PYRO PUZZLE HELP CENTER

Short and Sweet:

Smelly Sticks are special fragrance wax strips that let you build your own custom-scented Mix & Match Candle. The Full Combustion Report:

Smelly Sticks are specially formulated fragrance wax strips designed to drop into the four empty slots of a Mix & Match candle. That’s their entire job. They don’t go in warmers, they’re not candy (even if your brain whispers otherwise), and they’re the exclusive fragrance source for the Pyro Puzzle candle system.

Each Smelly Stick is poured from a clean, high-quality wax blend and infused with premium, phthalate-free, Prop-65-compliant fragrance. When you slide all four fully into their slots and light the candle, the heat from the wicks melts the sticks into the wax pool. Once that happens, they fuse permanently into the candle and throw scent just like a traditional scented candle.

Every package contains four Smelly Sticks, which is exactly enough for one Mix & Match candle. You can load all four from the same fragrance for a classic single-scent candle, or mix different fragrances for a custom blend. Three vanilla and one coconut gives you “vanilla with a tropical wink,” while flipping that ratio gives you a coconut-forward vibe with a hint of vanilla. Different combinations affect the character of the aroma, not the burn time or intensity.

If a Smelly Stick ever arrives cracked (split in half), you can still use it as long as the pieces fill the slot completely and sit flush with the candle surface. No gaps, no tunnels, no leaning towers of wax sticking out of the top of the candle. Think of it like assembling a tiny scent-infused Tetris piece. If the Smelly Stick got run over by a Big Wheel tire or looks like the bottom of a bag of potato chips, don’t use it. Contact us and we’ll get it sorted out.

Once melted, the sticks can’t be removed, swapped or separated from the candle. They become part of it, the way puzzle pieces click into place in the final picture.

Short and Sweet:

Smelly Sticks melt into the candle’s wax pool, fuse with it, and become the fragrance source for your Mix & Match Candle.

The Full Combustion Report:

Smelly Sticks are designed to drop into the four empty slots of your Mix & Match Candle and fully transform how the candle burns. When you light the candle, the heat from the dual cotton wicks begins to melt the top layer of wax. As that melt pool spreads, it reaches the Smelly Sticks, softens them and pulls them down into the liquid wax.

Once they melt, they fuse fully into the candle’s wax blend. They’re not removable, they’re not separate pieces floating around — they literally become part of the candle itself and release fragrance evenly as it burns. This is how a completely unscented candle turns into whatever custom blend you created.

All four slots must be filled before lighting.

If a slot is left empty, the melt pool will drain into the empty cavity. This causes the flame to reach deeper into the candle, pull in excess wax and grow larger than intended, which is a genuine fire hazard. When all four slots are filled and sit flush with the surface, the candle burns level, controlled and exactly as engineered.

Choosing different Smelly Stick fragrances only affects the aroma you experience — it does not change burn time or performance. Whether you load all four with the same scent or create a blend like Coconut + Pineapple, the candle will burn the same way every time.

The system is simple: Light the candle, the Smelly Sticks melt and fuse in, and you get the exact custom fragrance you built — safely and evenly.

Short and Sweet:

You need 4 Smelly Sticks. Combine any four you want. Each Smelly Stick pack comes with 4 sticks, which is exactly enough for one Mix & Match Candle.

The Full Combustion Report:

Each Mix & Match Candle has four Smelly Stick slots, and every slot needs to be filled before you light the candle. One pack of Smelly Sticks contains four sticks, which is exactly what you need to complete a full candle.

You can load all four sticks with the same fragrance for a straight-up classic candle, or you can go full mad-scientist and mix whatever you want. Whether you go all Vanilla or build a Coconut + Pineapple situation, the candle will burn the same every time — you’re only changing the aroma, not the performance. Some combos will be legendary, some will be… educational. That’s part of the fun. If you don’t know where to start, head to our Fragrance Lab in the shop. It’s our running list of crowd-favorites, oddball discoveries and must-try blends to get your creativity cooking.

Once the Smelly Sticks melt and fuse into the wax, they become part of the candle and can’t be removed or swapped. If you want a different scent profile next time, just grab another Mix & Match Candle and load it with whatever combination you want.

Short and Sweet:

You better! Mix any four fragrances you want. Get creative. Get wild. If you discover the world’s greatest combo, tell us on social. And hey, sometimes you just can’t beat the smell of simplicity, like all Vanilla or Midnight Jasmine.

The Full Combustion Report:

Absolutely. Mixing Smelly Sticks is the entire point of the Mix & Match system. You’ve got four slots, sixteen launch fragrances and a wide-open lane to create something incredible… or something that teaches you valuable life lessons. Either way, you’re in charge.

Each stick contributes its own strength to the final aroma. Three Vanilla + one Coconut? Mostly vanilla with a tropical wink. Three Coconut + one Vanilla? Flip the script. All four different? Welcome to the chaos lab.

Here’s the fun part: No matter what combination you choose, the candle will burn exactly the same. You’re not changing the wick behavior, the melt pool or the performance. You’re only changing the scent profile.

If you want inspiration, wander into our Fragrance Lab in the shop. It’s where we list the community’s favorite blends, seasonal discoveries and the occasional “how did this end up smelling THIS good?” surprises. It’s also a great place to start if you’re staring at sixteen fragrances and you’ve suddenly forgotten how smells work.

Mix boldly. Blend weirdly. Discover greatness. That’s the entire Pyro Puzzle experience

Short and Sweet:

Nope. Mix whatever you want — the candle burns exactly the same. Only the scent changes.

The Full Combustion Report:

Mixing Smelly Stick fragrances doesn’t change the burn performance, melt pool, wick behavior or burn time of your Mix & Match Candle. Every Smelly Stick is formulated with the same wax base and integrates into the candle the same way, no matter which fragrances you combine.

You could load up all four sticks with Vanilla, or you could create a Coconut + Pineapple + Coffee + Brown Sugar mystery blend straight out of your imagination — the candle will burn exactly as engineered. The only thing you're changing is the aroma profile drifting through your room.

As long as all four slots are filled and the sticks sit flush with the surface before lighting, the candle burns clean, controlled and consistent, no matter how tame or unhinged your fragrance combo is.

Your creativity shapes the scent.

We made sure it never affects the performance.

Short and Sweet:

No. Once the candle is lit, the Smelly Sticks melt into the wax, fuse with the candle and can’t be removed.

The Full Combustion Report:

Smelly Sticks are designed to fully integrate into the candle as they melt. When the heat reaches them, they soften, liquefy and blend directly into the wax pool. At that moment, they stop being “sticks” and become part of the candle itself.

Because they fuse completely into the wax blend, they can’t be pulled out, scooped out, fished out, tweezed out or surgically extracted. There’s no separation point — it’s all one uniform wax after melting.

If you want a different scent next time, just grab another Mix & Match Candle and load it with whatever combo your nose is craving. Each burn is a one-way trip into the fragrance universe you built.

Short and Sweet:

No. Smelly Sticks are single-use. Once they melt into the candle, they go to candle heaven… they’re done.

The Full Combustion Report:

Smelly Sticks can’t be reused for two simple reasons:

1. They completely melt and fuse into the candle’s wax blend.

2. There’s nothing left to reuse once that happens.

When the candle’s heat reaches a Smelly Stick, it softens, liquefies and blends evenly into the wax. It doesn’t stay in stick form, and it doesn’t remain separate. It becomes part of the candle — permanently.

Trying to reuse one would be like trying to un-bake a cookie. Once it’s fused, it’s fused.

If you want a new scent or a new combo, just grab another Mix & Match Candle and load it with whatever blend your nose is craving next.

Short and Sweet:

A clean, high-quality soy–paraffin blend formulated for smooth melting, strong fragrance release and consistent performance.

The Full Combustion Report:

Our candles use a proprietary soy–paraffin wax blend formulated specifically for the Mix & Match system. The soy keeps the burn smooth and clean, while the paraffin adds stability and helps release fragrance evenly once the Smelly Sticks melt in.

We source clean, high-quality waxes from trusted suppliers in the USA, and we don’t add any fragrance to the candle itself — all the scent comes from the Smelly Sticks. The wax simply needs to burn reliably, melt evenly and keep the candle performing safely from the first burn to the last.

That’s the whole point:

a high-quality soy–paraffin blend that plays perfectly with Smelly Sticks.

Short and Sweet:

A clean, high-quality wax blend infused with premium fragrance — formulated specifically for the Pyro Puzzle system.

The Full Combustion Report:

Smelly Sticks are poured using a proprietary wax blend designed to melt at just the right time and temperature inside the Mix & Match Candle. The wax is firm enough to drop into the slots without breaking, yet softens smoothly when the melt pool reaches it. Once melted, it fuses seamlessly into the candle’s main wax blend and becomes part of the candle itself.

Each stick is infused with premium, phthalate-free fragrance oils sourced from established suppliers in the United States. The formulation gives you consistent melting, controlled fragrance release and the ability to mix scents without affecting how the candle burns.

We don’t share exact ratios, melt curves or technical specifications — that’s part of the Pyro Puzzle secret sauce — but here’s the bottom line:

Smelly Sticks are made from clean, high-quality materials engineered for safe, consistent performance inside the Mix & Match Candle.

Short and Sweet:

Yes. We use clean, high-quality fragrances that are phthalate-free, Prop-65 compliant and made to meet strict safety standards.

The Full Combustion Report:

Every fragrance we use comes from reputable U.S. suppliers who specialize in clean, high-quality candle aromas. They’re formulated to be free of phthalates, carcinogens and Prop-65–listed chemicals, while still giving you strong, reliable scent once the Smelly Sticks melt into the wax.

We don’t make medical or pet-safety claims (those require formal testing), but here’s what matters: • our fragrance oils are clean • our suppliers meet strict industry safety guidelines • we select every scent with performance and quality in mind

The Mix & Match system is built around fragrances that smell amazing, blend creatively and meet the high standards we expect for everything we put our name on.

Clean ingredients. Clean burn. Strong scent. That’s the formula.

Short and Sweet:

We use clean-burning, lead-free cotton wicks. No metals, no weird stuff — just safe, high-quality cotton.

The Full Combustion Report:

Our wicks are made from braided, lead-free cotton fibers designed for a clean, controlled burn. There are two wicks in every Mix & Match Candle to keep the melt pool even and help the Smelly Sticks melt smoothly into the wax.

We don’t use zinc, lead, tin or metal-core wicks — just straightforward cotton that burns steady and pairs perfectly with our soy–paraffin wax blend.

Why two wicks?

Because the Mix & Match Candle is built to melt evenly across the top so the Smelly Sticks soften and fuse in at the right pace. A single wick wouldn’t heat the surface evenly enough, and an oversized wick would burn too hot. Two cotton wicks give you a clean, balanced flame and a stable melt pool from edge to edge.

Simple. Safe. Consistent.

Exactly how a Mix & Match Candle should burn.

Short and Sweet:

We use high-quality fragrance oils designed for candles — not essential oils.

The Full Combustion Report:

Smelly Sticks are scented with premium fragrance oils from trusted U.S. suppliers. These oils are phthalate-free, Prop-65 compliant and formulated specifically for safe, clean candle burning.

We don’t use essential oils because they don’t always perform well under heat, can degrade quickly and aren’t as reliable for consistent scent throw.

Fragrance oils let you get bold, creative blends while still burning clean and evenly.

Short and Sweet:

Cool, dry, out of direct sunlight.

The Full Combustion Report:

Smelly Sticks like the same conditions most fragrances do: • keep them in a cool, dry place • avoid direct sunlight • avoid leaving them in hot cars • keep the package sealed when not in use

They won’t melt at room temperature, but prolonged heat can soften the wax and warp the shape, making insertion into the slots harder.

Treat them like chocolate: safe on a shelf, not safe in a glove box in July.

Short and Sweet:

No. Smelly Sticks are engineered only for the Mix & Match Candle.

The Full Combustion Report:

Smelly Sticks are formulated with a specific melt curve and density that pairs with the Mix & Match Candle’s dual-wick burn profile. Wax warmers heat from the bottom, not the top, and the Smelly Sticks will not melt evenly or safely in that setup.

They won’t perform correctly, they won’t smell right and they can leave residue in your warmer.

Short version: Mix & Match Candle only.

Short and Sweet:

Absolutely. New scents and limited drops are coming. Subscribe to get notified when they release.

The Full Combustion Report:

We’re launching with 16 core fragrances, but that’s just the beginning. We’ll continue releasing new scents, seasonal drops, limited editions and surprise blends.

If you have a combo you think deserves its own Smelly Stick, tag us — your idea might end up in the lineup.

Want first dibs? Subscribe and you’ll get a heads-up when new fragrances drop.

Short and Sweet:

No. Smelly Sticks work only with the Mix & Match Candle.

The Full Combustion Report:

Smelly Sticks are made specifically for the Pyro Puzzle system. They melt, fuse and release scent based on the dual-wick setup and the thermal behavior of the Mix & Match Candle wax.

Putting them in another candle won’t melt them correctly and can create unsafe burn conditions.

If you want the Smelly Stick experience, it needs to be in a Mix & Match Candle.

Short and Sweet:

No — they’re firm enough to handle normal shipping heat.

The Full Combustion Report:

Smelly Sticks are poured with a firmer wax structure than the candle itself, so they hold their shape during transit. Even in warm weather, they won’t arrive melted or unusable.

Extremely high temperatures (think: sealed mailbox in a heat wave) may soften them slightly, but they’ll firm back up at room temperature and perform exactly the same.

If something ever arrives damaged beyond normal softening, just contact us and we’ll take care of it.

Info@pyropuzzle.com

Short and Sweet:

Yes — change the Smelly Stick ratios.

The Full Combustion Report:

You control the strength by controlling the blend. • Four sticks of the same scent = strongest version of that fragrance • 3 + 1 = dominant + accent • 2 + 2 = balanced blend • four different scents = full chaos mode

If you load all four slots with the same Smelly Stick fragrance, that’s the maximum strength that scent can offer. Adding more sticks isn’t possible, and placing extra wax on top won’t make it stronger — it just interferes with how the candle is designed to burn.

Strength comes from your combo, not the burn behavior. The candle burns the same — you decide the aroma story.

Short and Sweet:

Totally normal. It’s just the two wax types cooling at different speeds.

The Full Combustion Report:

Your Mix & Match Candle uses two different wax matrixes: • the base candle wax • the Smelly Stick wax

They cool at slightly different rates, which can create wavy textures or gentle ripples on the surface. Sometimes those waves hide partially melted Smelly Stick sections right under the top layer — also completely normal.

This doesn’t affect burn performance, scent throw or safety. It’s simply the natural way the two waxes settle.

Short and Sweet:

Because they’re sticks that smell… and we wanted to keep things fun, not “fragrance-infused thermal insertion wax elements” … That sounded ridiculous.

The Full Combustion Report:

The name “Smelly Sticks” was born the moment we realized we invented something that didn’t exist yet — little fragrance-loaded wax sticks you drop into a candle to build your own scent.

We could have named them something fancy and overly engineered like: • Aroma Rods • Scent Cores • Olfactory Modules • Wax Flavor Cartridges • Aroma Infusion Inserts (the corporate favorite)

But none of those felt right. They all sounded like something you’d buy from a lab, not something fun, playful and creative.

So we went with the name that made everyone instantly understand what they are: They’re sticks. They’re smelly. Smelly Sticks.

It’s simple. It’s memorable. It makes people smile. And honestly? Nothing else fit the chaotic joy of mixing your own candle fragrances better.

If you'd like to read our full company story, click here.

Short and Sweet:

Because the original invention was a candle puzzle — and because “Pyro Puzzle” fell into our laps after the trademark office crushed our first name.

The Full Combustion Report:

The company actually started with a completely different invention: a full 3D candle puzzle made of interlocking wax pieces. It was wild, creative and unlike anything on the market… but it also required machinery big enough to fill a small warehouse. Not exactly “garage-startup friendly,” unless your garage happens to be a factory.

While figuring out how to manufacture the puzzle candles, we created Smelly Sticks as a workaround — and accidentally invented the Mix & Match Candle, which we could produce without industrial equipment. That became our first launch product.

Meanwhile, we had already spent months choosing a name for the company. We picked one, bought every domain variation, planned the branding… and then found a small roadblock in the Trademark office that made the name unusable.

Six months of brainstorming → gone in one search result.

So we went back to the drawing board, annoyed and exhausted — and then Pyro Puzzle came to mind.

We looked it up everywhere. No one had used it. Not for candles, not for anything. It felt like the name had just been sitting there waiting for us.

“Pyro” because lighting a candle instantly satisfies that little flame-lover inside you. “Puzzle” because the whole brand is about building, mixing, creating and experimenting — from the future puzzle candles to the scent combinations you make right now.

It’s playful, it’s original and it tells the truth about who we are: a company built on sparks, ideas and the joy of making something your own.

If you'd like to read more about our brand story, click here.