WHY IS MY CANDLE TUNNELLING?Updated a month ago
Tunnelling is when a candle burns down the middle, leaving wax around the edges of the vessel. This can happen for a few reasons:
- First burn memory: Candles remember their very first burn. If you don’t allow the wax to melt all the way to the edges the first time, it may continue to tunnel on future burns
- Short burn times: If you light your candle for less than 2-3 hours, the wax may not have enough time to create a full melt pool
- Environment: Draughts, air conditioning, or uneven surfaces can affect how evenly your candle burns
How to prevent tunnelling:
- On the very first burn, let the wax melt right to the edge of the vessel (this usually takes 2–3 hours)
- Burn your candle for at least 2 hours each time to encourage an even melt pool
- Keep your candle away from draughts and place it on a flat, stable surface
- Trim your wick to 5mm before each burn to ensure a steady flame
Can I fix a tunnelling candle?
- Burn it for a longer period of time next time to help the wax even out
- Gently scoop out or soften the excess wax around the edges so the wax level is even (once the wax is slightly cool)