Brooke Martin
Candles can be expensive, so it's frustrating when they burn unevenly, leaving behind wasted wax. This phenomenon is called candle tunneling, and it occurs when only a small circle of wax around the wick melts, instead of the entire surface. Candle tunneling can be caused by a wick that is too small or by not allowing enough time for the wax to melt from edge to edge during the first burn. To fix a tunneling candle, you can use a hairdryer or heat gun to melt the wax evenly, wrap the candle in foil to reflect heat back down, or place the candle in an oven or boiling water to melt the wax. Always remember to trim the wick and be mindful of safety precautions when handling candles.
How to fix a candle that has burned too low
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of issue | Candle tunneling, caused by a wick that is too small or insufficient burning time on first use |
| Prevention | Burn the candle long enough on the first use, so the wax melts from edge to edge |
| Fix | Use a hairdryer on low heat to melt the wax to the edge of the container, wrap the candle with aluminum foil to reflect heat, or scoop out the excess wax with a spoon |
| Wick maintenance | Trim the wick to 1/4 inch before each lighting, use a candle snuffer or wick dipper to extinguish the flame |
| Safety | Never leave a burning candle unattended, be mindful of pets, children, drafts, and nearby flammable objects |
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What You'll Learn
Prevent tunnelling by burning your candle long enough on its first use
Preventing candle tunnelling starts with the first burn. Tunnelling occurs when a candle burns down the middle but leaves unmelted wax around the edges, creating a barrier or "memory" that remains in future lightings. This happens when the first burn is too brief and doesn't allow the wax to melt from edge to edge.
To prevent tunnelling, it's important to burn your candle long enough on its first use to allow the wax to melt evenly across the entire surface. This is known as the "first burn rule". The time required for the first burn depends on the size of the candle, particularly its diameter. A good rule of thumb is to burn the candle for one hour per inch of diameter. For example, a candle with a diameter of 3 inches should be burned for approximately 3 hours on its first use.
By ensuring that the entire surface of the wax melts uniformly during the first burn, you can prevent the formation of the wax memory that leads to tunnelling. This will result in a smooth and flat surface once the candle has cooled, ensuring a longer, cleaner, and safer burn for your candle.
It's also important to note that tunnelling can be caused by other factors, such as a wick that is too small for the size of the candle. In addition to following the first burn rule, make sure to choose high-quality candles with properly sized wicks and trim the wick before each lighting to promote an even burn.
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Use a hair dryer to melt the wax to the edge of the container
If your candle has started to tunnel, there are a few ways to fix it. One common method is to use a hair dryer to melt the wax to the edge of the container. Before you start, make sure you are wearing eye protection and old clothes in case hot wax splatters. It's also a good idea to place some newspaper underneath the candle to protect your table or floor.
First, extinguish the candle flame. Never blow out a candle, as this can cause hot wax to splatter and create excessive smoke. Instead, use a candle snuffer or dip the wick into the wax using a wick dipper. Then, hold the hair dryer over the candle, starting from a distance to avoid splattering wax. Turn it on at a low setting and high heat. Continue heating until the entire top surface of the wax has melted and smoothed over.
If you have a heat gun, you can use this instead of a hair dryer. You can also use a small metal spatula or wick dipper to help scrape and melt the wax faster. Once the wax has melted, let it harden for 4-6 hours before relighting the candle.
Remember, it's important to let a candle cool completely before relighting it. This helps to ensure a longer, cleaner, and safer burn.
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Use aluminium foil to reflect heat back down to the candle's edge
If your candle has burned down the middle, leaving a ring of unmelted wax around the sides, this is known as candle tunnelling. This is often caused by an initial lighting that is too brief, preventing the wax from melting from edge to edge.
To fix this issue, you can use aluminium foil to reflect heat back down to the candle's edge. This method may take a few tries to perfect, and the foil will get hot, so be sure to let it cool before adjusting or removing it.
Firstly, lay out one or more sheets of aluminium foil and wrap them around the outside of the candle. The top of the foil should extend inward over the unmelted wax, while leaving the centre open for the flame. The foil should hang over any built-up wax areas, but ensure that the opening in the centre is large enough to allow plenty of oxygen in as the candle burns.
After one to two hours of burning, the surface of the candle should even out, with a pool of melted wax reaching the edge of the container.
As an alternative to using aluminium foil, you can melt the wax with a hair dryer or heat gun.
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Trim the wick and remove debris inside the tunnel
Trimming the wick of a candle is essential for extending its life, preventing smoke and soot, and ensuring an even burn without tunnelling. As a candle burns, cotton and wood wicks can split, and the burnt pieces may break off into the wax, forming debris near the base of the wick. If left alone, the debris can be picked up by the flame and cause the candle to burn hotter and faster than intended.
To trim the wick, first extinguish the flame and let the candle cool down to room temperature. Using a wick trimmer, scissors, nail clippers, or tweezers, trim the wick to a height of 1/4 inch above the wax. While cutting, ensure that the blades catch the wick debris to prevent it from falling into the wax. Discard the excess soot and debris into a waste bin.
If your wick is buried due to being tilted, bent, or curled, you can use a pair of tweezers or a Q-tip to nudge the wick back to an upright position, ensuring it sticks out above the surface of the wax. Hold it in place until the wax cools.
Once the wick is trimmed and upright, you can use a heat gun or hair dryer to gently heat the top surface of the candle, helping to melt the wax surrounding the tunnel and create a smooth, even surface. This may take several minutes, depending on the heat source and the hardness of the wax. During this process, you can carefully scrape at the unmelted wax on the sides with a wick dipper or small metal spatula to help it melt faster.
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Scoop out the unmelted wax with a spoon
To fix a candle that has burned too low, you can try scooping out the unmelted wax with a spoon. This method is ideal for candles with severe tunnelling, where the sinkhole is 1-2 inches deep.
Firstly, extinguish the candle flame. For safety, it is recommended to use a candle snuffer or a wick dipper to avoid hot wax splatter or excessive smoke. Allow the candle to cool completely before proceeding.
Next, put on some protective clothing and eye protection. Lay out some old newspaper beneath the candle to catch any wax spillage and protect your table or floor.
Now, take a spoon and carefully scoop out the unmelted wax from the sides of the candle. Continue until the wax is level with or slightly lower than the melted wax in the middle. Be gentle and patient during this process to avoid spilling hot wax.
After levelling the wax, your candle is almost ready for relighting. Allow the wax to cool and harden completely before relighting the wick. This usually takes a few hours, but you can also let it sit for a few days to ensure it reaches full hardness.
By removing the unmelted wax, you have effectively removed the candle's "memory" of previous burns. When you relight the candle, it will create a new memory, allowing the wax to melt more evenly and reducing the tunnelling effect.
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Frequently asked questions
Candle tunneling occurs when only a small circle of wax melts around the wick, leaving unburned wax around the edges. This happens when the candle isn't burned long enough during its first use or if the wick is too small for the container.
First, extinguish the candle. Then, use a hairdryer on low speed and high heat to melt the wax all the way to the edge of the container. Hold the hairdryer far away from the candle to prevent splattering wax.
Wrap aluminum foil around the outside of the candle, leaving the center open for the flame. The foil will reflect heat back down to the candle's edge, melting the wax. After 1-2 hours of burning, the candle surface should even out.
To prevent tunneling, burn your candle long enough during its first use so that the wax melts from edge to edge. A good rule of thumb is to burn your candle for one hour per inch of its diameter.
You can place the candle in an oven set to a low temperature (around 200°F or 93°C for 20 minutes or until the wax is melted). Alternatively, you can scoop out the unmelted wax with a spoon until it is level with the melted wax in the middle.
