Maddie James
Candles are a great way to create a cosy atmosphere, but they can be frustrating when they start to tunnel. Candle tunnelling occurs when a candle burns down the middle, leaving unused wax at the edges. This common problem can be caused by a variety of factors, including the size of the wick, the length of the initial lighting, and exposure to drafts. Luckily, there are several ways to fix a tunneling candle and prevent it from happening again.
How to fix a candle
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Problem | Candle tunneling |
| Cause | Candle not burned carefully |
| Solution 1 | Use aluminum foil to reflect heat back to the candle's edge to melt the wax |
| Solution 2 | Melt the outer wax surrounding the tunnel to even the surface |
| Solution 3 | Burn the candle for one hour per inch of its diameter |
| Solution 4 | Trim the wick and use a wick dipper to extinguish the flame without smoke or soot |
| Solution 5 | Use a candle topper to protect the flame from drafts |
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What You'll Learn
Use aluminium foil to reflect heat to the candle's edge
If your candle has started to tunnel, you can use aluminium foil to reflect heat to the candle's edge. This method may take a few tries to get right, and the foil will get hot, so be careful to let it cool before adjusting or removing it.
First, take a sheet or two of aluminium foil and wrap it around the outside of the candle. The foil should cover the outer edge of the candle, extending inward over the unmelted wax, while leaving the centre open for the flame. The foil should reach over the tunneled wax, but not cover the candle too much, as the flame needs oxygen to burn.
The aluminium foil reflects heat back down to the candle's edge, helping to melt the wax. After one to two hours of burning, the candle's surface should even out, with a pool of melted wax reaching the edge of the container.
You can also use this method as a temporary fix to melt the wax, removing the foil once the surface is level again.
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Melt the outer wax surrounding the tunnel
To fix candle tunneling, you need to melt the outer wax surrounding the tunnel to even out the surface. This can be done in several ways. Firstly, you could use an external heat source such as a heat gun or a hair dryer to melt the hardened wax around the edges of the container. This method will take some time, especially if the sinkhole is deep, and you should wear eye protection and old clothes when attempting it. Alternatively, you could wrap aluminium foil around the outside of the candle, leaving the centre open for the flame, to reflect heat back down to the candle's edge and melt the wax. This method may also take a few tries and you should be careful when removing the hot foil. A third option is to place the candle in the oven at a low temperature for 20 minutes or until the wax is liquid and flat.
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Scrape away unburned wax with a spoon or knife
When a candle isn't burned carefully, candle tunneling occurs. This is when a hole forms down the centre, leaving unused wax at the edges. To fix this issue, you can try to melt the wax around the tunnel and make the surface even again.
One way to do this is by using a spoon or a knife to scrape away the unburned wax. Here are some detailed steps on how to do this effectively:
Firstly, it is important to let the wax cool and solidify. This will make it easier to remove. If there is a large amount of wax left, about 1.5 inches or more, you can place the candle in the freezer overnight. This will cause the wax to shrink and separate from the walls of the container.
Once the wax is cool and solidified, use a spoon or a butter knife to gently scrape and pop out as much wax as possible. Be careful not to scratch or damage the surface of the candle container. If there is a lot of wax, you may need to scoop out multiple times.
After removing the majority of the wax with a spoon or knife, you can use other methods to melt and remove the remaining wax. For example, you can use a hairdryer or heat gun to melt the leftover wax and then use a paper towel to wipe it out. Alternatively, you can fill the container with boiling water, leaving some space at the top, and let the wax float to the surface. Once the water has cooled, you can remove the wax.
By following these steps and using a combination of scraping with a spoon or knife and melting the wax, you can effectively remove unburned wax from your candle and fix the issue of candle tunneling.
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Put the candle in a low oven to melt the wax evenly
If your candle has started to tunnel, you can fix this by melting the outer wax surrounding the tunnel to make the surface even again. One way to do this is to put the candle in a low oven to melt the wax evenly.
To do this, preheat your oven to its lowest setting. Remove any labels or stickers from the candle jar. Place the candle inside the oven, ensuring that it is on a level surface. Leave the candle in the oven until the wax has melted.
It is important to note that you should never put a jarred candle in the microwave, as the metal discs that attach the wick to the holder can be heated, causing damage.
Always use oven mitts or pot holders when handling hot items, and wear safety goggles or glasses to prevent wax from splashing into your eyes. Have a fire extinguisher nearby in case of a fire. Do not use water to extinguish a wax fire.
If your candle has severely tunnelled, it may be difficult to salvage. You may need to spend a lot of time melting and removing the extra wax. However, if the sinkhole is shallow, you can fix the tunnelling without too much trouble.
Another option to fix candle tunnelling is to use aluminium foil to reflect heat back down to the candle's edge, aiding in melting the wax. This method may take a few tries to get right, and the foil will get hot, so be careful when adjusting or removing it.
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Trim the wick to promote an even and clean burn
Trimming your candle's wick is a crucial step in ensuring an even and clean burn. By trimming the wick, you can control the flame size and prevent the candle from burning too quickly or unevenly.
The ideal wick length for an optimal burn varies depending on the candle, but a good rule of thumb is to maintain a length of about 1/4 inch. This length ensures the candle burns at a steady pace and reduces the risk of "mushrooming," a buildup of sooty carbon that can form a mushroom-like shape on the wick.
To achieve this, use a wick trimmer or sharp scissors. Approach the wick from the top and cut it straight across, not at an angle, for a cleaner burn. It is best to trim the wick before lighting the candle and to ensure it is extinguished and cooled before trimming.
Regular wick trimming helps prevent issues such as tunneling, where only a small portion of the wax around the wick melts, creating an uneven burn. It also reduces the amount of smoke and soot produced by the candle, keeping your space cleaner and reducing the risk of stains on your walls or candle vessel.
By following these simple steps and maintaining a trimmed wick, you can enjoy a longer-lasting candle with a clean and even burn.
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Frequently asked questions
Candle tunneling is when a hole forms down the centre of the candle, leaving unused wax at the edges. To fix this, you can melt the sides of the candle with an external heat source, such as a hairdryer or a heat gun, to reset the "memory" of the wax.
To prevent candle tunneling, burn your candle long enough each time so that the entire top surface of wax is melted. This is especially important the first time you light a new candle.
Other methods to fix candle tunneling include using aluminium foil to reflect heat back down to the candle's edge, melting the wax evenly. You can also try using a candle topper, which is an open metal lid that keeps the flame protected from wind and drafts, allowing the wax to melt evenly.
Candle tunneling occurs when a new candle is lit for a short time, which doesn't allow for the melted pool of wax to reach the edge of the candle. This can also be caused by a wick that is too small or off-centre.
