I have been burning beeswax candles for over 10 years now. It might come as a surprise to you but one very important part of how well a candle burns is often the kind of candle holder you have. I had someone recently e-mail me because she was having all kinds of trouble with her votive. Votives are one of the easiest of the beeswax candles to burn so I immediately asked, “Are you burning it in a proper votive cup?”
The answer back was - probably not. I didn’t get the details about the holders she had but since that conversation she ordered some votive cups from our on-line store. Beeswax votives are designed to completely liquefy as they burn and need a snug glass holder. I contacted the same person the week after she got her votive cups and she was delighted. Yes, they were burning great now.
I recommend that you put a bit of coarse pickling salt or a tablespoon or two of water in the bottom to help get the metal tab out when the votive is finished burning. It makes it so the wax is not sealed to the bottom of the holder and you can lift it out carefully with a butter knife or a hook designed to dunk candles. Honey Candles Manager, Leah says she sticks her votive holders in the freezer. When the leftover wax is frozen it contracts and is more likely to just pop out. For more articles on burning votives properly check out this list.
Beeswax tealights usually come in a clear plastic or aluminum cup. We still recommend that you burn them on something non-flammable or burn them inside another tealight cup. Here is a simple clear glass cup to show you what I mean. Tealights are designed to completely liquefy as well and are best burned start to finish. Never burn less than half of your tealight and expect to burn it again and burn all the wax. The wax will never get hot enough to completely liquefy and burn up. You will be left with wax in the tealight cup. It’s not the fault of the tealight – you just didn’t burn it long enough. A tealight will burn 4½ to 5 hours. Light it and let it burn until it’s done. You will be much happier with the results than burning it for intervals. You will find the complete information about burning tealights in this index of tealight articles.
Beeswax pillars, as well as Honey Candles® Ornamentals are best burned on an open glass or metal pillar plate designed for that purpose. Remember to remove the label before you light your pillar. I haven't done that yet in the photo! We do not recommend flammable decorations around the base of the pillar and probably wooden pillar holders are not a good idea. We definitely do not recommend hurricane candle holders that hold the heat in around beeswax pillars. 
Beeswax burns 3 to 4 times hotter than paraffin and the heat generated by a beeswax pillar enclosed in a hurricane candle holder can soften the wax of the pillar and cause a blowout and spilled wax. Be sure to leave adequate spaces between pillars if you are burning more than one at a time for the same reason. All that heat can soften the wax on the outside of the pillars and you may have a messy spill if a hole forms in the wax pool. You can find out more about burning beeswax pillars in any of these articles.
We have several previous articles on suitable candle holders and burning tips for our candlesticks. I suggest the following reading:
Classic Natural Beeswax Tapers by Honey Candles
Perfect Beeswax Candles – 6 inch Tubes
Burning Beeswax Candles Perfectly – Especially the 6 inch Column
Beautiful Versatile Honey Candles Natural Beeswax 9 inch Base
I hope that you find the perfect holder for your beeswax candles! Marlie just mentioned to me that simple candle holders like these are inexpensive in the dollar store. This might be the time we recommend that you buy your candle holders there but please, not your candles!
