Brooke Martin
Candles are a great way to create a relaxing ambiance, but they can be frustrating when they start to tunnel. Candle tunneling occurs when a candle burns down the centre, leaving hard wax around the edges. This not only affects the candle's aesthetic appeal but also its burn time and scent. The good news is that there are several ways to restore tunneled candles and get them burning evenly again. This includes using aluminum foil to cover the top of the candle, placing it in a warm oven, using a hair dryer on a low setting, or pouring boiling water into the candle jar. Additionally, reusing leftover wax from old candles is an excellent way to restore candles and create new ones.
How to Restore Candles
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preventing tunneling | Always allow candles to burn long enough during the first light, choose high-quality candles with properly sized wicks |
| Burn for approximately one hour per inch in diameter | |
| Use a wick dipper to safely extinguish candle flames without producing smoke or soot | |
| Use a candle warmer to melt wax without an open flame, maximising burn time and enhancing scent throw | |
| Fixing tunneling | Foil method: wrap foil around the top edge of the candle while it's burning to distribute heat evenly |
| Oven method: place the candle in a warm oven to gently heat the wax and allow it to melt evenly | |
| Hair dryer method: use a hair dryer on a low setting to melt the wax on the candle's sides | |
| Boiling water method: pour boiling water into the candle jar to melt the wax on the sides and even out the surface | |
| Thumb method: for freestanding candles, light the candle and gently push the soft edges towards the wick | |
| Scrape out excess wax with a butter knife or spoon | |
| Melt out all the wax and replace the wick | |
| Reusing wax | Melt the remaining wax and remove it from its vessel |
| Prepare the wax by rubbing liquid paraffin on it to help release it from the jar | |
| Place the candle in a small pot inside a larger pot filled with simmering water | |
| Different types of wax have different melting points, ranging from 100 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit | |
| Remove old wicks with tongs | |
| Pour melted wax into a votive holder, stopping 1/2 inch below the rim |
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What You'll Learn
Fix candle tunneling with the foil method
Candle tunneling is a common problem that occurs when the wick burns straight down the center, instead of creating a melty pool of wax across the entire surface. This happens when the candle is not allowed to burn long enough during its first light. Candle tunneling can also be caused by using a wick that is too small for the size of the candle.
The foil method is a popular trick to fix candle tunneling. It involves using aluminum foil to cover the top of the candle, with a small opening for the wick and flame. This helps to distribute the heat more evenly, melting the excess wax and causing the wax to level out.
To use the foil method, wrap a piece of aluminum foil around the edges of the candle, making sure that the foil hangs over any built-up wax areas. Leave an opening in the center for the wick to burn properly and allow enough oxygen in. After a couple of hours, the wax should melt and even out, fixing the tunneling issue.
It is important to note that the foil method may not work as well for larger candles or those with wider jars. In addition, some people may find that they need to trim the wick to expose about a quarter of an inch of unburnt wick before using the foil method, as the foil can cause the wick to "drown".
By using the foil method, you can fix candle tunneling and restore your candles to their former glory.
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Melt and reuse candle wax
If you have leftover candle wax, you can melt it down and give it a second life. This is a great way to upcycle and reduce waste. You can melt and reuse candle wax to make new candles, wax melts, and fire starters, among other things.
Step 1: Harvest your used wax
Separate the wax from its container. If the wax is stuck to its container, you can try placing it in the freezer for several hours, which will make it easier to remove. You can then use a knife or a small spoon to gently pry the wax out.
Step 2: Melt your wax
Place the wax in a melting container, such as a saucepan or the top half of a double boiler. If using a double boiler, fill the bottom half with water and place the container with wax in the water. Turn the heat to medium or low and allow the wax to melt, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Prepare your mold or container
Choose a mold or container for your new candle. This could be a jar, tin, teacup, or glass. Clean the container with boiling water and dry it thoroughly. Place a new wick inside, centering it in the middle of the container. You can use a pencil or skewer to keep the wick upright as you pour in the wax.
Step 4: Pour and set
Once your wax is melted, carefully pour it into your prepared mold or container. Hold the wick in place and let the wax set completely. This may take a few hours.
Step 5: Enjoy your new candle
Once the wax has hardened, you can light your new candle and enjoy its fragrance. You can also decorate your candle with leftover wax by re-melting the wax and pouring it over the outside of the candle.
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Prevent tunneling with a candle warmer
Candle tunneling occurs when a candle wasn't burned long enough the first time it was used. This is because wax, even in its solid state, continues to harden over time. Candle wax that was melted and cooled just yesterday will always be softer than wax that has been left untouched for a week. As a result, the outer wax remains solid, and tunneling occurs.
Candle warmers are a great way to restore and reuse leftover candle wax. They melt the wax, which can then be poured into a new mould with a new wick. However, candle warmers can also be used to prevent tunneling in the first place.
If you notice a small tunnel forming in your candle, you can use a candle warmer to melt the wax and prevent the tunnel from getting bigger. Place the candle on the warmer and let the wax melt until it is translucent. This will help to distribute the heat more evenly and prevent the tunnel from deepening.
However, it's important to note that candle warmers may not be effective for all types of wax. Some types of wax, such as soy wax, coconut wax, and palm wax, have a lower melting point and may not mix well with other types of wax. Additionally, if your candle has a wick, the warming process may cause the wick to submerge, making it difficult to light the candle again.
To prevent tunneling in the future, it is recommended to follow proper burning techniques during the first use. Allow the candle to burn until the entire surface of the wax has melted before extinguishing the flame. This process can take anywhere from one to four hours, depending on the size of the candle. Trimming the wick to 1/4 inch before each burn can also help prevent tunneling.
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Re-wick a candle for maximum burn time
To get the maximum burn time from your candles, it's important to prevent candle tunneling. This occurs when a candle burns down the centre, leaving hard wax around the edges of the container. To fix this, you can melt the wax and add a new wick.
Firstly, melt the wax. You can do this by placing the candle in an oven on its lowest setting, or by placing the candle in a small pot, which is then placed inside a larger pot filled with water. Bring the water to a simmer.
Next, remove the old wick with tongs. Cut a new piece of wicking, available at craft stores, 2 inches taller than the votive holder. Knot one end and thread the other through a wick tab, also available at craft stores. Dip the wick and tab into the melted wax to coat them, then press the tab to the bottom of the holder.
Finally, pour the melted wax into the votive holder, stopping 1/2 inch from the rim. Leave it to set, which should take about an hour. To even the well at the centre, pour more wax until it's 1/4 inch below the rim.
To prevent candle tunneling, always trim the wick to 1/4 inch before lighting the candle. On the first burn, let the candle burn until the entire surface of the wax has melted before extinguishing the flame. This usually takes at least an hour or two, depending on the size of the candle.
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Remove wax from a jar or candle holder
To remove wax from a jar or candle holder, you can use one of several methods. One popular method is the "freezer method", which involves placing the jar or candle holder in the freezer. This allows the wax to shrink and easily pop out when removed from the freezer.
Another method is to melt the wax. This can be done by placing the jar in a warm oven, ensuring that any labels or stickers are removed first. Alternatively, you can place the jar in a pot of simmering water, or pour boiling water directly into the jar. This will melt the wax, which will then rise to the surface and re-solidify, allowing you to remove it easily.
If you only need to remove a small amount of wax, you can try running hot water over the jar or candle holder. This will melt the wax and allow it to drip away.
For more stubborn wax, you can use a hair dryer on a low or medium setting to melt and soften the wax, or a butter knife to gently scrape it away. However, be careful not to use a knife or sharp object on a glass votive holder, as this may scratch or weaken the glass.
Remember to always exercise caution when handling hot wax and water, and ensure that your candle jar or holder is heat-proof before attempting any of these methods.
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Frequently asked questions
Candle tunnelling occurs when a candle burns down the centre, leaving hardened wax around the edges. To fix this, you can try the foil method, oven method, hairdryer method, or boiling water method. For the foil method, cover the top of your candle with aluminium foil, leaving a hole for the wick, and burn the candle until the wax melts evenly. For the oven method, place the candle in a warm oven to gently heat the wax and allow it to melt evenly. For the hairdryer method, use a hairdryer on a low setting to melt the wax on the sides of the candle. For the boiling water method, pour boiling water into the candle jar to melt the wax on the sides.
To melt and reuse candle wax, first, prep the wax by rubbing liquid paraffin on it to help release it from the jar. Then, melt the wax by placing the candle in a small pot inside a larger pot filled with simmering water. Different types of wax have different melting points, so adjust accordingly. Once the wax is melted, remove old wicks with tongs and pour the wax into a new mould.
To re-wick a candle, start by scraping out all the wax from the candle and setting the wick aside. Melt the wax in a double boiler, then slowly pour the hot wax back into the candle's container. Let the wax cool and harden completely before placing a new wick in the centre. Trim the wick to about a quarter of an inch to promote an even burn.
