Burn it right. Keep it for life.

The first burn

This one matters most. Coconut soy has memory, so the first burn sets the pool for the life of the candle.

• Give it time: about 1 hour for every inch across, so 3 to 4 hours for the 9oz and 5oz.
• Let the melted wax reach all the way to the edge before you put it out.
• Blow it out early and it tunnels: a hole down the middle with wasted wax on the sides.

Every burn

• Trim the wood wick to about 1/8 in before you light it. Pinch off the black, charred part with your fingers or a tissue once it’s cool.
• Light it along the whole length of the wick, not just one corner. Wood wicks take a few seconds to catch.
• A low crackle is normal. That’s the wood. A tall, smoking or flickering flame means the wick needs a trim.
• Burn 4 hours max, then let it cool at least 2 hours before you light it again.
• Put it out with the concrete lid (9oz and 5oz) or a snuffer. Less smoke than blowing it out.

Safety

• Burn within sight. Never leave a lit candle alone or burn it while you sleep.
• Keep it away from drafts, kids, pets, curtains and anything that can catch fire.
• Concrete holds heat. The vessel gets hot while it burns and stays hot after. Move it only when it’s cool to the touch.
• Set it on a heat-safe surface. On finished wood or stone, use a coaster or trivet.
• Stop when the wax reaches the burn line on the front. Burning lower overheats the bottom.
• If the flame gets too big or the vessel cracks, put it out and let it cool.

Caring for the concrete

KuliStone is real concrete. It’s strong, but it’s porous, so treat it like stone, not glass. The inside is sealed to hold the wax.

• Dust it with a soft, dry cloth. For a mark, use a cloth barely damp with water and a drop of mild dish soap, then dry it right away.
• Don’t soak it, run it under the tap or put it in the dishwasher.
• Skip bleach, ammonia, vinegar, citrus or other acidic cleaners, alcohol and scrub pads. They eat into the surface.
• Wipe up spills fast, especially oils, lotion and spilled wax. Oil left sitting can darken concrete.
• Wax on the outside? Let it harden, then lift it off gently with your fingernail or a soft cloth. Don’t scrape with metal.
• It’s heavy. Lift it, don’t drag it, so you don’t scratch it or your furniture.
• Keep it indoors. Rain and freezing weather can mark and crack concrete.
• Want to deepen the finish? A thin coat of clear paste wax, buffed with a dry cloth, protects the outside. Totally optional.

When it’s empty: refill it

• Let it cool completely.
• Pour in hot water (not boiling) and wait 10 minutes. The last of the wax floats free.
• Lift out the wax and the wick clip. Toss the wax in the trash, not the sink.
• Wash the inside with warm water and mild soap, then let the vessel dry a full 24 hours.
• Drop in a refill and light it. Same first-burn rule applies.
• Look at the floor before you do. Every vessel hides an Adinkra symbol cast into the concrete.

Made by hand, on purpose

• Every vessel is mixed, cast and finished by hand in Merrillville, Indiana. No two are exactly alike.
• Small air pockets, tiny pinholes and shifts in tone are part of real concrete. They aren’t defects.
• Over time the outside can soften in color where hands touch it most. That’s the patina of something you kept.