How To Fix A Candle? Troubleshooting and Repair Guide

Homeowners are increasingly turning to scented and handmade candles to help them achieve the environment they seek. However, the incidence of candle tunneling can undermine those plans.

As annoying as it is, candle tunneling can be. Unless you can handle it, you won’t get the most out of your candles.

We’ll cover all aspects of candle tunneling in this essay. Find out why this happens and how to remedy it. A few pointers on how to avoid it will be offered as well.

If you want to learn more about candle tunneling, please join us!

What Is Candle Tunneling?

Candle tunneling occurs when the flame you light only impacts the center of the candle. The wick in the middle of a candle produces the most heat.

The candle’s melting center is not the problem. The underlying issue is that tunneling focuses the heat solely to the candle’s core. As a result, the rest of the wax is largely unaffected.

Why Is Candle Tunneling Troublesome?

For three reasons, candle tunneling can be a problem.

In the first place, tunneling makes it difficult to relight the candle. The wick may become unreachable if it is now lower than the candle’s side wall. As soon as the tunneling progresses to a certain point, the candle will no longer work.

Due to tunneling, you don’t want your meticulously-crafted fragrant candles ending up in the trash bin.

However minor the threat of candle tunneling may be, it is nonetheless an irritation. Stop worrying about candle tunneling by learning more about it in the next paragraphs.

What Causes Candle Tunneling?

If you don’t know what causes candle tunneling, it’s difficult to prevent or remedy it. The wrong wick size, your home’s temperature, and wax memory can all contribute to candle tunneling.

Here, we’ll go into further detail on the causes of candle tunneling.

Incorrect Wick Size

To put it simply, if the wick of a candle is too little, it will not burn correctly.

Using a candle with a wick that is too large can result in burns. As a result, you may notice that the container is covered in soot.

The container will be damaged if there is too much soot inside of it. This includes the table on which the container is resting.

Undersized wicks are the ones that cause candle tunneling.

The Temperature inside Your Home

Candle tunneling is caused by wicks that are too small.

Wax near the wick may melt faster than the rest of the wax in the room because of the heat. That will lead to obvious tunneling in the future.

Wax Memory

When you initially light a candle, all of its parts will be the same density. Certain parts of the candle will melt while others will not as the heat passes through the wax.

Even if the melted wax eventually hardens, it will not be as long-lasting as it was before the initial burn. When compared to the rest of the candle, they will melt more slowly because of their lower melting point. Wax memory refers to the softer parts of the candle.

Those previously melted sections of the candle can take days or even weeks to solidify back to their normal density. If the lightings are too close together, they will melt more quickly.

For paraffin wax candles, the formation of wax memory might be a serious problem. As a result of their hardness, palm wax candles, such as GoodLight candles, are less prone to this problem.

Different Ways to Prevent Candle Tunneling

We now have a better understanding of candle tunneling, including what causes it to occur and why it’s harmful. Now that we’ve gathered all of this information, we’re better able to stop it from happening.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the best ways to avoid candle tunneling.

Purchase Higher Quality Candles

Does it seem like the candles you are using all succumb to tunneling? That could be because you often purchase low-quality candles.

The candles you’re using seem to have a tendency to tunnel. As a result, you may have a preference for low-quality candles.

You should also pay attention to the candle’s appearance. Because paraffin wax is so pliable, candles created with it burn more quickly. Palm wax candles, on the other hand, are completely free of this problem.

Even if you take all the essential measures, a poorly built candle can still tunnel. To avoid this issue, you should be more careful when making purchases.

Set the Initial Burn Path

What about the wax memory concept we discussed earlier? When we light a candle, we need to take use of that.

Basically, you set the right burn path for your candle if you want to save it from tunneling later on. You want to level out how the candle burns by ensuring the heat gets to the edges.

Then, how do you pull it off, then? Burning the candle for the correct period of time is the key. The larger the candle, the longer you should keep the flame burning.

As the candle develops wider, the initial burn time should be increased accordingly. Before you extinguish the candle, make sure the top layer of wax is completely melted. You’ll need to be patient with this process.

At a minimum, a one-inch-wide candle should be allowed to burn for one hour. For each additional inch of candle width, add an additional hour to your schedule.

If the candle is allowed to burn for so long, the heat should be able to reach the wick’s outer borders. The next time you light a candle, those edges will melt faster and prevent tunneling.

Check on your candle every 30 minutes or so to be on the safe side. The rate at which a candle melts depends on a variety of factors. Keeping an eye on the candle’s progress is the best way to ensure it doesn’t burn out too quickly.

Keep the Wick a Bit Longer than Normal

Because trimming the wick ensures that the candle burns correctly, it is a good idea to do so. The wick should be between 1/8 and 1/4 of an inch in length.

However, if your candles have tunneled in the past, you may want to avoid pruning them by that much. You can get a larger flame by allowing the wick to burn a little longer. Burning more evenly is easier with a greater flame.

Position the Candle away from Fans and Open Windows

The candle may not burn effectively if it is kept in temperatures below freezing. When you light the candle, make sure you avoid putting it in a position where it won’t be able to melt evenly.

It’s possible that the candle won’t burn properly if it’s too chilly. You should avoid placing the candle in a location where it will not be able to melt evenly when you fire it up.

Different Ways to Fix Candle Tunneling

Let’s say it’s too late to stop the tunneling of your candle. Not to worry, there are a number of solutions available.

Check out the tips we’ve offered in this section for dealing with candle tunneling. Try each one out until you find one that works for you.

Allow the Candle to Continue Burning

A broken candle isn’t always the result of tunneling. Depending on how your candle burns, the middle may get a little tunneled. In the end, it will even out and the candle will burn as it was designed to do.

Check the width of your candle if it appears to be tunneling. Take note of how long it has been burning after that. Check to see if the candle is melting at the correct rate using the burning guidelines we mentioned before.

Warm Up Your Candle in the Oven

The oven can be used for more than just making lasagna and cake. In addition, you can use it to repair a candle that has begun to tunnel.

Place the candle in your oven that you want to repair. In order to get the temperature to 175 degrees Fahrenheit, close the oven door and turn the dial. Set the timer for five minutes, and you’re done!

Take your oven mitts and inspect the candle once the five minutes are up. With the edges melted down, it should appear lovely and smooth.

Cover the Candle in Aluminum Foil

It’s a little out of the ordinary, but it works. Aluminum foil will also be used in this project.

Gather enough aluminum foil to cover the edges of the candle’s container, as well as some overhangs, and then place it in the jar. Ideally, the overhang will cover the full brim of the container and a little portion of the interior as well.

Use many layers of aluminum foil to ensure that the overhang doesn’t fall out of position.

However, do not fully cover the candle. Because the wick should still be burning, it is necessary to allow some fresh air into the candle.

Set the candle down now that the metal cover is in place. After placing the aluminum cover on the candle, Better Homes and Gardens recommends letting it burn for an additional two hours.

It’s time to check on the candle once the two-hour time limit has expired, Be cautious, as both the aluminum lid and the container itself may be quite hot. Now, if everything went as planned, the candle’s surface should be perfectly level.

Some people try to fix candle tunneling by creating a dome of aluminum foil. Using an aluminum dome will work, although it may be more difficult to build.

Use a Candle Warmer

Unless your candle has tunneled excessively, nothing will happen.

You’ll have to come up with a new solution now that the fixes we described earlier are no longer working. Candle warmers may be the answer for you.

You can continue to enjoy your fragrance candles even after they’ve started to tunnel if you use a candle warmer. They’re interesting since they only function on the wax section of the candle, not the entire pillar of flame. A heat source is used to melt the wax and release its fragrance into your home.

Per MarthaStewart.com, candle warmers are great to use because they allow the scents to last longer, and they are also considered safer. They are safer because they do not need an open flame to melt the wax.

There are many advantages to using candle warmers over traditional candles. First, they keep the scents longer, and they’re also regarded to be more environmentally friendly. Because the wax does not need to be heated over an open flame, they are more secure.

Decide if utilizing a candle warmer to extend the life of your tunneled candle is acceptable to you.

In no way are tunneled candles ineffective. The advice we’ve provided in this post should help you solve the tunneled candles you have at home.

If you’re looking for new candles, GoodLight Candles has a vast selection to choose from. If you’re interested in making a purchase, please get in touch with us right away.

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. To make your candles last, here are some expert tips on storing them properly when they’re not in use.

Basic Candle Storing Tips

The Importance of Fire Safety

Candles can be preserved for a longer period of time if you know how to keep them properly. Expert advice on how to properly store your candles when they’re not in use will help your candles live longer.

Store Candles at Room Temperature

A candle’s purpose is to burn out. Avoid letting them melt if you won’t be able to appreciate them. To put it another way, keep your candles in a cool place when they’re not in use. In the absence of this, they may soften, bend, or melt together. One of the advantages of jar candles is that they don’t burn out, unlike pillars or tapered candles.

Candles should never be frozen for the same reason. 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

Candles aren’t the only thing that are destroyed by direct sunlight. In addition, the candle’s color and scent will fade considerably more quickly. So consider storing your candles in a pantry or bathroom cupboard, away from the sun’s UV rays. In general, the longer your candle burns, the darker the environment must be.

Avoid Moisture-Prone Areas

In addition to melting candles, direct sunshine has other undesirable effects. In addition, the candle’s color and scent will fade considerably more quickly. It’s a good idea to store your candles in a pantry or bathroom cabinet that isn’t exposed to direct sunlight. Your candle’s life will be prolonged in a dark environment.

How to Store Candles from Homesick

It’s possible to extend the usefulness of scented items like air fresheners and reed diffusers by properly keeping them. Here are our tips for preserving each of the Homesick products:.

Jar and Tumbler Candles

Candles in jars and tumblers are best stored upright. Container candles, as opposed to pillar and tapered candles, don’t melt or warp and are generally easier to take care of. The smell is preserved in the jar or container, allowing it to stay longer. Make sure that you keep your candles in a safe place, such as a box or basket, so that they don’t get shattered or smashed by other items.

Car Fresheners

Car fresheners, despite being non-wax and wick-based, must be stored properly. The next time you take it on a road trip, it won’t smell as good because, like candles, they can lose their scent rapidly. 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. Your car fresheners should be kept where they are most accessible, whether it be in the glove box or the center console of your vehicle.

Reed Diffusers

Car fresheners and reed diffuser sticks and oils have a lot in common. The oil container should be capped and stored upright to prevent it from leaking Keep the reeds in an airtight baggie till they’re ready to be used once again. There are a few things to keep in mind when utilizing numerous diffusers and reeds to disperse scents. As a result, the reeds for each oil diffuser should be clearly marked or labeled.

Organize and Store Candles

As a safety measure and to preserve the product, we hope this has given you some insight into how to store candles. You’ll be able to take advantage of them for as long as feasible this way! 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.

FAQs

What does the candle problem demonstrate?

Karl Duncker invented the “Candle Problem” in 1945 as a test of innovative problem solving. The test aims to dispel a mental bias known as “functional fixedness,” which prevents people from experimenting with unfamiliar objects.

What were the results of the candle problem experiment?

Exactly what did the Candle Problem Experiment show us? Functional inflexibility affects the vast majority of human beings. Due to its original purpose of storing thumbtacks, most people could not see the box of thumbtacks as a holder for the candle in the Candle case.

How do you support a candle on the wall?

The thumbtack box can be used in a different way: remove any tacks from the box, tack it to the wall, and then place the candle on top. Once the wax on the bottom of the candle has softened, light a match and place the candle in a box.

What is the two string problem?

When a student sees two threads dangling from the ceiling, he or she is given the task of connecting the two strings. The strings are separated so that the subjects can’t hold onto both at once. The solution relies on items that can be found in the immediate neighborhood of the strings. ”

Conclusion on How to Fix a Candle

The candle you bought last week is now burning brightly in your living room, lulling you to sleep with its comforting fragrance as you read a book. Candle tunneling, on the other hand, looms large in the back of your head. So if you want to avoid tunneling, be sure to read our tutorial on how to fix a candle.