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If you've ever noticed a frustrating ring of solid wax on larger candles, you've encountered tunneling. This issue isn't just unsightly—it shortens the candle's life and makes it less functional.
Tunneling occurs when the flame melts only the central wax, leaving the outer edges solid. As this continues, the wick sinks into the middle, creating a tunnel of unused wax. This is problematic for two main reasons: First, unused wax is wasted, reducing the candle's overall burn time. (This is especially frustrating with high-end or expensive candles.) Second, tunneling makes the candle harder to light and increases the risk of the flame being snuffed out by dripping wax, which is incredibly inconvenient.
Learn the proper way to burn candles and prevent tunneling
Uneven burning, often due to extinguishing a new candle too quickly, leads to tunneling. To avoid this, ensure new candles burn long enough for the entire surface to melt, which may take several hours based on the candle's size. Other factors like uneven surfaces, drafts, or a misaligned or short wick can also cause tunneling. While flat surfaces and draft-free areas are simple fixes, wick issues are more challenging. Avoid trimming the wick before the first burn, but an off-center wick may require manual adjustment or acceptance of some uneven burning.
How to repair candle tunnels
Fortunately, tunneled candles can be restored. The simplest solution is the foil method: Wrap the candle in foil, create a central hole for the flame, and ensure the foil covers the tunneled edges. Light the candle and let it burn until the wax surface melts evenly. Alternatively, use your oven—The Kitchn suggests preheating to 175ºF and placing the candle on a baking sheet for about five minutes to melt the wax.
After using any method to fix a tunneled candle, ensure the wick is clear of melted wax. While the wax is still soft, use a toothpick to uncover the wick and remove any excess wax that could extinguish the flame when melted.
