 hours

Conservative, honest, and based on real-world use — not ideal lab conditions. But here’s where it gets interesting: burning through your sand wax doesn’t mean your candle is finished. The vessel stays. The experience resets. You just top it up.

Why Sand Wax Burns Differently

A traditional pillar or jar candle burns its entire wax body as fuel. Every hour it’s lit, the whole mass is shrinking. When it’s gone, it’s gone.

Sand wax doesn’t work that way. Candella’s granulated wax only consumes the granules immediately around the wick as it burns. The rest of the sand stays in place — intact, ready to be reused. The burn rate is a consistent 4 grams per hour, regardless of how full the vessel is.

So the real question isn’t just “how many hours does it last?” — it’s “how many sessions can I get from one bag?” The answer: as many times as you like. Top up the vessel, reset the wick, and you’re back to a full burn.

→ How to reset your sand candle between burns

How Does That Compare to Traditional Candles?

	Discovery (100g)	Classic (350g)	Typical Jar Candle (~226g)	Pillar Candle
Burn time	Up to 15 hrs	Up to 80 hrs	40–50 hrs	~1 hr per inch diameter
Reusable?	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No
Vessel flexible?	✅ Any container	✅ Any container	❌ No	❌ No
Self-extinguishing?	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No
Cost after first use	Just top up	Just top up	Replace entirely	Replace entirely

A standard 226g jar candle gives you around 40–50 hours, then it ends. The Classic at 350g gives you up to 80 hours — and when those granules are done, you refill rather than replace. Over time, that’s a fundamentally different relationship with your candle.

A Note on “Up To”

We say “up to 15 hours” and “up to 80 hours” for a reason. Burn time in any candle varies depending on vessel size and shape, fill height, room conditions (airflow, temperature), and wick placement. A smaller, narrower vessel with less surface area will burn slightly longer than a wide, shallow one.

Wick placement also affects burn time significantly. → See our wick placement guide for maximum burn efficiency

Planning an Event? The Calculation Is Different

If you’re an event stylist or planner, you’re not just asking “how long will this burn” — you’re asking “how much wax do I need to fill every vessel on every table for the full duration of the event?”

That depends on three things:

Vessel dimensions — length × width × height (at your chosen fill level)
Burn duration — how many hours the candles will be lit
Number of units — total vessels across your setup

Unlike traditional pillar candles that get discarded after each event, sand wax can be skimmed, topped up, and reused event after event. The upfront investment is higher — but the cost per event drops every time you reuse.

→ Explore event calculator

The Bottom Line

Sand candles burn up to 15 hours in our Discovery size and up to 80 hours in our Classic — and those numbers don’t account for the fact that you can reuse the same vessel indefinitely. It’s not just a longer burn. It’s a candle that doesn’t end.

New to sand candles? Start with the Discovery Scent Bundle and try it in a mug, bowl, or any vessel you love. Already convinced? The Classic 350g is where the real value is.

Questions about burn time for a specific vessel or event setup? Leave a comment below or get in touch — we’re happy to run the numbers with you.