Jessie Taylor
Candles are a great way to create a cosy atmosphere, but they can be tricky to care for. One common issue is candle tunneling, which occurs when a hole forms down the centre, leaving unused wax at the edges. This can reduce the total burn time of your candle, causing the wick to descend deeper into the wax until the flame goes out. To prevent tunneling, it's important to burn your candle long enough for the entire surface of the wax to melt, which can take around one to two hours. This process is known as the first burn and ensures that the wax softens evenly, preventing the formation of a tunnel. There are also several methods for extinguishing a candle, including blowing it out, using a lid, a wick dipper, or a candle snuffer. Blowing out a candle can cause issues like tunneling and unevenness, so using a wick dipper or candle snuffer is recommended to preserve the quality of the wax and fragrance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ways to put out a candle | Blowing it out, putting a lid on it, using a wick dipper, or using a candle snuffer |
| Recommended ways to put out a candle | Using a wick dipper or a candle snuffer |
| Reason for using a wick dipper or a candle snuffer | To preserve the quality of candle wax and fragrance |
| Reason for not blowing out a candle | Risk of blowing wax everywhere, causing issues like tunneling and unevenness, and allowing the candle wick to emit a lot of smoke |
| Reason for not putting a lid on a candle | Traps the smoke in the candle, fills the vessel with soot, and can cause the lid to suction and break |
| How to reuse candle wax | Melt and pour method, candle warmer, wax melts, floral wax sachets, fire starters |
| How to melt candle wax | Place the candle in a small pot inside a larger pot of simmering water, or place the jar in the oven at the lowest setting |
| How to remove candle wax from a jar | Run hot water over it, freeze the jar, or rub liquid paraffin on it |
| Candle tunneling | A common issue where a hole forms down the center, leaving unused wax at the edges |
| Causes of candle tunneling | Not burning the candle long enough during the first burn, a wick that is too small, or poor candle burning habits |
| How to prevent candle tunneling | Ensure the entire surface of the candle melts during the first burn, use a larger wick, and practice good candle burning habits |
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What You'll Learn
How to prevent candle tunneling
Candle tunneling is a common problem that occurs when a hole forms down the centre of the candle, leaving unused wax at the edges. This happens when only a small portion of the wax surrounding the wick melts while the candle is lit. Tunneling can drastically reduce the total burn time of your candle, as only a fraction of the wax is used up before the wick reaches the bottom.
To prevent candle tunneling, it is important to ensure that the entire top surface of wax is melted during each burn. The first burn is the most important in this regard. A good rule of thumb is to burn your candle for one hour per inch of its diameter. For example, if your candle has a diameter of 3 inches, you should burn it for 3 hours before putting it out.
It is also important to ensure that the wick is the correct size. A candle's wick should usually be about 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch long for an optimal burn. If the wick is too short, it will have a harder time warming the wax from edge to edge, potentially causing tunneling.
If you are unable to burn your candle for long enough to melt the entire top surface of wax, you can try using a top-down candle warming lamp. This will slightly warm the surface of the wax to release the scent without causing tunneling.
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Using a wick dipper
Wick dippers are an essential candle care tool that can enhance your candle experience. They are slender, elegantly designed metal instruments used to submerge the candle's lit wick into the molten wax, extinguishing the flame without producing smoke or soot.
- Place your candle on a flat, stable surface away from drafts to ensure an even burn and prevent unnecessary dripping.
- Use a wick trimmer to trim the candle wick to around 1/4 inch before lighting the candle. This prevents excessive soot and ensures a controlled and even flame.
- Allow the candle to burn until a pool of wax forms around the wick.
- Hold the wick dipper by its handle and position the curved end above the flame without touching it.
- Gently push the wick into the melted wax, submerging it completely. This action extinguishes the flame by cutting off the wick's access to oxygen. It also coats the wick with wax, priming it for the next burn and allowing for an even burn throughout each use.
- Slowly lift the wick back up out of the wax, using the curved tip of the dipper, and reposition it for the next use.
After using the wick dipper, it is important to clean and maintain it properly to ensure its longevity and effectiveness. Here are the steps to clean and maintain your wick dipper:
- Allow the wick dipper to cool down before handling it.
- Wipe off any wax residue with a soft cloth or paper towel. For stubborn wax, you can use a cotton swab dipped in warm water to help loosen it.
- If there is still wax buildup, soak the wick dipper in warm soapy water for about 10 minutes. Avoid submerging the handle if it is made of wood or another material that could warp or stain.
- Dry the wick dipper with a clean towel or allow it to air dry completely before storing it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Optionally, you can polish metal wick dippers with a metal cleaner or a little olive oil to restore their shine.
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Using a candle snuffer
Firstly, ensure your candle snuffer has a long handle to keep your hand away from the hot wax. Place the bell of the snuffer, or the small metal cup at the end of the handle, over the wick of the candle. Lower the bell slowly until it fully envelopes the flame. This action cuts off the oxygen supply to the flame, causing it to gradually extinguish. Hold the snuffer in place for a moment, keeping it over the wick until the flame goes out completely. You may see a small wisp of smoke escape, but this is normal.
Once the flame is out, carefully remove the snuffer and cover the candle with a lid. Be cautious when handling the metal snuffer as it may still be hot. Finally, store the snuffer in a safe, out-of-the-way place. Using a candle snuffer is a cleaner and more efficient way to extinguish candles, preventing the mess and sooty residue that can be left behind when blowing them out. It is a must-have tool, especially if you have pets or small children in the home, to help avoid any accidents.
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Reusing candle wax
If you have a jarred candle, you can melt the wax by placing the jar in a small pot of simmering water. This method is also suitable for pillar or taper candles. Ensure that you rub liquid paraffin on the wax first to help release it from the jar. You can also melt the wax in the oven by preheating the oven to its lowest temperature and placing the jar inside. However, 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 made of metal.
Once the wax is melted, remove the old wicks with tongs and scoop the wax out of the jar. If you're reusing a jar, you can wash it like any other dish and ensure it's thoroughly dry before reusing it.
If you're combining the remnants of several candles, ensure that they are all the same type of wax. You can then reuse the wax to make new candles or votives. To make your own votives, cut a piece of wicking from a craft store that is 2 inches taller than your votive holder. Knot one end and thread the other end through a wick tab, which can also be purchased from a craft store. Dip the wicking and tab into the melted wax to coat them, then press the tab to the bottom of the holder. Rest the skewer on the votive's rim and pour the melted wax into the holder until it's half an inch below the rim. Leave it to set for about an hour, then pour more wax into the centre until it's a quarter of an inch below the rim.
You can also reuse candle wax to make tea lights or floral wax sachets, or add it to a candle warmer.
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Removing wax from a jar
Freezing Method
Place the candle jar in the freezer for several hours or overnight. The cold temperature will cause the wax to harden and shrink, making it easier to remove. After freezing, take the jar out of the freezer and turn it upside down. The wax should pop right out. If it doesn't, use a butter knife or spoon to help loosen and remove the wax. Finally, scrape off any remaining residue and clean the jar with dish soap and water.
Boiling Water Method
This method is especially useful for wide-mouth candles. First, remove as much wax as possible from the jar using a butter knife or spoon. Then, boil some water and carefully pour it into the jar, leaving about an inch of space at the top. The hot water will melt the remaining wax, causing it to float to the surface. Allow the water to cool completely before removing the wax from the top. Be careful not to pour the wax down the drain, as it can clog your pipes.
Oven Method
Preheat your oven to a temperature between 150 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the candle jar upside down on a baking sheet lined with aluminium foil or parchment paper. Put the baking sheet in the oven and monitor the process. The wax should melt and pool on the foil within 15 minutes. Once the wax has dried on the baking sheet, you can remove it and either discard it or reuse it for new candles. After removing the wax, clean the jar with soap and warm water.
Double Boiler Method
Place the candle jar in a pot or large metal bowl on a heat-safe surface. You can use a folded dish towel to keep the jar stable. Pour boiling water into the pot, ensuring it doesn't get into the candle jar. Allow the jar to sit in the hot water until the wax softens. Then, remove the jar from the water, and the wax should pop out easily. Finally, wash the jar with soap and water.
Microwave Method
If you have small bits of wax remaining in the jar after using one of the above methods, you can try the microwave method. Place the jar in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Make sure your jar is microwave-safe before doing this. The wax will melt, and you can simply wipe it away with a paper towel.
Remember to always be cautious when handling hot water, ovens, and microwaves. Protect your hands with oven mitts when necessary, and ensure you are working on a heat-safe surface.
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Frequently asked questions
Using a wick dipper or a candle snuffer are the two recommended ways to put out a candle without damaging it or causing issues with wax such as tunneling and unevenness.
Candle tunneling is when a hole forms down the centre of the candle, leaving unused wax at the edges. This happens when only a small portion of wax surrounding the wick melts while the candle is lit. To prevent tunneling, ensure that during the first burn, you burn the candle long enough to let the entire surface melt.
Leftover wax can be reused in a variety of ways. First, melt and remove the wax from its vessel. Then, remove old wicks with tongs. You can then pour the wax into small moulds of your choosing, add a few drops of essential oil, and let the wax harden.
To remove wax from a candle holder, you can run hot water over it. Alternatively, you can place the candle holder in the freezer, which will allow the wax to shrink and easily pop out.
