Ben Carter
Candle tunneling, or burrowing, is a common issue that occurs when a candle burns down the center, leaving unmelted wax at the edges. This results in an uneven melt, reducing the burn time and wasting the remaining wax and fragrance. While it is best to prevent tunneling by ensuring the entire top surface of wax melts when the candle is first lit, there are several methods to fix a burrowing candle, including using aluminum foil, a hairdryer, or an oven to melt the wax surrounding the tunnel and create an even surface.
How to fix a burrowing candle
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | A small portion of wax around the wick melts while the candle is burning, instead of the entire surface melting evenly. |
| Prevention | Burn the candle long enough each time so that the entire top surface of wax is melted. |
| Solution 1 | Wrap aluminum foil around the edges, leaving an opening in the center for the wick. |
| Solution 2 | Use a hair dryer or heat gun on the highest setting to heat the wax on the top surface of the candle. |
| Solution 3 | Place the candle in an oven at 175°F for about 2-5 minutes to melt the wax evenly. |
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What You'll Learn
Use aluminium foil to wrap the candle's edges
A burrowing or tunnelling candle is caused by the wick burning straight down the centre, resulting in a vertical tunnel of melted wax surrounded by hard wax. This can be prevented by burning the candle long enough for the entire top surface of wax to melt.
One solution to fix a tunnelling candle is to use aluminium foil to wrap the candle's edges. This method works by trapping the heat of the flame, allowing the surrounding wax to melt and creating an even surface.
To use this method, first light the candle. Then, take a piece of aluminium foil and wrap it around the outside edge of the candle, ensuring that the foil covers any built-up wax areas. It is important to leave an opening in the centre of the foil so that the wick can still burn properly and receive enough oxygen.
After a couple of hours, the wax should melt and even out, creating a smooth surface. Once the wax has melted to the edges of the container, the foil can be removed.
It is worth noting that the size and type of candle, as well as the quality of the wax and shape of the container, may affect the success of this method. For larger candles, it is crucial to ensure that the flame is strong enough to generate sufficient heat to melt the wax.
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Heat the candle's surface with a hair dryer
Tunnelling or burrowing occurs when only a small portion of the wax around the wick of a candle melts while it is burning. This causes the flame to appear as though it is carving out a vertical tunnel in the candle. To fix this, you can use a hair dryer to melt the wax on the top surface of the candle.
First, lay some newspaper around the candle to protect the surface beneath it from any splatters of wax. Trim the wick and remove any debris inside the tunnel. Then, turn on your hair dryer to the low speed and high heat settings. Start heating the candle from a distance, and slowly move the hair dryer closer until you find an appropriate distance where it won't blow hot wax everywhere. Continue heating until the wax has completely melted and smoothed over. This may take several minutes, depending on how hot your hair dryer gets.
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. Depending on the type of wax, this can take between 2 days to 2 weeks. Finally, trim the wick and remove any debris inside the tunnel. Your candle should now be reset, with a smooth surface for subsequent burns.
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Put the candle in the oven at a low temperature
If your candle is tunneling, you can fix it by putting it in the oven at a low temperature. Firstly, ensure that your candle is in an oven-safe holder. If you are unsure, opt for the tin foil method or hair dryer method instead. If you've ascertained that the candle holder is oven-safe, place the candle on a cookie sheet and pop it in the oven at 175°F for 2-5 minutes, or until the wax has melted to the edge of the container. You can also try boiling some water and placing your candle in it, ensuring that the candle container is safe for boiling.
Candle tunneling occurs when only a small portion of the wax around the wick melts while the candle is burning, causing the flame to burrow into the wax and create a small, vertical tunnel. This reduces the burn time of the candle, wasting the remaining wax and fragrance. To prevent tunneling, it is important to burn your candle long enough each time so that the entire top surface of the wax melts. When using a candle for the first time, it is recommended to let it burn for several hours until the wax melts into an even pool. Trimming the wick and keeping the candle away from drafts can also help prevent tunneling.
If you don't want to use the oven method, there are other ways to fix candle tunneling. One popular method is to wrap aluminum foil around the outside edge of the candle, ensuring that the foil reaches over the tunneled wax. You can then light the candle and let it burn for a few hours, allowing the trapped heat to melt the outer wax and even out the surface. Another method is to use a hair dryer on its lowest setting to heat the entire surface of the candle gradually. Continue heating until the entire surface melts, then light the candle and let it burn for at least 30 minutes. Let the wax harden for a few days before burning it again.
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Trim the wick and remove debris
Trimming the wick of a candle is an essential part of candle care. As a candle burns, the wick starts to split and break off into the wax, forming debris near the base. If left alone, the debris can be picked up by the flame and cause the candle to burn hotter and faster than intended. Trimming the wick prevents this debris from forming and makes candles last up to 25% longer.
To trim the wick, first extinguish the flame and let the candle cool down to room temperature. Then, using a wick trimmer, scissors, nail clippers, or tweezers, trim the wick down to a height of 1/4 inches above the wax. While cutting, ensure that no debris is left in the candle, as it may pose a fire hazard. Instead, allow the blades to catch the wick debris to prevent it from falling into the wax. Discard the excess soot and debris into a waste bin.
Trimming the wick helps to reduce soot and promotes a cleaner, longer, and more fragrant burn. It is recommended to trim the wick before each burn to help maintain good flame hygiene. By trimming the wick, you can also prevent mushrooming, which is when a clump of sooty carbon buildup forms on the top of the wick and causes excess smoke and soot.
In addition to trimming the wick, it is important to remove any debris inside the tunnel of the candle. This can be done by using a heat gun or hair dryer to melt the wax on the top surface of the candle. You can carefully poke at the solid wax on the sides with a toothpick to help it melt faster. Continue heating until the entire top surface of the wax has completely melted and smoothed over.
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Prevent tunnelling by burning the candle long enough
Preventing candle tunnelling is all about creating an even burn from the first time you light your candle. This is because the way a candle burns during its initial lighting often indicates how it will continue to burn thereafter. If a candle doesn't melt to the edges on the initial burn, it is likely to continue burning straight down, creating the tunnel effect.
The best way to prevent tunnelling is to 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 your candle. How long this takes depends on the size of the candle. 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 let it burn for 3 hours before putting it out.
If you are burning your candle for the first time, it usually takes 1-2 hours for the wax to melt to the edge of the container, depending on the size of the candle's surface. Three-wick candles tend to burn the best and shouldn't have an issue with tunnelling.
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