Maddie James
There are several ways to fix a candle that has melted unevenly, a phenomenon known as candle tunneling. Candle tunneling occurs when a candle burns down its centre, leaving hard wax around the outside. This can be caused by a wick that is too small, or by failing to burn the candle long enough during its first few burns, preventing an initial layer of wax from melting to the edge of the candle container. To fix this, you can melt the outer wax surrounding the tunnel with a hairdryer, heat gun, or by placing the candle in the oven for a few minutes. You can also use foil to reflect heat back down to the candle's edge, aiding in melting the wax. If the wick is swallowed up in wax, you may need to replace it.
How to fix a candle that has melted unevenly
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Problem | Candle tunneling |
| Cause | Candle wasn't burned long enough during its first few burns |
| Cause | Improperly sized wick that doesn't produce enough heat |
| Cause | Drafty conditions |
| Solution | Melt the entire candle surface with a hair dryer or heat gun |
| Solution | Put the candle in the oven at a low temperature for 5-20 minutes |
| Solution | Use tin foil to reflect heat back down to the candle's edge |
| Solution | Scoop out the unmelted wax with a spoon |
| Solution | Trim the wick to 1/8-1/4 inch |
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What You'll Learn
Use a hairdryer to melt the wax and smooth the surface
If your candle has started to tunnel, you can use a hairdryer to melt the wax and smooth the surface. This method works best if the candle has just started to tunnel, as it can be difficult to salvage if the sinkhole is too deep.
First, extinguish the candle flame if it is lit. Then, put on some old clothes and eye protection, and lay out some newspaper to protect your surfaces. Take your hairdryer and turn it on at a low speed and high heat. Hold it at a distance from the candle and slowly move it closer until you find an appropriate distance where the hairdryer won't blow melted wax. Aim the hairdryer at the top surface of the candle and continue heating until the wax has completely melted and smoothed over.
Once the wax has melted, let it harden for a few days to reach full hardness. After this, trim the wick to 1/4 inch to promote an even and clean burn.
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Put the candle in the oven to melt the wax
If your candle has started to tunnel, one way to fix it is to put it in the oven to melt the wax. This method works best if the candle has just started to tunnel, to prevent it from getting worse.
First, preheat your oven to 175 °F (79 °C). Place the candle in the middle of a cookie sheet and put it in the oven for 5 minutes. Then, take the candle out of the oven using oven mitts to protect your hands. If you still see signs of tunnelling, return the candle to the oven and check again after 1-2 minutes.
You can also use a hair dryer or heat gun to melt the wax and fix minor tunnelling. Heat the top layer of wax with a hair dryer on medium or high heat. Hold the hair dryer or heat gun far away from the candle and slowly move it closer. Continue heating until the entire surface of the wax has melted and smoothed over.
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Remove excess wax with a spoon
If your candle has started to tunnel, one way to fix it is to remove the excess wax with a spoon. This method may take a few tries to get right, and it's important to be careful as the foil can get hot.
First, wrap some foil around the outside of the candle, ensuring that the top extends inward over the unmelted wax, leaving the centre open for the flame. The foil will reflect heat back down towards the candle's edge, aiding in melting the wax.
After burning the candle for 1-2 hours, remove the foil and scoop out the unmelted wax with a spoon. Be gentle to avoid damaging the wick or container. Continue until the wax is level with the melted section in the middle.
Once you're happy with the result, light the candle and let it burn for long enough for the pool of melted wax to reach the edge of the container. This will help to remove the "memory" of the wax, preventing further tunnelling.
Be sure to wipe the spoon with a paper towel and dispose of the wax in a waste bin.
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Replace the wick
If your candle has tunnelled too deeply, or the wick is stuck in wax, you may need to replace the wick. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Firstly, you will need to buy a replacement wick. You can usually find these at your local hobby store, but there is no guarantee they will be the right size for your candle. If you can't find a suitable wick, you can try using a piece of waxed twine or a piece of cotton string soaked in melted wax.
Next, you will need to remove the old wick. If it is still stuck to the bottom of the candle jar, use a pair of needle-nose pliers to pull out the wick tab and remove the old wick.
Once the old wick is out, use a toothpick or skewer to make a hole for the replacement wick. You may need to cut off the wick tab if the new wick is too long. Don't worry about gaps between the new wick and the wax. Once the candle is lit, the liquid wax will fill in these gaps.
Your new wick might not have a tab, so it may tip over when the candle reaches the end of its life. However, this shouldn't affect the performance of the candle too much, and it's better than never using the candle again!
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Use foil to reflect heat back to the candle
If your candle has started to tunnel, one way to fix it is to use foil to reflect heat back to the candle. 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.
Start by ripping off a piece of aluminium foil that is long enough to wrap around your candle's container. You can then craft a shiny foil collar for your candle, leaving a little window for the wick. This nifty trick helps the flame work harder, melting those stubborn edges. It works by concentrating the flame's heat, thwarting future tunneling.
Before lighting the candle, trim the wick down to a 1/4-inch height. Wrap the foil around the top edges of the candle while it's lit, ensuring the top extends inward over the unmelted wax, leaving the centre open for the flame. After 1-2 hours of burning, your candle surface should even out with a pool of melted wax reaching the edges of the container.
Once the wax has cooled and solidified, trim the wick again to promote an even and clean burn. Then, relight your candle and enjoy its renewed glow.
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Frequently asked questions
To fix a candle that has tunnelled, you need to melt the outer wax surrounding the tunnel and make the surface even again. You can do this by using a hairdryer, oven, or heat gun. If the tunnelling is severe, it may be difficult to salvage the candle.
To prevent tunnelling, make sure 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 burn your candle. A good rule of thumb is to burn your candle for one hour per inch of its diameter.
Tunnelling occurs when a candle burns down its centre, leaving hard wax around the outside. This can be caused by an incorrectly sized wick or when a candle is not burned long enough during its first few burns.
If your candle wick is covered in wax, you can use a spoon or a butter knife to gently scrape away the wax. If the wick is stuck, you may need to replace it with a new one.
