Candle Help! (pic) am out of ideas!

[VeryFoolishFay]

I bought these candlesticks in Crate and Barrel, on holiday in the States 27 years ago. They weren't expensive but I am very attached to them.

You fill them with water and the candle floats at the same level, obviously getting shorter as it burns.

Took my eye off them at Christmas, they burned down too low and now have wax stubs wedged in them.

Any ideas how I remove them? To be honest, the glass seems quite fragile so it needs to be a gentle approach!

Would the glasses survive being put on a radiator or similar to soften the wax enough to dig it out with a pipe cleaner?

I would maybe set them on a radiator to soften the wax, then get some long handled tweezers or pliers and grip the wick and try to pull it out?

I agree that a radiator is worth a try.

Maybe a hairdryer on a not too hot setting or from a distance?

Put it upside down on paper so the wax runs/drops right out.

I've got a thin cake tester prong but there is no space either side to get any purchase on them. Radiator is a good idea - will have to do it before anyone else gets in - because they won't stand a chance otherwise!

Was a bit worried about putting any hot water in them in case they crack. Never seen anything like them since!

put them in a jug of hot water. wax will soften and you can scoop it out with a skewer. Then pour boiling water in to remove the remaining wax.

I knew I would some lateral thinking here! I am not the most practical of women.

Submerging in hot water should work, if you think it can stand it. Or you could try gently heating it with a hairdryer on a low setting or something like a heat pad/hot water bottle to melt the edges so you can ease it out.

If you heat the entire glass rather than just the stem, that will reduce the risk of it shattering. And don't go straight from cold to hot, gradually increase the temperature.

Hurrah!

Inspired by these ideas, I let them soak in some hand hot water, turned them upside and used a pair of long bladed scissors to grip the wick and gently release them.

I am embarrassed to admit it never occured to me to turn them upside down. I 've got O levels and everything.

I've had them for 27 years, this has happened numerous times before and I've winged it. Now I have no fear. Thank you all.

I bet you don't have O levels in Practical Candle Removal :)

No, that's true! I did do Physics and got a B but in the exam was asked to wire and plug and had no idea.

The web is a godsend to me; lots of videos to watch of people doing useful things.