You may not have realized that candles require care and maintenance to reach their full potential. If you’ve been haphazardly burning your candles, you have probably noticed that the wax is only melting away in one spot. Get some tips on how to fix uneven candle burn to keep your candles in peak condition.
How To Fix Uneven Candle Burn and Tunneling
When your candle burns unevenly, the phenomenon is called tunneling. Only the wax surrounding the wick melts, rather than the entire surface, forming a tunnel. Your wick will reach the bottom, but plenty of wax remains on the sides. So much waste!
When it gets bad, tunneling can make it difficult to keep your candles lit. Not to mention, it doesn’t look very nice. To keep your candles burning longer and brighter, there are a few things you can do to get them back on the right path.
The First Burn
When bringing out a brand new candle, plan to keep it lit for at least a couple of hours. Make sure that the wax melts to the edges before you blow it out. This forms the proper “wax memory” moving forward, so you won’t have to worry about how to fix uneven candle burn.
While it’s burning, you can rotate your candle every so often to ensure even coverage. You should also make sure that the candle is sitting on a flat surface. Store your candles in a cool, dry place, and opt for candles with lids so you can cover them when they aren’t in use to prevent debris from getting into the wax.
Wick Length
The ideal wick placement is in the exact center of your candle. Keep this in mind before you bring any candles home. This can help prevent tunneling in the first place.
If you’ve noticed tunneling has begun, your wick is most likely not the right length. When a wick is too tall the flame can burn too hot. When the wick is too short the flame is too weak. Keeping the wick about one-quarter inch tall is usually the sweet spot.
Intervention Methods
If you want to know how to fix uneven candle burn, you have some options. It’s possible to reset the surface of your candle once tunneling has started. You need to melt all of the wax at the top so it has a chance to settle evenly. There are a few ways you can go about this:
- Pop your candle in the oven for 5 minutes at 175 degrees
- Use a blow dryer
- Cover your candle with tinfoil, leaving a hole at the top
Use a tool such as a butter knife to break up the excess wax in advance. While the wax is melting, keep an eye on the wick and make sure that it doesn’t get buried. Your candle will look like new in no time.
How To Fix Uneven Candle Burn and Get the Most Out of Your Candles
Now you know how to fix uneven candle burn, but you can help prevent uneven burns to begin with by bringing home high-quality candles. Nomad Noé candles are hand-poured into stylish porcelain vessels with matching covers. Check out our selection of candles, all made with a proprietary blend of vegetable wax that is sure to burn clean and bright.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/beauty/candle-burning-tips-how-to-ensure-even-burns/ar-AA11xPmy
https://www.cushyfamily.com/how-to-fix-a-candle-burning-unevenly/
https://www.candleers.com/how-to-make-a-candle-burn-evenly/
https://thecandleland.com/how-do-you-fix-a-candle-that-burns-unevenly/
