Brooke Martin
There are many reasons why a candle won't stay lit. The most common issue is candle tunnelling, which occurs when a candle burns down the centre, creating a tunnel around the wick. This can be caused by a wick that is too long, too short, or too thin, or by not allowing enough time for the wax to melt to the edges of the vessel. Candle tunnelling can also be caused by a wick that is clogged by dyes or fragrances, or by a wick that is off-centre. Other issues that can cause a candle to not stay lit include a wick that is too curved, too straight, or generating residual ash.
Why won't my candle stay lit?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wick too long | Trim the wick to 1/4" or 6mm above the wax surface |
| Wick too short | Cut the wick to 1/8" or longer |
| Wick clogged | Remove excess wax around the wick |
| Wick off-centre | Use a wick centreer to straighten and centre the wick |
| Wick too thin | Try a larger wick from the same series |
| Tunneling | Burn the candle until all the wax is melted to the edge of the jar |
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What You'll Learn
The wick is too long
If your candle wick won't stay lit, it's most likely because the wick is too long and needs to be trimmed clean of charred material. While it might seem counterintuitive to trim the candle wick to help it burn better, it's important to remember that it's the wax that fuels the flame, not the wick itself. The longer the wick, the harder it is for the wax to flow to the top.
To fix this issue, trim your wick to about 1/4" or 6mm above the surface of the wax. You can use a wick trimmer, scissors, or nail cutter for this. In a pinch, you can also use a napkin and your fingers to gently break off the burnt parts of the wick. Trimming the wick will ensure that the wax can travel up through the wick to fuel the flame.
If your candle wick is too short after trimming, it may be difficult to light and may drown in the wax, fail to catch, or burn with a very low flame. Therefore, it's important to find the right length for your wick. As a general rule, aim for a length of slightly longer than 1/8" and shorten it as needed.
In addition to trimming the wick, you can also try dabbing away or draining excess melted wax from the area around the wick to give it enough space to burn. This will help prevent the wick from drowning in its own wax pool.
By following these steps, you should be able to get your candle to stay lit and enjoy its cozy ambiance for longer.
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The wick is too short
If your candle wick is too short, it may be difficult to light and stay lit. This is because the wick needs to be short enough to pull the wax upwards, but also long enough to generate enough heat to burn all the fuel (wax and fragrance). If the wick is too short, it may drown in the wax, failing to catch a flame or burning with a very low flame.
To remedy this, try using a longer wick. You can also try dabbing away or draining excess melted wax from the area around the wick, to give it enough space to burn. If the wick is too short, you could also try using a Q-tip as a temporary wick.
To avoid this problem in the future, make sure to trim your wick correctly. You can use a wick trimmer, scissors, or nail cutter. In a pinch, you can use a napkin and your fingers to gently break off the burnt parts of the wick. It is also important to ensure your wick is centred, as a wick that is off-centre may cause the candle to only burn on one side.
Another common issue is candle tunnelling, which can be caused by not giving your candle enough time to form a full melt pool, especially on the first burn. This creates a tunnel around the wick, making it harder for the wax around the edges of the jar to melt. To fix this, let the candle burn until all the wax is melted to the edge of the jar. This should reset the memory of the wax and avoid future candle tunnelling.
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The wick is off-centre
If your candle wick is off-centre, it can cause a tunnelling effect, where the wick burns straight down the centre of the candle without creating a full melt pool. This will make it more difficult for the wax around the edges of the jar to melt, causing the tunnelling effect to continue with each burn. Eventually, the tunnel can become too deep for fresh oxygen to flow in, and your candle will struggle to stay lit for more than short periods.
To fix this issue, you can use a wick centre-er to ensure that your wick is placed in the centre of your candle container. This device can be used for multi-wick candles as well, ensuring even spacing between the wicks. When securing your wick, make sure it is tight. If it is too loose, the wick may bend and pull away from the centre as the candle hardens.
Another way to address the tunnelling effect is to let your candle burn for long enough to melt the wax all the way to the edges of the vessel. This will reset the memory of the wax and avoid future candle tunnelling. Depending on the size of your candle, this can take anywhere from one hour to three to four hours.
If your candle wick is also too long, you can trim it using a wick trimmer, scissors, or nail cutter. Aim to keep your wicks about 1/4" or 6mm above the surface of the wax. Alternatively, if your candle wick is so short that it's hard to light, you can try making it a little longer than 1/8" and shorten it as needed.
By addressing the off-centre wick and wick length, you can help your candle stay lit and avoid the tunnelling effect.
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The wick is clogged by dyes
If your candle won't stay lit, it could be because the wick is clogged by dyes. This is a common problem with DIY candles, where the dye used in the wax affects the ability of the wick to burn properly. The dye can clog the wick, preventing it from drawing up the wax efficiently and causing the flame to go out.
To prevent this issue, it is important to use the correct amount of dye when making your own candles. Using too much dye can clog the wick, while too little can result in an uneven burn. It is also important to ensure that the wick is centred during the pouring process, as an off-centre wick can lead to uneven burning and other issues.
If your candle wick is clogged, there are a few things you can try to fix the problem. One solution is to trim the wick to remove any clogged or charred sections. This will help the wick draw up the wax more effectively and improve the flame. However, be careful not to trim the wick too short, as this can also cause issues with the candle staying lit.
Another solution is to try dabbing away or draining any excess wax from around the wick. This will give the wick more space to burn and can help improve the airflow to the flame. If the clogging is severe, you may need to repeat this process a few times until the wick is clear.
Finally, if your candle is consistently having issues with clogging due to dye, consider switching to a different type of candle with less dye or fragrance. Candles with natural wax blends, such as soy or coconut wax, may be less likely to clog and can provide a cleaner burn.
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The wax has tunnelled
If your candle has tunnelled, it means that it is burning down the middle, leaving unburnt wax around the edges. This is usually caused by the candle not burning long enough the first time it was lit, creating a '"memory"' in the wax. This is because previously melted wax is softer and takes less heat to melt again, so when you re-light your candle, the wax melts at different rates, resulting in a tunnelling effect.
To fix this issue, you can melt the surface of the candle with a hairdryer, heat gun, or by placing the candle in the oven on low heat for 20 minutes, until the wax is evenly distributed. You can then let the wax harden and light the candle again, ensuring that you let it burn long enough for the wax to reach the edge of the container. Alternatively, you can use tin foil to reflect the heat back onto the unburnt wax, causing it to melt. This method may take a few tries to get right, and you should be careful when handling the hot foil.
If the wick is still too short after attempting the above methods, you may need to replace it with a longer one. Additionally, it is important to ensure that you are using the correct type of wax for your candle, as some waxes are harder and have a higher melting point, making them more prone to tunnelling.
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Frequently asked questions
Your candle wick might be too long.
Your wick should be about 1/4" or 6mm above the wax surface.
If your wick is too short, it may be hard to light and can cause the candle to drown in wax.
On the first burn, let your candle burn until the wax melts to the edges of the vessel. This should take 1-4 hours.
Use a wick centrer to ensure your wick stays straight and vertical.
