Chloe Adams
Candles are a great way to create a cosy atmosphere and fill a room with a sweet fragrance. However, one common problem is candle tunnelling, which occurs when a candle burns down its centre, leaving a ring of hard wax around the outside. Not only does this look unsightly, but it also means you are not getting the most out of your candle. Luckily, there are several ways to fix this issue and ensure your candles burn evenly.
How to Level Out Small Candles
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Candle tunneling occurs when a candle burns down its center, leaving hard wax around the outside. |
| Prevention | On the first burn, ensure the candle pools completely before putting it out. Trim the wick to 1/4 inch before lighting and let it burn for 1 hour per inch in width. |
| Fixes | Use a hair dryer on high heat to melt the top layer of wax. Place aluminum foil on top of the candle to keep heat in. Place the candle in an oven set to 175°F for 5 minutes. Use a candle warmer. |
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What You'll Learn
Use a hairdryer on high heat to melt the top layer of wax
If you're dealing with candle tunneling—a ring of hard, unmelted wax around the outside of the candle caused by the wick burning down the centre—you can use a hairdryer to melt the top layer of wax and level out your candle.
First, ensure there is no dust or debris on the wax by wiping it with a paper towel. Then, turn on your hairdryer and set it to high heat. Hold the hairdryer about 6 inches above the surface of the wax. You can use a wick dipper or a toothpick to gently nudge any unmelted wax on the sides. Continue this process until the wax has liquified evenly across the top surface of the candle.
It's important to note that using a hairdryer on high heat can blow the wax around, so be cautious and consider switching to low heat once the wax starts to melt. Additionally, to ensure safety, keep the melting wax away from any flammable materials and avoid letting the temperature exceed 250° F.
Using a heat gun is another option, as it gives you more control over the temperature and airflow. However, a hairdryer will work fine in most situations. If you're looking for an even more innovative approach, you can try the aluminium foil method, which involves covering the candle with foil and using a hairdryer or heat gun to melt and smooth out the wax.
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Cover the candle with tin foil to keep the jar warm
Covering a candle jar with tin foil is a clever way to level out the wax surface and eliminate the pesky ring of unmelted wax, also known as candle tunnelling. This occurs when the wick burns straight down the centre, instead of creating a melty pool of wax across the surface. This is often due to the candle not burning long enough the first time it is lit, or the wick being too small for the candle container.
To use the tin foil method, you will need to wrap the foil around the edges of the candle, ensuring it covers the wax build-up areas. Leave an opening in the centre, so the wick can still burn. The foil will trap the heat inside, melting the wax on the sides and top of the candle. After a couple of hours, the wax should melt and even out.
It is important to note that the tin foil method may not work for all candles. The quality of the wax and the shape of the container can affect the success of the hack. For example, the hack works well with small soy wax candles only a few inches in diameter but is less successful with larger tapered candles. For larger candles, ensure the flame can still burn strongly and create enough heat to melt the wax.
To prevent candle tunnelling, consider buying candles with multiple wicks and letting them burn for several hours the first time you light them.
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Place the candle in an oven at 175°F for 5 minutes
To level out small candles, placing them in an oven is a commonly suggested method. Here is a step-by-step guide for placing your candle in an oven at 175°F for 5 minutes to achieve a level surface:
Prepare the Candle and Oven
Before placing your candle in the oven, ensure it is free of any debris or excess wax buildup. You can use a tool like a butter knife to carefully break up and remove any clumps of wax above the wick. This step ensures that the heat is distributed evenly across the candle's surface. Additionally, warm up your oven ahead of time to maintain a consistent temperature of 175°F.
Place the Candle in the Oven
Once the oven has reached the desired temperature, it's time to place your candle inside. Use a cookie sheet or a similar flat, heat-resistant surface to place the candle in the middle of the oven. This ensures that the heat is evenly distributed around the candle.
Monitor the Candle
Keep a close eye on your candle while it's in the oven. The recommended time is 5 minutes, but depending on your oven's accuracy and the initial state of your candle, you may need to adjust the timing slightly. Check the candle regularly to ensure the wax is melting evenly and that the wick is not buried in the wax.
Remove and Allow to Harden
After 5 minutes, or when you're satisfied with the results, use oven mitts to protect your hands from the heat and carefully remove the candle from the oven. Set the candle aside and allow the wax to harden and cool completely before lighting it again.
Post-Oven Treatment
Once the wax has hardened, your candle should have a smoother and more level surface. If there are still minor signs of unevenness, you can use additional methods such as the foil method or a hairdryer on high heat to smooth out the surface further.
Remember, this method is intended to help distribute the wax more evenly, but it may not completely eliminate all signs of tunneling or unevenness, especially if the candle has been heavily used. Always exercise caution when handling hot items, and ensure the candle is completely cool before lighting it again.
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Burn the candle for 1 hour per inch of width
Burning a candle for the correct amount of time is crucial to prevent candle tunnelling, which occurs when a candle burns down its centre, leaving unmelted wax around the outside. This not only looks unsightly but also reduces the candle's scent and burning potential. To prevent this, it is recommended that you burn your candle for one hour per inch of its diameter. For example, a candle that is two inches across should burn for two hours.
Burning your candle for the correct amount of time will allow the wax to melt from edge to edge, creating a "memory ring". Once a candle has a "memory ring", it will continue to burn evenly across the surface, preventing tunnelling. It is important to note that burning a candle for too long can also be detrimental. Excessive burning can cause carbon to collect on the wick, leading it to "mushroom". This will cause the wick to become unstable and produce a dangerously large flame. Therefore, it is recommended that candles are not burned for longer than four hours and are allowed to cool for at least two hours before being relit.
The type of wax your candle is made of will also affect its burn time. Most candles are made from paraffin wax, which is the cheapest and fastest-burning option. Stearin candles, made from vegetable or animal fat, burn longer and produce less soot than paraffin wax. Beeswax candles, the original candle wax, burn half as quickly as paraffin wax and have a pleasant smell, but they are more expensive and less common. The shape of your candle will also impact its burn time. Cylindrical candles, for example, will burn differently from tapered candles.
To ensure an even burn, it is important to prepare your candle properly before lighting it. Always trim the wick to ¼ inch and remove any debris from the wax pool, such as wick trimmings or matches. Long or crooked wicks can cause uneven burning, dripping, flaring, and sooting. Trimming the wick will help prolong the life of your candle, and your candle will burn up to 25% longer if you trim it every couple of hours.
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Trim the wick to 1/4 of an inch
Trimming the wick of a candle to 1/4 of an inch is an important step in levelling out small candles and preventing problems like candle tunneling, where a ring of hard wax forms around the outside of the candle as it burns down its centre. This not only looks unsightly but also reduces the scent and burning potential of the candle.
Trimming the wick to 1/4 of an inch is a general rule of thumb, though the ideal length may vary depending on the type of candle and the individual wick and wax used. This step should be done before lighting the candle each time. If you don't have a wick trimmer, you can use a sharp pair of scissors and trim the wick vertically, ensuring a straight cut across rather than at an angle.
Trimming the wick helps to control the amount of wax that reaches the flame. If the wick is too long, it can supply too much wax, resulting in excess smoke, soot, and rapid wax burning. A wick that is the right height will create an even, steady burn, allowing you to enjoy the scent and glow for longer.
Additionally, trimming the wick can help prevent black flames, tall flames, and smoke stains on glass candle holders. It also gives the flame a nice, even shape. If you accidentally trim the wick too short, you can expose more of the wick by melting the surrounding wax with a wand lighter and then slowly pouring out the melted wax. Alternatively, use a butter knife to gently remove the wax around the wick.
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Frequently asked questions
When a candle burns down its centre, leaving hard wax around the outside, this is known as candle tunneling. To prevent this, ensure the candle pools completely before putting it out. You can also try burning the candle for one hour for every inch in width.
There are several ways to fix candle tunneling. One method is to wrap aluminium foil around the candle to keep the jar warm. You can also place the candle in an oven set to 175°F for about five minutes to allow the surface to level out. For minor tunneling, try using a hairdryer on high heat to melt the top layer of wax.
Candles tunnel when the wick burns straight down the centre, instead of creating a melty pool of wax across the surface. This can be caused by a wick that is too small for the candle or burning the candle for too short a time.
