Fire hazard with tealight ovens, tealight fireplaces and tealight heaters

Tealight ovens, tealight fireplaces and clay pot heaters are popular. They look cosy and are supposed to provide a little warmth. But they pose a serious fire hazard. Here you can read why this is so and how to protect yourself.

Why tealight ovens can be dangerous

• Several tealights often stand close together in the oven.
• The clay pot or housing traps the heat.
• The wax becomes very hot and can ignite on its own.
• This causes a wax fire with a tall flame. Water makes it even more dangerous.

The heating effect is small. A tealight oven does not replace a heater.

What you should definitely pay attention to

1. Keep the distances between the tealights specified by the manufacturer.
2. Only use as many tealights as the oven is designed for.
3. Place the oven on a fireproof mat.
4. Keep a distance from curtains, paper and furniture.
5. Never leave the oven burning unattended, not even briefly.
6. Never extinguish burning wax with water. Smother the flame with a lid or a fire blanket.

Which mat is suitable?

A tealight oven needs a mat underneath that does not burn and withstands a lot of heat. The FireMat Gold Edition withstands up to 800 °C. It is water- and oil-repellent, so wax is easy to remove. An alternative is the FireMat Black Edition. Both are certified by TÜV SÜD according to DIN EN ISO 11925-2.

Choose a mat that is considerably larger than the oven. That way, even wax that tips over still lands on the mat.

If a fire does break out

• Stay calm and do not pour water on burning wax.
• Cover the flame with a lid or a fire blanket.
• If the fire grows, leave the room, close the door and call the fire brigade on 112.

A smoke detector warns you early if something goes wrong.

Frequently asked questions

How many tealights can I put in the oven?

As many as the manufacturer specifies. More tealights give hardly any more warmth, but considerably more risk.

Can I put the tealight oven on a wooden table?

Only with a fireproof mat underneath. Wood can discolour or ignite from the heat.

Conclusion

Tealight ovens are pretty, but they are not a heater. With space between the tealights, a fireproof mat and constant supervision, they stay safe. For candles in general, also read Fireproof mat for candles.