Candle Tunnelling | What Is it? Common Causes? How To Fix It? How To Prevent it?

Candle tunnelling is a frustrating phenomenon that occurs when a candle burns down the centre, leaving an outer ring of wax untouched. Not only does this look unsightly, but it also wastes a significant portion of the candle, reducing its overall lifespan. In this article, we will explore what causes candle tunnelling, how to fix it, and most importantly, how to prevent it from happening in the first place.

What Is Candle Tunnelling?

Candle tunnelling occurs when the flame of a candle burns straight down the centre of the wax, leaving a tunnel of unused wax around the edges. This phenomenon is typically caused by several factors, including poor wick quality, an inadequate burn time, and the quality of the wax itself. Candle tunnelling can be frustrating, particularly when it happens to a candle that you have invested a significant amount of time and money into. However, with the right knowledge and techniques, you can fix this issue and prevent it from happening in the future.

Common Causes of Candle Tunnelling

Several factors can cause candle tunnelling, including:

1. Poor Quality Wick: One of the primary causes of candle tunnelling is a poor-quality wick. If the wick is too small or not centred in the candle, it will not generate enough heat to melt the wax evenly. This will cause the flame to tunnel straight down the centre of the candle, leaving a ring of unused wax around the edges.

2. Inadequate Burn Time: Another common cause of candle tunnelling is an inadequate burn time. If you only burn your candle for a short period of time, it will not create a wide enough melt pool. This will cause the flame to tunnel down the centre of the candle, leaving a ring of unused wax around the edges.

3. Poor Quality Wax: The quality of the wax itself can also contribute to candle tunnelling. If the wax is of poor quality, it may not melt evenly, causing the flame to tunnel straight down the centre of the candle.

How To Fix Candle Tunnelling

If you have a candle that has tunnelled, there are a few steps that you can take to fix it:

1. Trim the Wick: The first step in fixing a tunnelled candle is to trim the wick. If the wick is too long, it can cause the flame to burn too hot, leading to tunnelling. Trim the wick to approximately 1/4 inch to ensure an even burn.

2. Burn the Candle for Long Enough: To fix a tunnelled candle, you need to burn it for long enough to create a wide melt pool. This can take several hours, depending on the size of the candle. Allow the candle to burn until the wax has melted evenly across the entire surface.

3. Use a Candle Warmer: Another way to fix a tunnelled candle is to use a candle warmer. A candle warmer is a device that gently heats the candle, causing the wax to melt evenly. This will help to fix the tunnelling issue and ensure that the candle burns evenly in the future.

How To Prevent Candle Tunnelling

Preventing candle tunnelling is much easier than fixing it. Here are some tips to help prevent candle tunnelling:

1. Choose High-Quality Candles: The first step in preventing candle tunnelling is to choose high-quality candles. Look for candles made from high-quality wax and with a high-quality wick. This will ensure that the candle burns evenly and does not tunnel.

2. Burn the Candle for Long Enough: Burn your candle for long enough to create a wide melt pool. This will ensure that the flame melts the wax evenly and prevents tunnelling.

3. Trim the Wick: Always trim the wick