Chloe Adams
Candles are a great way to create a cosy atmosphere and fill a room with fragrance. However, one of the most annoying sights is when your candle starts totunnel, leaving a ring of unmelted wax around the sides. This happens when the wick burns down the centre, instead of creating a pool of wax across the surface. Luckily, there are several ways to fix this issue and flatten your candle.
Characteristics and Values of Flattening a Candle
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of flattening | Candle tunneling |
| Tunneling cause | Candle not burned carefully, wick too small |
| Fix | Hairdryer, heat gun, oven, aluminum foil, candle warmer |
| Prevention | Burn for 1 hour for every inch in diameter, buy candles with multiple wicks |
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What You'll Learn
Use a hairdryer to melt the wax
Using a hairdryer is an effective way to flatten a candle, especially if you're looking to fix candle tunneling. Candle tunneling happens when a candle burns down its center, leaving hard wax around the outside. This not only looks unsightly but also affects the candle's burn time and scent.
To start, lay out some newspaper around the candle to catch any wax splatters. Then, turn your hairdryer on to the "Hot" or "Heating" setting, and hold it at least 15 cm away from the candle. Direct the hot air towards the uneven sides of the candle, focusing on the portion of the uneven wax. Keep the hairdryer moving around this section for a minute or two, depending on the heat from your blower. Be careful not to point the hairdryer at one section for too long, as you might burn the candle wick from prolonged exposure to heat.
If you're looking to expose a buried wick, this method will help liquefy the wax evenly across the top surface. Simply heat up the top layer of the candle with the hairdryer, and then pour the melted wax into a container if you want to save it for something else.
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Try the foil method
If your candle is showing serious signs of tunneling, it's time to try the foil method. This is a relatively easy method, but do proceed with caution as the foil can get hot. First, light your candle. Then, cut and 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. Make sure the foil hangs over the built-up wax areas, but leave an opening in the centre so the wick can still burn properly. The opening in the centre of the foil should be large enough to allow plenty of oxygen in as it burns.
For larger candles, make sure the flame can still burn strongly and create enough heat to melt the wax. You can also put your candle in the oven (at 175 degrees Fahrenheit) on a cookie sheet for about 2 to 5 minutes to evenly melt the top. Do not put your candles inside a microwave oven! Candles usually have metal wick butts that can be dangerous when put inside a microwave oven.
After a couple of hours, the wax should melt and even out the surface. This trick will eliminate the annoying ring of wax in your candle jar.
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Prevent tunneling by letting the wax pool reach the edge
Candle tunneling is a common issue that occurs when a candle burns down its centre, leaving hard wax around the outside. This results in an uneven burn, with the wax melting at different rates and causing a "memory ring", which is the precursor to tunneling.
To prevent this from happening, it is important to ensure that the wax melts evenly to the edge of the candle during its first burn. This is known as the "melt pool rule". For container candles, the melted wax should reach the edge of the container, creating a pool of liquid wax. For pillar candles, burn the candle for one hour per inch of diameter to ensure the liquid wax extends out towards the edge, leaving a thin wall of wax. For example, a 3" wide pillar candle should be burned for a minimum of 3 hours.
If you are unable to let the wax melt to the edge during the first burn, there are a few methods to fix this issue and prevent tunneling. One method is to use a hairdryer or heat gun to melt and smooth out the wax, removing the "memory" of the wax. Another method is to use aluminium foil to trap and reflect the candle's heat, aiding in melting the wax around the edges.
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Heat the candle in an oven
If you want to flatten a candle using an oven, there are a few methods you can try. Firstly, it is important to note that candles with metal wick butts should not be placed directly inside a microwave oven, as this can be dangerous. Instead, you can use your oven to heat a cookie sheet, hot plate, or hot dish, and then press the candle onto the hot surface to flatten it. Alternatively, you can place the candle jar directly into the oven, setting the temperature to around 80 degrees Celsius or 175 degrees Fahrenheit. Leave the candle in the oven for about 2 to 5 minutes, keeping an eye on it to ensure that the wax melts evenly. If the wax begins to overflow, simply scoop out the excess wax with a spoon.
It is important to note that this method is intended to fix candle tunneling, which occurs when a candle burns down its center, leaving hard wax around the outside. Candle tunneling can be caused by improper burning, such as failing to let the candle burn long enough during its initial use or not trimming the wick to the appropriate length. Therefore, when using an oven to flatten a candle, it is crucial to ensure that the oven temperature is not too high, as this could cause the wax to melt unevenly or overflow. Additionally, it is recommended to lay out newspaper around the candle jar to catch any potential splatters when removing it from the oven.
For larger candles, it is worth noting that the shape of the container and the quality of the wax may affect the effectiveness of this method. In some cases, the flame may not generate enough heat to melt the wax evenly. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the opening in the center of the foil is large enough to allow adequate oxygen flow and heat distribution.
Overall, using an oven to flatten a candle is a quick and easy way to fix candle tunneling and restore its even surface. By following the above guidelines and monitoring the candle closely during the process, you can effectively flatten a candle and enjoy its cozy ambiance and sweet fragrance once again.
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Use a heat gun to smooth the wax
Heat guns are a versatile tool used by candle makers for a variety of purposes. They are especially useful for smoothing the wax of a candle. Here are some detailed instructions on how to use a heat gun to achieve a smooth wax finish:
Firstly, it is important to prioritise safety. The air temperature for heat guns can range from 120 °F to over 1000 °F, so extreme caution is advised. For candle-making purposes, a temperature of 150 °F is sufficient, with slightly higher temperatures being used rarely and only if necessary. Always be cautious and avoid pointing the heat gun at any one section of the candle for too long, as this can cause the wick to burn.
Next, prepare your workspace. Lay out some newspaper around the candle to catch any wax splatters. This will make the clean-up process easier and safer.
Now, you can begin to use the heat gun. Direct the heat towards the uneven sides of the candle, holding the gun about six inches away from the surface. Move the heat gun around the candle, avoiding focusing on one area for too long. This will ensure that the wax melts evenly.
Continue directing the heat at the wax until it begins to soften and smooth out. You may need to do this for a few minutes, depending on the heat of your gun and the size of the candle. Be patient and gentle, as the wax can melt and run down the sides if too much heat is applied.
Finally, once the wax has softened and smoothed to your liking, carefully remove any remaining newspaper and allow the wax to cool and harden. Your candle should now have a smooth and even finish.
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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 be caused by a wick that is too small or by not letting the candle burn long enough during its first use.
To prevent candle tunneling, consider buying candles with multiple wicks and letting them burn for several hours the first time you light them.
You can use a hair dryer or heat gun to melt and smooth out the wax of a tunneled candle. Simply hold the airflow over the top of the candle until the top layer of wax has melted and smoothed.
You can try the foil method. Light your candle and carefully wrap a layer of foil around the top, 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.
