Brooke Martin
Burning a candle evenly is essential for a prolonged and satisfying experience. An even burn occurs when the entire surface of the wax melts uniformly, resulting in a smooth and flat surface once the candle has cooled. An uneven burn, or tunnelling, occurs when only the centre portion of the wax melts, leaving the outer rim solid. This can be caused by drafts from windows or vents, which cause the flame to flicker or bend. To fix a lopsided candle, you need to forcibly melt the entire surface of the wax to reset its memory. This can be done by submerging the jar in hot/boiled water, using a candle warmer, or placing the candle in the oven at a low temperature. Once the wax is melted, let it settle back into a smooth, even surface.
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What You'll Learn
Wrap the candle in foil to increase the heat
Wrapping a candle in foil is a great way to increase the heat and promote even melting. This technique is especially useful for the first burn, which is crucial for ensuring an even burn throughout the life of the candle.
To do this, take a sheet of aluminium foil and wrap it around the sides of the candle, overlapping it at the top. This will increase the height of the candle, allowing it to heat up more evenly. Make sure the foil is pressed smoothly against the sides of the candle, and that it extends slightly beyond the top edge.
Once the foil is in place, light the candle. The heat from the flame will reflect off the foil, increasing the temperature around the sides of the candle and encouraging the wax to melt evenly. You can expect this process to take around 2-3 hours.
It is important to note that while this method can help increase the heat around the sides of the candle, it is still crucial to follow other best practices for achieving an even burn. This includes burning the candle for a sufficient duration during the first burn, ensuring the candle is placed on a level surface, and avoiding drafts or airflow that can cause uneven melting.
By combining the foil technique with these other practices, you can effectively increase the heat around the sides of the candle and promote even melting for a satisfying candle-burning experience.
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Burn for longer to melt the top layer
Burning your candle for longer periods can help melt the top layer and prevent tunnelling. Tunnelling occurs when only the wax at the centre of your candle melts, causing the wax in the middle to get lower and lower compared to the wax on the outside. This results in a narrow hole or tunnel.
To prevent this, ensure that the entire surface layer of wax melts during the first burn. The longer burn time will help keep the wax even. A good rule of thumb is to burn the candle for at least one hour for each inch of the candle's diameter. For example, a 3-inch candle should be burned for a minimum of 3 hours.
Pillar candles, in particular, need to be burned for longer periods; otherwise, they are more likely to tunnel. Additionally, drafts from windows or vents can cause the flame to flicker or bend, leading to an uneven burn. Therefore, it is important to ensure your candle is placed away from consistent drafts and burned on a level surface.
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Place the candle in the oven
To fix a lopsided candle, one method is to use an oven. This is a quick and easy way to melt the wax and reform the candle.
Firstly, lay out some newspaper or a drop cloth to protect your surfaces from any wax drips. Place the candle on a cookie sheet or tray and put it in the oven. Set the oven temperature to 175°Fahrenheit, and leave the candle in the oven for around 2-5 minutes. This temperature is warm enough to melt the wax, but not so hot that it will disturb the candle's vessel.
Keep an eye on the candle, and after a few minutes, you should see the wax start to melt and the surface of the candle will begin to level out. If there is any excess wax that has melted over the wick, simply scoop it out with a spoon or knife.
This method is a quick fix for a lopsided candle, and it is also a good way to prevent the candle from tunneling. Tunneling occurs when the wick burns down the center of the candle, creating a hole, rather than melting the wax evenly across the surface. By using the oven method, you can ensure that the wax melts evenly, and the candle will burn more effectively.
It is important to note that this method is not suitable for all candles. Some candles, especially larger ones, may have a wick that is too short, and melting the wax could cover the wick entirely. In this case, you may need to re-wick the candle. Additionally, do not put a candle with metal wick tabs in the microwave, as this could be dangerous.
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Use a candle warmer
Using a candle warmer is a great way to melt a lopsided candle without the use of an open flame. Candle warmers are considered safer than burning candles, especially if you have children or pets around. They are also ideal for people who are unable to burn candles due to their living or working situation.
Candle warmers use electricity to melt the candle wax, releasing its aroma without the need for a flame. They come in different types, such as halogen light bulb candle warmers, plate candle warmers, and jar candle warmers. Some candle warmers have a plug that goes into an outlet, while others have a place at the top to collect wax melts. The wax melts have a low boiling point and are pre-portioned, perfumed wax.
When using a candle warmer, it is important to note that the wax will not burn away as it would with a traditional candle. Once the aroma has been completely released from a layer of wax, you will need to discard the melted wax and replace it with a new layer or a new wax melt. Candle warmers are also great for making your candles last longer since the aroma spreads more slowly at a lower temperature.
To use a candle warmer effectively, it is recommended to use smaller candles, as larger candles will result in a jar of hot liquid wax that needs to be discarded. Candle warmers are a great way to enjoy the fragrance of your candles without the risks associated with an open flame.
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Avoid drafts and burn on a level surface to prevent tunnelling and lopsided melting
Burning a candle evenly is essential for a prolonged and satisfying candle experience. An even burn occurs when the entire surface of the wax melts uniformly, resulting in a smooth and flat surface once the candle has cooled. Drafts from windows or vents can cause the flame to flicker or bend, leading to an uneven burn. Therefore, it is important to avoid drafts and ensure your candle is placed away from consistent drafts to prevent lopsided melting.
Airflow pushes the heat from the candle flame towards one side, causing the wax to melt faster on that side. A mild or intermittent source of airflow, such as a person passing by, might not have a significant impact. However, a consistent draft over a longer period of time, like wind from a window, vent, or fan, may cause lopsided melting.
To prevent drafts from affecting your candle, ensure that your candle is on a level surface. If the surface is uneven, the candle will burn unevenly. Burning your candle on a level surface ensures that the melt pool remains even. The melt pool is the liquid wax that forms as the candle burns. To check if your candle is burning evenly, observe the melt pool and ensure it extends to the edge of the jar. The flame should be calm and steady, and the unmelted layer of wax underneath should be smooth and level.
By avoiding drafts and burning your candle on a level surface, you can help prevent tunnelling and lopsided melting. Tunnelling occurs when only the centre portion of the wax melts, leaving the outer rim solid. This can cause the candle to burn out faster and look unappealing. Therefore, it is important to take steps to prevent tunnelling and lopsided melting by avoiding drafts and burning your candle on a level surface.
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Frequently asked questions
To melt a lopsided candle, you need to forcibly melt the entire surface of the wax to "reset" its memory. This can be done by submerging the candle jar in hot/boiled water, using a candle warmer, or placing the candle in the oven at its lowest temperature setting.
To prevent a candle from burning unevenly, make sure it is placed away from consistent drafts, such as windows or vents, and burn the candle on a level surface. Additionally, ensure the first burn is long enough for the wax to melt all the way to the edges, with a general rule of thumb being one hour per inch of the candle's diameter.
A candle burns unevenly when only the centre portion of wax melts, leaving the outer rim solid. This can be caused by drafts from windows or vents, an uneven surface, or insufficient burn time during the first use.
