Ben Carter
Candle sinking, also known as 'tunneling' or 'sinkholes', is a common issue in candle-making. It occurs when the wax in your container or mould sinks to the bottom, causing the candle to dip in the middle. This can be caused by a variety of factors such as uneven wax cooling, temperature fluctuations, the type of wax used, and the temperature of the workspace and container. Candle sinking can be prevented by maintaining consistent temperatures, using the right type of wax, and ensuring proper ventilation during the candle-making process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Phenomenon | Sinkholes/tunneling |
| Cause | Uneven wax cooling |
| Temperature fluctuations | |
| Type of wax | |
| Wax recycling | |
| Dust or debris in the jar | |
| Lack of oxygen | |
| Fixes | Heat gun |
| Pour wax at cooler temperatures | |
| Tin foil wrap with a hole at the top |
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Temperature control
Firstly, ensure your candle-making environment is at room temperature. Avoid making candles in a cold environment as it can cause the wax to cool and shrink too quickly, leading to sinkholes. If your room is particularly cold, consider pre-warming your containers by placing them in an oven on low heat for 15-20 minutes. This helps prevent rapid cooling and sinking.
Secondly, control the temperature of your wax. Pouring wax that is too hot can cause rapid cooling and sinking. Aim for a moderate temperature, around 65°C, and test the temperature on small batches to find the ideal range for your specific wax type. Pouring at a slightly lower temperature can help reduce shrinkage and the formation of sinkholes. However, be cautious not to pour too cold, as this can also contribute to sinkholes.
Thirdly, consider the shape of your container. Narrow or deep vessels can lead to uneven cooling and promote sinkholes. Wide and shallow containers are less likely to cause sinkholes, while wide and tall vessels have a moderate likelihood, and narrow and tall vessels have the highest risk.
Additionally, you can try the second pour method. Hold back a small amount of wax and do a second pour at a slightly lower temperature after the candle begins to set. This fills in gaps and improves candle stability. Ensure the second pour is done while the candle is still warm and hasn't fully set, and be careful not to overheat the wax to avoid an unsightly rim.
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Wax type
The type of wax used in candle-making can affect whether sinkholes form in the final product. Harder waxes like pillar and votive waxes are more prone to sinkholes because they have a higher melting point, requiring additional heat. This makes them expand more and, therefore, shrink more as they release heat. Conversely, single-pour container waxes are the least likely to have sinkholes form because of their softness and low melting point. However, even these super-soft waxes can develop sinkholes, especially smaller surface sinkholes, when poured at too high a temperature.
The wax's temperature when poured is a critical factor in sinkhole formation. When wax is heated, it expands, and when it cools, it shrinks. Pouring wax at cooler temperatures can help prevent sinkholes as the wax tends to melt more evenly. The ideal pouring temperature for wax is around 120–135 °F (48.9–57.2 °C).
Additionally, the temperature of the workspace and the candle container/mould can also influence sinkhole formation. The workspace temperature should be maintained at a consistent 70 °F (21.1 °C) with good ventilation and no drafts or heavy airflow. The candle container/mould should also be at room temperature before pouring to prevent the wax from cooling too quickly and unevenly, contributing to sinkhole formation.
It is important to note that sinkholes are not just an aesthetic issue but can also affect the functionality of the candle. They can cause the wick to be excessively exposed, leading to a dangerously large flame. Therefore, it is crucial to address sinkholes through proper temperature control and simple repair techniques, such as using a second pour or remelting the wax surface to fill in the cavity.
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Container temperature
The temperature of the container you are using to make your candle in can affect whether a sinkhole will occur. If the container is too cold, the wax will begin to harden on the sides and the outside edges before the wax in the centre has cooled, resulting in a sinkhole.
To prevent this, you can warm up your containers before pouring in the wax. You can do this by placing the containers in an oven on its lowest setting for about 15 minutes with the door open. Alternatively, you can use a heat gun to warm the containers before pouring in the wax.
If you are making candles in a jar, it is best to set the jar in an open area with enough time for it to naturally reach room temperature. This is because the temperature of the workspace and the temperature of the jar can also affect the formation of a sinkhole. The ideal room temperature for setting your candle is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit without any breeze or drafts.
It is also important to note that the type of wax you use can affect the likelihood of sinkhole formation. Different wax types have different melting points and some shrink more than others as they cool. Paraffin wax, for example, is notorious for creating sinkholes because it expands as it heats and contracts as it cools. Therefore, it is important to determine the right type of wax for your candle-making purposes and to pour the wax at the appropriate temperature to ensure uniform cooling.
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Repair techniques
Candle sinkholes are a common issue, especially for homemade candles, but they are usually easy to fix. Here are some repair techniques to consider:
Heat Gun Method: Using a heat gun, gently melt the surface of the candle around the sinkhole area. Hold the heat gun about 6 to 8 inches away and move it in a circular motion. Once the wax starts to melt, use a stick or chopstick to poke at the sinkhole to determine its size and release trapped air. Allow the melted wax to settle evenly, filling in the sinkhole. This method is fast and ensures a smooth, even surface.
Second Pour Method: After the initial pour has hardened, perform a second pour at a slightly lower temperature. This helps to fill in gaps and improve the overall stability of the candle. It is recommended to wait about two hours after the first pour to ensure that the wax has set and to prevent new sinkholes from forming.
Alternative Methods: If you don't have access to a heat gun, you can use a hairdryer on low heat or an oven set to a low temperature to gently melt the surface of the candle. You can then use a stick or chopstick to poke at the sinkhole and allow the melted wax to fill in the cavity.
To prevent sinkholes in the future, consider the following:
- Use the right type of wax for your specific candle type, as different waxes have different melting points and shrinkage rates.
- Pre-warm your molds and containers to room temperature or place them in a low-heat oven for 15-20 minutes.
- Avoid pouring the wax too hot, as it can cause rapid cooling and sinking.
- Test the pouring temperature on small batches to find the ideal range for your specific wax and container combination.
- Ensure correct wick placement and use wick stabilizers for better burn performance and to reduce uneven wax cooling.
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Wick function
When candles sink in the middle, it's called 'tunneling' or 'sinkholes'. This happens due to uneven wax cooling—the wax closest to the edges of the candle and around the wick cools and solidifies more quickly than the wax in the centre. This can be caused by the temperature of the workspace, the temperature the wax is poured at, the temperature of the container the wax is poured into, or even the temperature of the table the candles are sitting on as they set. Harder waxes with higher melting points are more prone to sinkholes because they require additional heat and, therefore, expand and shrink more.
Sinkholes can negatively affect wick function. When you burn a candle, the wick absorbs wax upward into the flame. As the candle melts down to the level of the sinkhole, a large amount of wick is exposed, and too much liquid wax is sucked upwards, creating a dangerously large flame.
To prevent sinkholes, you can try pouring the wax at cooler temperatures, ensuring your workspace is well-ventilated, and allowing your containers to reach room temperature before pouring.
If you already have a sinkhole in your candle, you can fix it by using a second pour or re-melting the surface of your candle to fill in the cavity. You can also try wrapping tin foil around your candle and cutting a hole at the top to light it. Leave enough room for smoke to escape, and let it burn for 2-3 hours or until the top evens out.
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Frequently asked questions
This is caused by uneven wax cooling, which creates sinkholes. To prevent this, ensure your workspace is well-ventilated with a consistent temperature of around 70°F. You should also ensure your candle jar is at room temperature before pouring in the wax.
You can use a heat gun to melt the top layer of wax and fill in the dip. Alternatively, wrap tin foil around the candle, leaving a hole at the top for smoke to escape, and burn the candle for 2-3 hours until the top evens out.
You can try pouring the wax at a cooler temperature, as this will melt at a more even rate. You can also hold back a small amount of wax and do a second pour after the first layer has begun to set.
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