Tyler Brooks
Candle tunneling is a common issue that occurs when only a small circle of wax around the wick melts while the candle is burning, instead of the entire surface. This results in an uneven burn and wasted wax. Tunneling can be caused by a wick that is too small or by poor candle burning habits, especially during the first burn. To fix this issue, you can forcibly melt the entire surface of the wax to reset its memory and allow it to settle back into a smooth, even surface. This can be done using a hairdryer or by wrapping aluminum foil around the candle to reflect heat back down to the edge.
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What You'll Learn
Pay attention to the first burn
The first time you light a new candle is the most important step in ensuring it burns evenly in the future. This is because candle wax has a "memory". If only part of the wax is allowed to melt and harden again, that same part will melt faster than the surrounding parts during subsequent burns. This is because once wax has melted and hardened again, its heat absorption properties change. Therefore, an incomplete first burn creates a portion of wax that melts faster, causing your wax pool to grow vertically deeper (forming a tunnel) instead of expanding outwards (burning evenly).
To prevent this from happening, make sure you allow enough time for the entire surface of the candle to melt evenly during the first burn. This usually takes at least an hour or two, depending on the size of the candle. A basic guideline is one hour per inch in diameter. If the candle is made correctly, it will eventually melt the sides and there won't be any tunneling.
If you only let the wax in the centre melt before blowing out the candle, the surrounding wax that didn't melt will be harder in comparison, and the candle will continue to tunnel during future burns.
If your candle has already started to tunnel, you can try to reset its memory by forcibly melting the entire surface of the wax and allowing it to settle back into a smooth, even surface. This can be done by using an external heat source such as a heat gun or a hair dryer to melt the hardened wax around the edges of the container. Another method is to wrap aluminium foil around the outside of the candle so that the top extends inward over the unmelted wax, reflecting heat back down to the candle's edge to aid in melting the wax.
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Use an external heat source
To even out a candle with an external heat source, you can use a heat gun or a hair dryer on low speed and high heat. Gently heat the top surface of the candle from a safe distance. If there is unmelted wax on the sides, carefully scrape it with a wick dipper or small metal spatula to help the wax melt faster. Continue heating until the entire top surface of the wax has completely melted and smoothed over. This may take several minutes, depending on how hot your heat source gets.
Be patient and careful during this process, and wear eye protection and clothes that can be washed if wax gets on them. Once the wax has melted, relight your candle and let it burn for at least 30 minutes or until you can no longer see any signs of tunnelling. Then, set your candle aside and let the wax harden over the next few days. The time it takes for the wax to harden will depend on the type of wax used. For example, paraffin wax can take about two days to harden, while soy or coconut wax can take up to two weeks.
Using an external heat source to melt the hardened wax around the edges of the candle "resets the memory" of the wax. This widens the melt pool, allowing it to reach all the way to the edges. By addressing tunnelling in this way, you can promote a more even burn in the future.
To prevent tunnelling from occurring in the first place, it is important to ensure that the initial burn of a new candle is proper and consistent. Make sure to light the candle for at least one hour per inch of its diameter during the initial burn. This will allow the wax to melt evenly and create a foundation for future burns. Additionally, avoid blowing out the flame, as this can cause wax to splatter and lead to uneven burning. Instead, use a snuffer or gently dip the wick into the melted wax using tweezers to extinguish the flame safely.
Other factors that can contribute to even candle burning include proper wick trimming, selecting quality materials, and mindful burning practices. Regularly trim the wick to an appropriate length to avoid uneven melting, especially if you have a uniquely shaped candle or a candle with added fragrances or additives. Choose high-quality wax and wicks, and place your candle on a flat, heat-resistant surface away from drafts or air conditioners that may cause uneven burning.
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Remove the memory
Candle tunneling is a common issue that can significantly reduce the lifespan of your candles. This happens when the wick burns straight down the middle, leaving hard wax around the outside. Candle tunneling is often the result of the first lighting being too brief, creating what is known as a candle's "memory". This memory is set during the first burn and determines how the candle will melt for the rest of its life.
There are several ways to remove the memory and fix candle tunneling:
The Hair Dryer Method
Use a hair dryer to melt and smooth out the wax of a tunneled candle. First, extinguish the flame if it is lit. Then, lay some newspaper around the candle to catch any wax splatters. Direct the hair dryer at the unmelted edges of the candle from about six inches away, using a high heat and low-speed setting. Continue until the wax begins to soften and smooth out.
The Foil Method
Wrap a sheet of aluminum foil around the outside of the candle, leaving an opening in the centre for the flame. Ensure the foil hangs over any built-up wax areas. After a couple of hours, the heat from the flame will have melted the wax, and the surface should be level again.
The Oven Method
Place your candle in an oven preheated to 170-175 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-5 minutes. This will melt the candle surface and reset the memory.
The Spoon Method
Use a spoon to scoop out the unmelted wax until it is level with the melted wax in the middle. When you next light the candle, be sure to let it burn long enough for the wax to reach the edges and reset the memory.
Preventing Candle Tunneling
To prevent candle tunneling in the first place, it is recommended that you let your candle burn for 2-3 hours during its first lighting. Always keep the wick trimmed to 1/4-1/8 inch, which will help create the right-sized flame and prevent soot. Additionally, consider buying candles with multiple wicks if they are 4" or wider, to ensure the entire area of wax receives enough heat.
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Ensure proper wick size
Choosing the right wick size is crucial for an even burn and optimal fragrance release. The correct size depends on various factors, including the type of wax, fragrance load, dye type, and container diameter. For example, single pour paraffin waxes and vegetable-based (soy) waxes generally require a larger wick size. Beeswax, being sticky and hard, pairs best with cotton braid wicking, which curls upon lighting, reducing carbon buildup.
Fragrances and additives can affect the candle's burn performance. Therefore, it is recommended to use a wick guide as a starting point for testing. For instance, if an LX 14 wick results in an under-wicked candle, try the next size up, an LX 16. It is also good to periodically test your candles to ensure that variances in wax or fragrances still work well with the chosen wick size.
Conducting a burn test is essential to determine the best wick size for your candle. This involves burning a few different wick types with the same vessel, wax, and fragrance oil to observe their performance. It is recommended to make at least five candles with different wick sizes and brands for a comprehensive comparison. During the burn test, note the presence of soot, mushrooming (carbon buildup), and the evenness of the burn pool. A properly sized wick will produce a full melt pool, indicating the wax has melted to the edge of the vessel.
When using multiple wicks, such as double or triple wicks, ensure they are evenly spaced in the vessel, not too close or far apart, and not too near the glass. For a 5" diameter candle with double wicks, start testing with a wick size meant for a 2.5" diameter candle. Keep the wicks centred and spaced about 1" apart to prevent overheating.
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all wick, and finding the right size may require experimentation. Testing is crucial to success, and you may need to make small adjustments to perfect your candle-making process.
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Use aluminium foil
If your candle has started to tunnel, you can use aluminium foil to fix it. This occurs when the wick burns straight down the centre, leaving an unused ring of wax around the sides.
Firstly, trim the wick and get rid of any debris. Then, cut a strip of aluminium foil and wrap it around the top of the candle, creating a "hat" or tent shape. Make sure the foil is snug and hangs over any built-up wax areas, but leave a small opening in the centre for the wick to peek through and the flame to burn.
With the foil in place, light your candle and let it burn for one to two hours. The foil will act as a heat reflector, distributing the heat evenly throughout the wax and helping to melt the leftover wax. After one to two hours, the wax should be liquefied evenly. Blow out the candle and let it cool.
This method can also be used to prevent tunnelling in the first place.
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Frequently asked questions
Candle tunnelling occurs when only a small circle of wax melts around the wick while the candle is burning, instead of across the entire surface of the candle.
Candle tunnelling can be caused by a wick that is too small for the size of the candle, or by not allowing enough time on the first burn to melt the entire surface evenly.
To prevent candle tunnelling, allow enough time on the first burn to melt the entire surface of the candle. You should burn the candle for one hour per inch of diameter. Keep the wick trimmed to 1/4 inch before each burn.
Wrap aluminium foil around the outside of the candle, leaving the centre open for the flame. The heat trapped by the foil will help melt the outer wax, evening out the wax pool.
Turn on your hairdryer and gently warm the top layer of the candle until the wax melts evenly. Smooth out the surface with a spoon if needed.
