Consumables Care

Sacramental Wine, Altar Bread, Candles, Charcoal and Palms make up some of the Consumables used in day to day religious life. Proper care and preparation ensure that Consumables maintain there optimum condition

CARING FOR CANDLES

• Candles should be kept away from heat sources.
• Ensure candlestick holder/cup/socket is clean/empty. 
• Seat properly sized candles firmly and vertically straight in the candlestick. Tilted candles cause irregular burning and excessive dripping.
• Approximately 1/2" of exposed wick is recommend for efficient burning.
• Use only a follower that is the correct size for the candle diameter. Clean the follower inside and out, before seating the follower on the candle by placing it on the shoulder of the candle and giving it a snug 1/4 turn. The follower should be straight, and all edges of the top rim or shoulder of the candle should touch the inside of the follower.
• Straighten the wick and pre-condition the candle by burning for at least two-minutes.
• Large diameter candles must remain lit long enough for the entire top surface to become liquefied. When not lit long enough it may cause a center burning out condition that will require the candle head to be reconditioned.
• Ensure lighting taper is extended sufficiently, or lighting wood stick is proper length to safely reach candle wick.
• Avoid pieces of the wick and/or taper/wood stick breaking into the candle flame.
• If broken/debris does break into the candle flame, safely extinguish the candle remove debris and relight.
• Any broken wood stick/wick/lighting taper that is left in the candle flame will cause unsafe operation of the candle, and MUST BE REMOVED. This creates a second wick or super wick in the candle and exceeds the design of the candle.
• Never blow out a candle. To extinguish, gently place the extinguisher over the candle follower being careful to not touch the wick or the follower. The follower is resting on both liquid and soft wax, pressing down on the follower can cause it to tilt or compress into the candle. Which will lead to candle malfunction on next lighting.
• Place candles out of the way of drafts.
• Inspect candles regularly to detect conditions that may cause improper burning.
• If the candle wick is too long trim the wick. If the wick is too short recondition the candle head.
• To recondition a candle ensure 1/2" of the wick is exposed. Care must be taken to not damage the wick. The top shoulders of the candle can then be angled symmetrically and level to ensure a follower can seat properly.

CARING FOR SACRAMENTAL WINE AND ALTAR BREAD

Optimum storage recommendations call for storing in a cool dry location without being subject to significant swings in temperature. If this type of storage is maintained, you can be assured of quality product until consumed.

CARING FOR CHARCOAL & INCENSE

• Light the Charcoal with matches or lighter for about 20 seconds until it self-ignites.
• Use tongs to hold it up (never hold it with your fingers alone or you might get burned).
• Place the lit Charcoal in a bowl or any Incense burner. The bowl or incense burner should be filled with sand or dirt.  
• Let the charcoal warm for a few minutes. (It turns gray around the edges when it is ready)  
• Now you are ready to add a small amount of Incense resin on top of the charcoal.
• The Incense will burn and soon release essential, aromatic oils through the smoke.
• Continue to place resins or powder on charcoal as they burn out and smoke decreases for a continuous burn.
• Do not hold the Charcoal in your hand when lit.

CARING FOR PALMS

• Bags should be removed from boxes to allow more cool air to circulate.
• It is best to store all Palms upright. Avoid stacking bags flat on top of each other.
• Wait until you are ready to use or arrange Palms before removing them from bags.
• If bags are opened prematurely it is best to reseal the bags.
• Keep Palms in a cool location. Ideally between 5-10 degrees celcious.
• DO NOT FREEZE PALMS
• If you don't have access to a cool location, keep Palms in a well lit air-conditioned space to prevent molding.
• DO NOT PUT NEAR HEAT SOURCES
• Brown tips are a natural feature of almost all healthy palm leaves. Brown tips do not indicate your Palm is dead or dying.

• Cut the stems at 45 degree angle 1/8" above bottom end of stem.
• Place in ice water for 1-3 hours. This will add luster to any dry appearing altar decorations.
• Leaves that come tightly folded or closed will open up when placed in ice water.
• Keep water in arrangement vessel, this will keep palms lively through your service.