Do not use these as a beginner!! and I would advise you be very careful even as an experienced person with these. Me and my husband bought these a little while back and finally got around to using them. They are HOT to the point they were leaving red marks on my skin for a while after use. I am a brat who can take pain and heat but these made me say my safe word. Being 100% paraffin these burn more or less at the same temperature as regular household candles.