Ben Carter
Candles are a great way to create a cosy atmosphere, but sometimes they can develop issues such as candle tunneling, which can ruin the look and reduce the burn time of your candle. Candle tunneling occurs when the candle burns down its centre, leaving hard wax around the outside. This guide will provide you with some tips and tricks to fix candle tunneling and restore your candle to its former glory.
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What You'll Learn
Use a hair dryer to melt the wax
If your candle has started to tunnel, you can use a hair dryer to melt the wax and fix the problem. Candle tunnelling occurs when a candle burns down its centre, leaving hard wax around the outside. This looks unsightly and also affects the candle's burn time and scent.
To fix this issue, you can use a hair dryer to melt the wax and create an even surface. First, trim the candle wick to around 1/4 inch to promote an even burn. Then, grab your hair dryer and turn it on. It is recommended to use the dryer on a medium to high heat setting. Do not turn the hair dryer on directly over the candle. Instead, hold it at a distance and slowly move it closer. This will prevent the hair dryer from blowing melted wax everywhere. Continue heating the candle until the top layer of wax has melted and smoothed.
You can also use a small metal spatula or a wick dipper to carefully scrape at the unmelted wax on the sides to help it melt faster. Be gentle to avoid damaging the candle wick or container. Once the entire top surface of the candle has melted, relight your candle and let it burn for at least 30 minutes or until you can no longer see any tunnelling. Then, set your candle aside and let the wax harden over a few days.
Using a hair dryer to melt the wax is a quick and easy way to fix a tunnelled candle and ensure an even burn.
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Wrap the candle in tin foil
Wrapping tin foil around a candle is a great way to fix candle tunneling, a common problem that occurs when a candle burns down its center, leaving hard wax around the outside. This method is relatively easy, but it requires caution as the foil can get hot.
Firstly, light your candle. Then, carefully wrap a layer of foil around the top of the candle, creating a domed lip with a hole in the top. This will allow the heat to stay concentrated within the candle, melting the rim of hard wax on the sides. The tin foil keeps the heat in, increasing the temperature inside, and melts the top layer of wax.
If your flame goes out, this may be because the hole in the foil is too small. Simply widen the hole and try again. It is important to note that this method may not work if the candle has been severely tunnelled. In this case, it may be difficult to salvage the candle.
Once you have removed the foil, take some precautions as the glass may be hot. You can also blow out the candle and wait for it to cool. This method will help to keep the candle container from getting too hot.
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Scrape away excess wax with a spoon
If your candle has started to tunnel, you can fix this issue by scraping away the excess wax with a spoon. This method is a great way to reset the candle's "memory", which is when previously melted wax takes less heat to re-melt, causing the wax to melt at different rates and resulting in a tunnelling effect.
To begin, take a spoon and gently scrape away the unburned wax around the edges of the candle. Be sure to be gentle during this process to avoid damaging the candle wick or the container. Continue scraping until the candle is completely flat and level, with the wax being the same height or lower than the middle part that melts.
Once you have finished scraping, be sure to wipe the spoon clean with a paper towel and dispose of the excess wax in a waste bin. It is important to not pour the wax down the drain as it can cause clogging.
After you have scraped away the excess wax, light your candle and let it burn. This time, ensure that the candle burns long enough for the pool of melted wax to reach the edge of the container. This will help to prevent tunnelling from occurring again.
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Trim the candle wick
Trimming your candle wick is essential for extending the life of your candle, preventing smoke and soot, and ensuring an even burn without tunneling. Tunneling occurs when only a small portion of the wax surrounding the wick melts while the candle is lit, causing the wax to melt down into a narrow, vertical tunnel in the centre of the candle. This can be caused by a flame that is burning too hot as a result of an untrimmed wick.
As a candle burns, cotton and wood wicks start to split and the burnt pieces may break off into the wax, forming debris near the base of the wick. If left alone, this debris can be picked up by the flame and cause the candle to burn faster and hotter than intended. Trimming your candle wicks regularly prevents this type of debris from forming, making your candles last up to 25% longer.
To trim your candle wick, first extinguish the flame and let the candle cool down to room temperature. Using a wick trimmer or another cutting tool, bring the blades towards the wick as parallel to the wax as possible. Trim the wick to a height of 1/4 of an inch above the wax.
For an optimal candle-burning experience, trim your wick at least every 4 hours of burn time. This will ensure a clean and even burn, allowing you to enjoy the beauty and fragrance of your favourite candle for longer.
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Use a candle warmer
Candle warmers are devices that distribute scent from a candle without the use of an open flame. They melt the wax of your candle without the need for a flame, releasing the scent. Candle warmers are a safer alternative to burning candles, especially in spaces with children and pets.
There are two types of candle warmers: top-down and bottom-up. Top-down candle warmers look like little lamps and warm the candle from above the surface, usually with a light bulb. Bottom-up candle warmers, on the other hand, resemble coasters and are mini hot plates that heat the candle from below. When using a bottom-up candle warmer, it is recommended to start with a smaller candle so that the wax melts completely.
Candle warmers are available in both electric and non-electric versions. The electric ones are plugged into an outlet, while the non-electric ones use a small flame, usually from a tealight candle, to melt the wax. It is important to note that candle warmers do not "burn" the wax like a traditional candle, so you may need to dispose of each layer of melted wax once the fragrance has dissipated.
Using a candle warmer can make your candle last longer. Since the wax melts more slowly, the fragrance oil evaporates at a slower rate, prolonging the scent life of your candle. Additionally, the absence of an open flame means that the aroma spreads more slowly, allowing you to enjoy your candle for a more extended period.
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Frequently asked questions
Candle tunneling occurs when a candle burns down its center, leaving hard wax around the outside. This can cause the candle to waste wax, burn for a shorter time, and distribute scent unevenly.
If you catch tunneling early, you can fix it by using a blow dryer on high heat to melt the top layer of wax. You can also use a heat gun or a hair dryer to melt the hardened wax around the edges of the container.
If your candle is showing serious signs of tunneling, you can use the foil method. Light your candle, then carefully wrap a layer of foil around the top of the candle, making a domed lip with a hole in the top. This will allow the heat to stay concentrated within the candle and melt the rim of hard wax on the sides.
To prevent 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 burn your candle. A good rule of thumb is to burn your candle for one hour per inch of its diameter.
