The Secret To An Even Candle Burn

Have you ever lit a candle only to find that it burns straight down the middle, leaving a thick ring of unused wax around the edge of the jar?

If so, your candle has developed what's known as "tunnelling".

Not only can tunnelling make your candle look unsightly, but it can also reduce fragrance performance and leave you with a lot of wasted wax. The good news is that candle tunnelling is usually easy to prevent.

What Is Candle Tunnelling?

Candle tunnelling occurs when the wax around the wick melts, but the wax near the edges of the container remains solid.

Instead of creating an even melt pool across the surface, the candle burns downwards through the centre, creating a tunnel.

Over time, this tunnel becomes deeper and deeper, making it harder for the candle to correct itself.

The Number One Cause of Candle Tunnelling

The most common cause is not allowing the candle to burn long enough during its first use.

Candles have a memory.

The first burn helps establish the candle's future burn pattern. If the candle is extinguished before the melted wax reaches close to the edges of the container, the candle will often continue burning to that same diameter every time it's lit.

This is why the first burn is so important.

How Long Should I Burn My Candle For?

A good rule of thumb is to allow your candle to burn until the melt pool reaches close to the edge of the container.

For most medium-sized candles, this can take between 2 and 4 hours.

Patience during the first burn can significantly improve the performance and lifespan of your candle.

Trim Ya Wick!

A wick that's too long can cause several problems.

It may create a large flame, excessive soot, mushrooming and uneven burning.

Before each burn, trim the wick to approximately 5mm.

This helps the candle burn more evenly, improves fragrance performance and can reduce the chances of tunnelling developing.

Think of it as giving your candle a quick haircut before use.

Avoid Short Burn Sessions

Lighting a candle for 20 or 30 minutes at a time might seem harmless, but repeated short burns can encourage tunnelling.

The wax doesn't have enough time to fully melt across the surface before the candle is extinguished.

Whenever possible, plan your candle use so you can enjoy it for at least a couple of hours.

Keep Candles Away From Draughts

Open windows, fans, air conditioning units and busy walkways can all affect how a candle burns.

A flickering flame may look cosy, but it often leads to uneven burning.

For best results, place your candle on a stable, heat-resistant surface away from draughts.

Can I Fix a Tunnelling Candle?

Sometimes, yes.

If tunnelling has already started, one popular method is to carefully wrap a collar of aluminium foil around the top of the candle while burning.

This helps reflect heat back onto the surface wax and encourages the outer edges to melt.

Always supervise the candle while doing this and follow normal candle safety precautions.

However, prevention is always easier than cure.

Why Does Tunnelling Matter?

Apart from looking frustrating, tunnelling can:

• Waste a significant amount of wax.
• Reduce fragrance throw.
• Shorten the overall life of the candle.
• Cause the wick to become buried as the tunnel deepens.

A properly maintained candle should give you an even burn, excellent fragrance and maximum value for money.

The Bottom Line

If you want to stop your candle from tunnelling, remember these simple steps:

• Allow the first burn to create a full melt pool.
• Trim the wick to around 5mm before each use.
• Avoid very short burn sessions.
• Keep candles away from draughts.
• Burn your candle long enough for the wax to melt evenly across the surface.

A little candle care goes a long way and can help you enjoy every last bit of fragrance from your favourite candle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my candle only burn in the middle?

This is usually caused by extinguishing the candle too early during previous burns. The candle develops a memory and continues to burn to the same diameter.

How long should I burn a candle for the first time?

Most candles should be burned for 2 to 4 hours, or until the melt pool reaches close to the edge of the container.

Does trimming the wick really help?

Yes. Keeping the wick trimmed to around 5mm promotes a cleaner, more even burn and can help prevent tunnelling.

Can a tunnelling candle be saved?

In many cases, yes. Techniques such as using an aluminium foil collar can help melt the outer wax and restore a more even surface.

What causes candle tunnelling?

The most common causes are short burn times, failing to achieve a full melt pool on the first burn, overly long wicks and exposure to draughts.