Hi all,

I have had my fantasio vanishing candle for about a year now, and finally got around to actually lighting it up using citronella lamp wick oil.

The problem is that I fill the compartment up with the oil as per instructions, however it burns for about 10 - 15 seconds and turns the wick to ash. The flame is obviously gone by that time, and I would like to have the candle burning for much more time than that!

Is this normal or is there something I'm missing?

Thanks,
Scott.

Try lighter fluid.

Lighter Fluid only is good advice. Or take the wick completely out and put a wooden match in place. I find the match works best for me and it never fails to light. Not to mention I don't have fluids ruining the finish on my Candles.

Thanks for your comments,
Actually I like the idea of the match instead of the wick. Will give that a try.

Why do you need it to stay lit so long?
Bairefoot

I would like to have it burning as a prop for a few minutes on a table before I even walk out on stage. Then when it comes time to do the manipulations, I just approach it, pick it up and vanish it. I understand this is not possible now, and I should just light it up and vanish it soon after. I might as well use a real candle as a fixed prop, but I could use that to light my fantasio one.

Use a very fine candle and place it inside the wick area. You'll have some time of burning before the vanish.

In your case, match and lighter fluid will not work - don't give you extended burning time compared to using candles.

Hope this helps.

Fantasio Candles require Ronson wired lighter wicks. Then use Ronson lighter fluid. The term oil is used in other countries, so they still mean lighter fluid.

I'm going to try with the matches, I never thought of that before.

If you want the flame to stay for some time, just as Scott wanted, matches would not give you that. I would suggest small thin candles placed inside the wick chamber.

If you do leave the candle burning for some time it will become very hot. Depending on how you handle the candle you could get burned by leaving it lit too long. Some people let the candle vanish upward by holding on the metal tip of the candle. I once let mine burning too long during a show and when I did the vanish the plastic around the tip area became very soft from the heat and it still has an imprint of my finger on it.
Jim

I agree with Jim. I got blisters on my thumb and forefinger because of that and also ruined my silk (a burnt hole in it).

Use lighter fluid. I have used it and it never fail me.

Yes the lighter fluid,
put a the fluid before the show (the last preparation is candles and animals).
Try to put Candle cap to prevent evaporation.

Paulo

Yes, always lighter fluid. Also why not try a TT with fluid-soaked cotton in it to put over the wick to prevent evaporation. This was in Fantasio's book. Also, I tend to run out of usable wick after several performances, so I bought actual candle wick at a place like Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Jo-Ann's or even Walmart. It usually comes in rolls an is a good investment. For several years I had to take them out of my act until I discovered this.
Hope this helps!
Brian

Replace the wice and use cotton shoe lace.
This will not burn as fast as normal wick.

-Koenraad

Koenraad,
Did you try the cotton shoe lace?
Is better than original fantasio wick?

Paulo

Paulo
I use the shoe lace for years, and it works perfect.
I mean the white round shoe lace (is it cotton or nylon?)
For this purpose the shoe lace is much better than normal candle wick.
"Is it better than the original fantasio wick?" I have no more original Fantasio wick in my candle's so I can't tell. The Shoe lace was the perfect instant solution for me

In combination with lamp oil, so I can fill my candle's the day before or even the week before, because it will not evaporate.
Result: less "last minute stress" ... you know putting the birds, ...

-Koenraad

Koenraad,
Thank you very much for your explanation/answer!!!


Paulo

Also, use those little rubber tips that go on the metal legs of say a receipt spiker or they can be found on those metal pronged hooks that go into the grooves of the wooden wall displays at stores, or for use in work shops, garages etc.

These little rubber tips fit perfectly over the wick of a fantasio candle so that you can load your candles with lighter fluid before the show or even several days before and it keeps them sealed up slowing up the evapouration process. So all you have to do right before the show is pop off this little rubber tip off the end of the wick and you are good to go, and there should be enough fluid in there to burn for several minutes without damaging the wick much.

The key is to make sure the wick is soaked with lighter fluid all the way up and down and completely through.

P.