Mother's Day Votive Holders

A hurricane holds the candle inside glass, and it is that glass that makes the light: its height and its tint. Our hurricanes and candle holders range from a few centimeters to nearly thirty, in smooth, textured or colored glass.

Height makes the light

A low hurricane lights the table and keeps faces clear: it's the right choice for a meal. A tall model such as Alba or Totem raises the flame to eye level, for a sideboard or a console. The simplest approach is to mix two heights from the same glass family.

Which candle inside

The candle should stay narrower than the glass, otherwise the heat stresses the wall and soot builds up on it. Small sizes such as Boudoir or Rumba take a tealight; large glasses take a pillar candle. A scented candle refill needs a wide enough glass: compare diameters before slipping it in.

Smooth glass, textured glass

Smooth, clear glass gives a direct light and blends into the background. Ribbed, frosted or tinted glass, like that of the Snowy and Maia models, breaks the flame into reflections. The Doily saucers and glass candlesticks leave the candle fully visible: save them for a wide pillar, or for a candle that comes in its own glass.

Frequently asked questions

How do you clean a blackened hurricane?

Let it cool, then wipe the inside with a cloth and a little hot soapy water. A drop of white vinegar takes care of a stubborn gray film.

How is it different from a candlestick?

A hurricane surrounds the flame with a wall that shields it from the air, while a candlestick simply holds the candle. In a room where air moves, the hurricane keeps the flame upright.

Can the glass crack from the heat?

It holds up as long as the flame stays away from the wall and the glass isn't coming in from the cold. A candle that is too wide heats the glass on one side only, and it is that difference that puts it under stress.