How To Prevent Candle Tunneling? 7 Ways We’re All Burning Candles Wrong

Regardless of how simple a candle is, it eventually needs to be repaired. Candle tunneling is a type of phenomena. First, you must understand how to avoid candle tunneling so that you may get the most out of your candles.

What is Candle Tunneling?

Because to the lack of melting of surrounding wax, candles can get tunneled. Wax is left on the container’s rim, forming a wax ledge. As it burns, the wick’s flame creates a vertical “tunnel” that leads to the bottom.

Everything becomes covered in wax after using it. However, prevention is the best cure, and there are a few ways to fix any tunneled candles. Leaving a tunneling candle to its own devices can result in it resolving itself and melting the remaining wax on occasion.

A wax ring is usually left around the container’s circumference when this happens. Don’t waste any wax by putting off solving the problem. The more you delay, the more difficult it becomes to solve the problem.

What can you do if the tunneling of your candle persists? It may quit burning on its own if it runs out of oxygen. Lightning or melting wax around the flame will extinguish it.

Without using up all of the wax, it will burn out. It reduces the candle’s burn time significantly. The simplest approach to prevent tunneling is to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Candle Tunneling Causes

In order to prevent candle tunneling, we first need to understand why it occurs. The characteristic “ledge” that is left behind by candle tunneling can be used to identify it. Tunneling candles can be caused by two different things. Wax memory and wick size are two of the most important factors to consider.

Wax Memory

A candle’s life cycle can help us better comprehend its wax memory. A liquid is formed when candle wax melts. Even if it returns to its pre-candle state when cooled, it is not as “hard” as it was before.

It may take many days for it to return to its pre-candle state of “hardness.” Wax plays a big role in this. Essentially, it means that fresh wax is more malleable, which means that it will take less energy to remelt it into a liquid state.

That which had previously been melted is going to melt more quickly when the wick is lit. Wax memory refers to the portion of the candle that melts faster than the rest of the candle. Why? Because its hardness has not returned to normal.

Due to low heat, the wick will tunnel down until the flame is unable to melt the outer ring at all because of the lack of pressure. If you don’t give the candle enough time to melt the outer ring of wax, you’ll have a problem. It also enhances the brain’s ability to recall information.

The softer wax will continue to melt until the candle runs out of oxygen. Upon reaching the bottom of the jar, a thick layer of unmelted wax will be left behind. Poor burn methods are to blame for the tunneling created by wax memory in candles.

Wick Size

The selection of the proper wick is considered the most critical step in the candle-making process. Even if the rest of the candle works flawlessly, an improperly sized wick will ruin the effect. Because of the wax memory, it is impossible for a large wick to melt the wax on the outside.

In order to melt an adequate amount of wax, the candle wick must be large enough. If the wick’s melting capacity is large enough, it will burn downward in a hole the size of the wick. Wax melting may be more difficult in extremely cold conditions.

There are a number of reasons why this happens, such as when you light a candle outside in the cold and it starts to burn through. It’s because the wax must be heated to its melting point before it can be used. It takes a long time to cool down when it’s in a cold environment.

A candle with an incorrect wick size cannot be substituted. Candle tunneling is caused by a lack of wick size in the design. In order to avoid these issues, we must be informed of how to do so.

How To Prevent Candle Tunneling

Tunneling can be prevented by using one of three approaches. The first one is for regular candles. The second concern is with candle makers who are attempting to create candles that do not contain tunnels.

Light the candle for at least 3 hours.

It’s not a hard and fast rule, but it’s a good idea to give the wax ample time to melt. The worst-case scenario is that it becomes too hot before melting anything else. There’s a chance the flame won’t have enough time to melt the entire surface.

It’s possible to light a candle only to learn that you need to put it out soon away because of unexpected events. During the first several “sessions,” let the candle to burn for at least three to four hours. To avoid a tunnel, you must burn your candle for a sufficient amount of time.

Use the proper wick size.

Additionally, inadequate wick size contributes to tunneling. Ensure that you test your candles to find out what wick size and sequence works best with your wax and container. Smoldering candles are unappealing to everybody.

For a burning candle, just increase the diameter of the wick before lighting another one to stop it from going into the tunnel. This is a common remedy for wicks that are too small. Burn tests should always be performed.

7 Ways We’re All Burning Candles Wrong

1. Not Choosing Your Candle Wisely

Heyen estimates that a single ounce of candle wax will burn for between five and seven hours. As a result, a larger candle burns longer. It’s possible you didn’t realize this, but a three-wick candle in the same vessel as a one-wick candle will burn more slowly, not faster, which seems paradoxical. Three wicks will actually increase the life of your candle since wax will not tunnel straight down the middle of it (near one wick) when ignited, but will instead pool all over the candle as it is heated by three flames, says Heyen. This method ensures that all of the wax in the container is consumed throughout the burning process. The cleanest way to burn soy wax is with an essential oil-based scent if you’re concerned about indoor air quality. A food-grade paraffin wax is blended with Paddywax’s soy to create a wax that can be melted at lower temperatures, adds Heyen. In order to melt the paraffin, a candle must be burned hotter, which means a cleaner and more even burn, which increases the strength of the smell. Noted. To get the most out of your soy-paraffin wax blend, you’ll want a larger candle with three wicks.

2. Only Trimming Your Wick Once

If you want to avoid soot markings on your container, “trim the wick to 1/4-inch each time before burning,” advises Heyen. According to Heyen, a wick that is too long or crooked can result in dripping, flaring, or uneven burning. A nail clipper or normal scissors can be used to cut. There’s no need for a specialized wick trimmer, although it does look nice next to a candle and matchbook on a coffee table. As Heyen points out, the flat-tip design isn’t completely worthless. Trimming the wick on a flat surface avoids tiny soot flecks from getting lodged in the melted wax. When the wax is completely dried, always trim the wick.

3. Not Burning Your Candle Long Enough the First Time

You need to burn your candle for at least three to four hours the first time it is used to ensure that it burns evenly. Heyen says, “We claim that wax has a muscle memory, and it will burn in the same pattern each time.” To ensure that your candle pools evenly across the wax, you should fire it long enough the first time. This will ensure that your candle continues to do so with consecutive burns. An alternative to tunneling is to let the wick burn down to its core without forming a complete melt pool. Candle tunneling reduces the amount of wax available for subsequent burns.

4. Giving Up on an Improperly Burned Candles

Exactly what you think it is. According to Heyen, there are a couple of ways to relight a candle that has been partially tunneled. Using a hair dryer on low or placing the candle in an oven at 175 degrees for around 5 minutes helps smooth out the wax surface. There are two ways to melt the wax back to its original level and smoothness. Remove any excess wax from the wick.

5. Not Watching Your Burn Time

It is advised by Heyen not to leave a candle burning for more than four to six hours at once. Keeping your candle from overheating is a priority, according to Heyen. “The wick or wicks can float to the side and it will burn unevenly after that,” she explains if you let the whole candle get moist. Keep a lit candle in your line of sight at all times.

6. Blowing Out Your Candles

Seriously. To my surprise, blowing out a flame actually makes and disperses those little unpleasant black ash particles that get lodged in the wax, which I had assumed were just another marketing trick. However, you don’t need to purchase a snuffer. The flame will be smothered in the same manner if you use a candle with a cover. Dust and filth are kept out by a top. It’s best to wait until the candle has totally cooled before handling or moving it.

7. Not Reusing Your Vessels

All of Paddywax’s candles, as well as those from many other manufacturers, are made to be repurposed. It’s okay to eat and drink from ceramic, metal and glass, but concrete is a better choice for things like planters, brush holders and pencil cups.

Hopefully, you’ve gained some insight into the art of candle burning from this article. And if you happen to be in Nashville, go ahead and light a candle. It costs $35 and is a lot of fun. You’ll also receive a personalized candle as a bonus.

Organizing Your Collection: How to Store Candles Safely

If you’re concerned about candle safety, it’s important to know how to fix candle tunneling so that it can burn for a long period of time.

However, there’s a second way to extend the life of your candle: mastering the art of candle storage. Expert advice on how to properly store your candles when they’re not in use is provided here.

Basic Candle Storing Tips

The Importance of Fire Safety

To begin with, be sure you know how to properly store candles. Between 2014 and 2018, the National Fire Protection Association found that 7,600 home fires were started by candles in the United States. Even when not lighted, candles pose a fire hazard and should be kept out of reach of curious youngsters and pets. Keeping candles in cardboard boxes and anything else that could catch fire should be avoided at all costs.

Store Candles at Room Temperature

A candle’s purpose is to dissipate heat. However, if you can’t enjoy them, don’t let them go to waste. To put it another way, keep your candles in a cool place when they’re not in use. If not, they’ll become pliable, bendable, and even liquefiable. This is one of the advantages of jar candles over other types of candles, such as the pillars or the tapered ones.

In the same way, never put candles in the freezer! Due to the natural wood or fiber material used in wicks (ours are made of 100% organic cotton), they might be destroyed by freezing.

Keep Away from Sunlight

There is more to sunshine than simply melting candles. As a side effect, the candle’s gorgeous hue, as well as its unique scent, will fade significantly faster. So keep your candles out of direct sunlight in a pantry or bathroom cupboard. In general, the longer your candle burns, the darker the environment must be.

Avoid Moisture-Prone Areas

Finally, keep your candles in a dry location in your home. Keep candles in the bathroom for self-care days where you relax in the tub, but keep them away from the sink, where they could leak. It’s best to stay away from damp basements altogether, unless you’re using jar candles.

How to Store Candles from Homesick

Candles and other fragrant products, such as fresheners and reed diffusers, can last longer if they are stored properly. The following are our suggestions for extending the life of each Homesick item:

Jar and Tumbler Candles

Candles in jars and tumblers are best stored upright. In contrast to pillar and tapered candles, the container protects them from melting or warping and makes them more convenient to use. The smell is preserved in the jar or container, allowing it to stay longer. When not in use, simply store jar and tumbler candles in an airtight container to prevent breakage and keep them handy in the location where you’ll be using them most.

Car Fresheners

Car fresheners, which aren’t made of wax or wick, should be stored in a cool, dry place. It would be a shame if the aroma faded the next time you retrieved it for a road trip, like candles do. Instead, use a plastic baggie or other airtight container to store your car fresheners. Keeping car fresheners in their original packaging or in a different container is also a good idea to keep their scents intact. Keeping your car fresheners in a convenient location, such as the glove box or center console, will make it easier for you to get to them when you need them.

Reed Diffusers

Car fresheners and reed diffuser sticks and oils have a lot in common. Cap the oil container and store it upright to prevent it from leaking. It’s best to keep the reeds stored in an airtight container until they’re needed again. In order to avoid mucking up the fragrance, do not use reeds in several diffusers. So it’s best to label or identify which reeds go with which oil diffuser.

Organize and Store Candles

We sincerely hope that this article has provided some guidance on how to safely store candles as well as how to maintain them. You’ll be able to enjoy them for as long as you can! When you wish to bring out your favorite scents and revisit a special area or hometown, you can be confident that the aroma is as wonderful as new.

Conclusion on How to Prevent Candle Tunneling

During your time on the sofa, you’ve spent money on a favorite candle, and it fills the room with a delightful aroma you’ve grown to love. Candle tunneling, on the other hand, is a looming concern. As a result, read our post on how to avoid candle tunneling and put an end to your worries!