Jessie Taylor
Candles are a great way to create a cosy atmosphere, but they can sometimes be frustrating to deal with when they start to melt unevenly or become misshapen. This is known as candle tunneling, and it happens when a candle isn't burned long enough for the wax to melt evenly, creating a 'tunnel' down the centre. Luckily, there are several ways to fix this issue and restore your candle to its original shape. Some common methods include using a hairdryer or heat gun to melt the top layer of wax, creating an even surface, or placing the candle in the oven at a low temperature for a few minutes to soften the wax. Other techniques involve using aluminium foil to reflect heat back to the candle's edge, melting the wax in a double boiler, or scooping out the excess wax with a spoon or knife.
How to fix melted candles
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prevention | Burn the candle long enough for the entire top surface to melt, especially during the first burn |
| Fix tunneling | Use a hairdryer, heat gun, oven, or candle warmer to melt the surface and smooth it out |
| Wrap the wick around a heatproof utensil to keep it centered | |
| Cover the candle with tinfoil to redirect heat back to the wax | |
| Trim the wick to 1/4 inch | |
| Prop up the wick with chopsticks or pencils until the wax hardens |
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What You'll Learn
Use a hair dryer to melt the wax
If your candle is misshapen due to candle tunneling, you can use a hair dryer to melt the wax and fix the issue. Candle tunneling occurs when only a small circle of wax around the wick melts while the candle is burning, instead of the entire surface of the candle. This creates a tunnel in the centre of the candle, causing the wick to drown in wax and the candle to go out.
To fix this, start by extinguishing the candle flame. Then, use a hair dryer on a low setting and hold it far away from the candle, slowly moving it closer until you reach an appropriate distance. You don't want to be too close, as this will cause melted wax to splatter. Continue heating the wax until the top layer has melted and smoothed out. You can also carefully scrape at the unmelted wax on the sides with a wick dipper or small metal spatula to help it melt faster.
This process can take several minutes, depending on how hot your hair dryer gets, so patience is key. Once the wax has melted and smoothed, relight your candle and let it burn for at least 30 minutes or until you can no longer see any tunneling. Finally, set your candle aside and let the wax harden over a few days.
By using a hair dryer to melt the wax, you are resetting the "memory" of the wax, allowing it to widen the melt pool and reach the edges of the container. This will help your candle burn more evenly and avoid the issue of tunneling in the future.
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Put the candle in the oven
If your candle has warped or lost its shape, you can put it in the oven to melt the wax and reshape it. Here are some steps to follow:
First, prepare your oven and candle. Set your oven to a low temperature, around 175-180 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use an oven thermometer to ensure the temperature is accurate. Place a baking sheet or pan in the oven, lined with foil or parchment paper, to catch any drips and make cleanup easier.
Next, place your candle on the prepared baking sheet or pan. Ensure the candle is in a heat-safe container, such as a glass jar, before putting it in the oven. Be careful not to spill any wax, as it can be difficult to remove once it hardens.
Now, heat your candle in the oven for a few minutes. Keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't overheat and that the wax is melting evenly. The time needed will depend on the size of your candle and the amount of wax that needs to melt.
Once the wax has melted to your desired level, remove the candle from the oven. Be very careful, as the wax and container will be hot. Use oven mitts or heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands. Have a spot ready to place the hot candle, such as a heat-resistant surface or a trivet.
Finally, allow the candle to cool and harden. You may need to adjust the wick, as it may not stand up straight in liquid wax. You can use a skewer, toothpick, or chopsticks to prop it up until the wax hardens.
By following these steps, you can safely use your oven to melt and reshape a warped candle, giving it a smooth and even appearance.
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Use a candle warmer
If your candle has melted and misshapen during transit, you can use a candle warmer to fix it. Candle warmers are electric devices designed to melt candles without an open flame. They produce a consistent and uniform heat that melts the wax evenly from the bottom up, preventing tunneling and maximising burn time.
To use a candle warmer, place your candle on the warmer and turn it on. The heat from the warmer will melt the wax, and you won't need to worry about the wick being improperly placed or the glass getting too hot. You can also use a coffee cup warmer, which works in a similar way.
If you don't have a candle warmer, you can try using a hair dryer or blow dryer on its highest heat setting, pointing it directly at the top of the candle. This will melt the top layer of wax, creating an even surface and potentially exposing a buried wick. You can also try putting your candle in the oven at 175 °F (79 °C) for 5 minutes to help melt the wax evenly. Make sure to use a heat-proof container and monitor the candle to avoid overheating.
Once the wax has melted, you may need to adjust the wick. Centre the wick and push it towards the unmelted side. Trim the wick to about 1/4 inch to promote an even and clean burn. Let the wax cool and solidify before relighting the candle.
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Melt wax in a pot of water
Melting wax in a pot of water is a great way to fix a misshapen candle. This method can also be used to create your own candles from scratch. Here is a step-by-step guide:
First, prepare your workspace. You will need a large pot and a smaller pot that can fit inside it comfortably without touching the bottom of the larger pot. Fill the larger pot with about 2 inches (5.1 cm) of water. Place the smaller pot inside the larger one. This setup is known as a double boiler and is an effective way to gently heat substances without direct contact with a heat source.
Next, prepare your wax. Cut the wax into pieces no bigger than 1 inch wide to increase the surface area and speed up melting. If you are fixing a misshapen candle, you may need to remove the wick first. This can be done by placing the wax in the freezer for a few hours, which will make the wax easier to pry out with a gentle implement like a chopstick.
Now, place the wax pieces into the smaller pot of your double boiler setup. The amount of wax you use will depend on the size of your container and the number of candles you wish to make. A good rule of thumb is to use about 1/2 pound (230 grams) of wax to fill an 8-ounce (230-gram) mason jar.
Turn on the heat source and bring the water in the larger pot to a simmer. Be careful not to let the water level get too high, as you don't want it spilling into your wax. Different types of wax have different melting points, so keep an eye on the wax as it heats. Paraffin wax, for example, melts at temperatures above 99 °F (37 °C). Heat the wax between 320 and 340 °F (160 to 171 °C) for 10 to 15 minutes. Avoid heating the wax above 340 °F (171 °C), and never go near 390 °F (199 °C) to prevent the wax from catching fire.
Once the wax has melted, you can add fragrances and colours if desired. Stir continuously with a wooden spoon for about 30 seconds to distribute the additives evenly. If you are creating a new candle, you can also place your wicks in the containers at this point.
Finally, carefully pour the melted wax into your chosen container and allow it to cool. If you are fixing a misshapen candle, simply pour the wax back into its original container. If you are creating a new candle, you can use a variety of containers, such as vintage teacups or mason jars.
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Wrap foil around the candle
Wrapping foil around the candle is a common trick to fix a misshapen candle and prevent tunnelling. Tunnelling occurs when only a small portion of the wax surrounding the wick melts while the candle is lit, instead of the entire surface of the candle melting evenly.
To use the foil method, rip off a piece of aluminium foil and make sure it is long enough to wrap around the candle's container. Fold the foil in half lengthwise and wrap it around the top edge of the candle. Fold the edges over the top of the candle, but leave a hole in the middle directly above the wick. The flame should be able to get through the hole. The foil helps trap the heat from the candle's flame, so it will melt more of the wax.
It is important to note that the foil method is a temporary fix. Once the wax on the surface has melted and become level, you can remove the foil. You may need to do this process once or twice to correct the shape of your candle.
In addition to the foil method, there are other ways to fix candle tunnelling. One way is to use a hair dryer on its highest heat setting and wave the nozzle over the candle for around 2-3 minutes to soften the wax and make it melt evenly. Another way is to let the wax melt to the edge of the container, especially during the first burn of a new candle.
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Frequently asked questions
You can fix a misshapen candle by melting it down and reshaping it. You can do this by putting it in the oven at 175 °F (79 °C) for 5 minutes, using a hairdryer on the highest setting, or using a candle warmer.
To fix a candle that has tunnelled, you need to melt the outer wax surrounding the tunnel to make the surface even again. You can do this by wrapping foil around the top edges of your candle while it's lit, using a hairdryer, or melting the wax in a wax warmer.
To prevent tunnelling, make sure you burn your candle long enough each time so that the entire top surface of wax melts.
If your candle has melted onto itself, you can try to reshape it by melting it down. You can do this by putting it in the oven at a low temperature, using a hairdryer, or using a candle warmer.
If your candle has melted in transit, you can try to reshape it by melting it down. You can do this by putting it in the oven at a low temperature, using a hairdryer, or using a candle warmer.
