Understanding Candle Tunneling
Candle tunneling occurs when a candle burns unevenly, creating a circular pit or trench around the wick and a solid wall of wax around the inside of the jar. This can happen for a number of reasons, including:
- First burn: If the candle isn't burned long enough during the first few uses, the wax doesn't melt to the edge of the container, creating a tunnel.
- Wick size: If the wick is too small, it can't produce enough heat to melt all the wax and form a melt pool that reaches the edges. The wick may also be off-center.
- Wax composition: Cheaper candles may be made with poor quality wax that doesn't melt evenly.
- Drafts: If the candle is in a drafty area, the flame may flutter and burn unevenly.
How to Fix and Prevent Candle Tunneling
Candle tunneling can lead to a shorter candle life, burn time, and the candle may not stay lit. The wick will burn down before while you have plenty of wax left. To prevent candle tunneling, you can try these tips:
- Let the wax melt to the edge of the container each time you light the candle. Recommended time based on the diameter of the container; 1 inch for 1 hours. For example; if your container has 3 inches diameter, then the burning time should be about 3 hours.
- Trim the wick to ¼ inch before each lighting.
- If you have a shallow sinkhole, you can try using an external heat source like a hair dryer or heat gun to melt the hardened wax around the edges. This will widen the melt pool and "reset the memory" of the wax. Be sure to wear eye protection and clothes that can be washed.
- You can also try wrapping aluminum foil around the outside edge of the candle to help keep the flame even and radiate heat.
The Art of Candle Design at LaMoon Candle
If you notice some wax remaining unmelted around the container during the first few burns, don’t worry.
As the wax level lowers, the temperature inside the container increases. This can cause the flame to grow larger near the bottom of the glass container, as the glass traps heat and melts the wax faster. Eventually, all the wax around the container will melt.
At LaMoon Candle, we conducted extensive testing to ensure our candles burn perfectly and safely. Our design allows the top third of the container to burn slower at a lower temperature. From the middle to the bottom, the candle burns at a higher temperature. A candle flame may appear larger when burning at the bottom because the air inside the jar heats up and expands, pushing some air molecules out. However, the candle is actually burning out and will eventually go out due to lack of oxygen. This design helps our candles burn longer, safely, and cleanly.
