Maddie James
Candle-making is a popular pastime, but it can be tricky to get right. Common problems include candle tunneling, where a candle burns down the middle but leaves unburned wax around the edges, and sinkholes, where a hole appears around the wick. These issues are usually caused by an incorrect wick size, the candle not being burned for long enough on its first use, or temperature fluctuations during the cooling process. To fix tunneling, you can melt the top of the candle with a hairdryer or heat gun and then replace the wick, or use tinfoil to redirect the candle's heat back to the wax. To fix a sinkhole, use a heat gun to melt the wax until the hole is filled. Other common candle-making issues include cracks, which can be caused by the wax cooling down too quickly, and discolouration, which can be caused by the use of vanillin, an organic compound found in vanilla.
Characteristics and Values Table
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cracks in candles | Caused by wax cooling down too quickly; avoid by cooling candles at a steady room temperature of 18-20°C |
| Smoke coming from wick | Wick is too large, too much fragrance oil, or wick hasn't been trimmed enough |
| Wet spots | Wax hasn't adhered to the glass properly; pre-heat glasses before pouring |
| Wax contracting and pulling away from sides | Temperature changes; use waxes like coconut or softer paraffin waxes |
| Bumpy tops | Polymorphism; allow wax to cool as much as possible in pour pot before pouring into containers |
| Blocked wick | Caused by additives like mica, glitter, crayons, etc.; test wick in plain wax first |
| Candle tunneling | Wick too small or candle not burned long enough; melt top with a hair dryer or change wick |
| Discoloration | Oxidation of vanillin in fragrance oils; use oils with little to no vanillin |
| Uneven surfaces and bubbles | Air escapes from top surface or water mixes with wax; pour at a slightly warmer temperature |
| Sinkholes | Wick is too long; use a heat gun to melt the wax until the sinkhole is filled |
| Flickering | Wick is too long |
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What You'll Learn
How to fix candle tunnelling
Candle tunnelling is a common issue, but with a few tricks, you can save your candle and keep it burning beautifully. Tunnelling occurs when only the centre of the wax melts, leaving a ring of solid wax around the edges. This wastes your candle and shortens its lifespan.
Firstly, you need to determine the cause of the tunnelling. One reason could be that the wick is too small and does not produce enough heat to melt the wax to the edge of the candle. In this case, you will need to remake the candle with a larger wick.
Another cause could be that the candle was not burned long enough during its first use, resulting in the wax not reaching the edges of the container. To fix this, you can try the aluminium foil method. Cover the top of the candle with foil, ensuring the foil covers the edges but leaves an opening at the top for airflow. Light the candle and let it burn for a few hours. The trapped heat will melt the outer wax, evening out the wax pool. Alternatively, you can use a hairdryer to gently melt the top layer of wax until it melts evenly.
If the tunnelling is severe, you may need to spend a lot of time melting and removing the excess wax. However, if the sinkhole is shallow, you can try the following: trim the wick and remove any debris inside the tunnel. Cover the top of the candle with aluminium foil, cutting or folding a small opening in the centre. Remove the foil, light the wick, then replace the foil cover. Allow the candle to burn for a few hours until the top surface of the wax has completely melted and smoothed over. Set the candle aside and let the wax harden over a few days.
Remember, prevention is always better than cure. To prevent tunnelling, burn your candle long enough each time so that the entire top surface of the wax melts. It is recommended to burn your candle for around 3-4 hours on the first burn.
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How to prevent cracks in candles
Candles are prone to cracking, especially those made from soy, paraffin, palm, and beeswax. This is because these waxes contract as they cool, pulling away from the sides of the jar. The cracks can either be a full crack going through the wick or a circular crack on the surface. This is usually caused by the candle wax cooling down too quickly once poured. This may be due to cold candle vessels, a cold room, or the candles being placed in a fridge or freezer to speed up the setting process.
To prevent cracks in your candles, follow these steps:
- Avoid extreme temperatures (too high or too low) when making candles. Use a thermometer to maintain a steady room temperature of around 18°C to 20°C.
- Pre-heat your candle vessels before pouring the wax to slow down the cooling process.
- Allow your wax to cool as much as possible in your pour pot before pouring it into your containers.
- Avoid using too many additives, as they can affect the setting process.
- If cracks do appear, use a gentle blast from a heat gun to smooth out the surface of the candle.
By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the chances of cracks appearing in your homemade candles.
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How to fix a candle with a sinkhole
A sinkhole in a candle is a cavity that forms around or near the wick, often leading to candle tunnelling. This is when the candle burns down the centre, leaving unmelted wax along the sides. Sinkholes are caused by temperature fluctuations during the candle-making process, specifically when the wax cools too quickly and unevenly. This can be due to various factors, such as the temperature of the wax when poured, the temperature of the workspace, the temperature of the container/mould, and even the surface the candles are placed on to set.
To fix a sinkhole in a candle, you can use the following methods:
- Use a heat gun or hair dryer: Hold the heat gun or hair dryer about 6 to 8 inches away from the candle and rotate it in a circular motion to melt the wax until the sinkhole is filled. Be careful not to scorch the wick.
- Poke relief holes: While the candle is setting, poke relief holes around the wick to allow trapped air to escape and liquid wax to fill any sinkholes. After the first pour has set, you will need to do a second pour, either with a new batch of wax or by remelting the leftover wax from the first batch.
- Melt additional wax: If you notice a sinkhole forming as the candle cools, melt some additional wax of the same type and at the same temperature as your initial pour. Once the sinkhole is fully formed and the candle is cool, gently pour the melted wax into the sinkhole, filling it to the original level. Allow the candle to cool and solidify completely in the same controlled environment as the first pour.
- Use aluminium foil: Wrap a piece of aluminium foil around the candle and puncture a hole over the flame, leaving a space for oxygen. Keep the foil on for about 30 minutes to allow the built-up wax to melt off the sides. If there is a sinkhole, puncture it with a thermometer probe or a chopstick before lighting the wick to create space for the wax to fill in.
To prevent sinkholes from forming in the first place, it is important to minimise temperature fluctuations as much as possible. Ensure that your workspace remains at a consistent temperature of around 70°F (21°C) with good ventilation and no drafts. Monitor the temperature of your pouring room closely, as fluctuations will impact your finished product. Allow your wax to cool as much as possible in your pour pot before pouring it into room temperature containers or moulds. For pillar candles, which are more prone to sinkholes, consider using relief holes and a second pour.
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How to stop a candle from smoking
A well-made candle shouldn't smoke, but whether or not it does depends on the conditions in which it is burned. If your candle is smoking, there are several things you can try to stop it.
Firstly, check the length of the wick. If the wick is too long, extinguish the flame, let the candle cool down, and then trim the wick to around 5mm or 1/4 inch. A trimmed wick creates a calm, steady flame, allowing the candle to burn in balance. It will efficiently pull up the right amount of wax, and the flame will create complete combustion. If the wick is too long, it will burn, causing the candle to smoke.
If the candle continues to smoke after trimming the wick, you may need to remake the candle with a lower percentage of fragrance oil. Too much fragrance oil can cause the candle to smoke.
Another cause of candle smoking is the presence of a draught. Candles burn best in still air, so if too much or too little air reaches the candle flame, it will disturb the ideal teardrop shape of the flame, causing the candle to flicker and smoke. To avoid this, always burn your candles in a well-ventilated room, away from drafts, vents, or strong air currents. If a draught can't be avoided, try shielding the flame from the draught by placing it in a candle holder or vase.
Finally, if the candle is in a vase, lantern, or container, it could be that the vase is too small, causing the candle to smoke as the flame goes deeper into the jar.
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How to prevent a candle from flickering
A certain amount of flickering is normal, but excessive flickering can be a fire hazard and impact the burn time of your candle. Here are some tips to prevent your candle from flickering:
Firstly, ensure that your candle is stored and placed in an area free from drafts. Even a slight draft can cause the candle wick and flame to flicker. Avoid placing your candle near doors, windows, or in the garden.
Secondly, check the length of your wick. If the wick is too long, it can cause the candle to flicker as the balance between the wick and wax becomes uneven. Trim the wick to around 0.5cm to 0.6cm (a quarter of an inch) before lighting the candle. This will help control the size of the flame and minimise flickering.
Thirdly, avoid using a candle with a wick that is too large, as this can lead to excessive burning and cause the candle to flicker. Similarly, a wick that is too small can create an uneven wax pool and lead to tunnelling, which can also cause flickering. Choosing the right wick size will ensure the candle burns properly.
Finally, keep your candle clean and dry. Moisture, dust, dirt, and other impurities in the wax can cause the candle to flicker. Wipe your candle with a dry cloth to remove any dust or soot, and ensure you store your candle with a lid on to prevent moisture and dirt from settling in the wax.
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Frequently asked questions
Cracks are caused by the candle wax cooling down too quickly once poured. This may be because your candle vessels were cold, your room was too cold, or that you put the candle glasses in a fridge or freezer to speed up the setting process. To avoid cracking, cool the candles at a steady room temperature of around 18°C to 20°C. You can also pre-heat your candle vessels before pouring to slow down the cooling process. A gentle blast from a heat gun can be used to fix cracks on the surface.
Smoke coming from the wick can be a sign that the wick is too large, there is too much fragrance oil, or that the wick hasn’t been trimmed to 5mm before lighting. If the smoke is still occurring after trimming the wick, reduce the percentage of fragrance oil and remake the candle. Smoke may also be emitted if the candle is placed in a draughty area.
Candle tunnelling occurs when a candle burns down the middle but leaves unburned wax around the edges. This is usually because the wick is too small or the candle hasn't burned long enough on its first use. To prevent tunnelling, ensure the candle burns long enough on its first use for the melted wax to reach the edge of the container. You can also fix tunnelling by melting the surface of the candle with a hairdryer or heat gun, then inserting a new wick.
