Candle aficionados know that you can’t burn a new candle willy-nilly. A candle’s first lighting is its most important, since wax has memory. If you don’t let a freshly lit candle burn long enough, it may result in a tunnel of wax along the edges of the vessel that will deepen every time it’s lit.…
The good news is there’s an easy way to fix a tunneled candle and it only requires one item that you likely already have at home. Take it from TikTok creator @sircandleman, who says all you need is a kitchen staple — aluminum foil — and three simple steps to even out your candle’s wax.
First, trim the wick to a quarter-inch long and light it. Once it’s lit, wrap aluminum foil around the candle, creating a cone shape that extends a few inches above the rim. Leave a 1-inch opening at the top so the candle has enough oxygen to burn. Then, all that’s left to do is wait for the tunneled wax to even out. Depending on the severity of the tunneling, this may take 45 minutes to an hour.
The aluminum foil creates an insulated environment for the flame, allowing it to stay steady and continuously radiate heat. The result? An even burn pool.
Why Does a Candle Tunnel?
The most common reason a candle tunnels is because it wasn’t burned long enough the first time. When lighting a new candle, be sure to allow yourself plenty of time — not right before bed — as a first burn can take anywhere from one to four hours, depending on the size of the candle.
A problem with the wick could also be the culprit. It may be too small for the candle or improperly placed. If that’s the case, try our bonus hack to gently melt the wax and expose more of the wick.
Fresh out of aluminum foil? Spare yourself a trip to the grocery store and grab a hair dryer to melt the tunneled wax instead. Use the lowest heat setting and hold the hair dryer a safe distance away from you to avoid spatter. This method is best for minor tunneling.
Candle Maintenance Tips
Trim the wick before each burn. A shorter wick reduces smoke and soot, resulting in a cleaner burn. Trimming it also extends the burn time, since longer wicks burn faster, consuming more wax.
Keep the candle free of dust. Not only does it block the release of fragrance molecules, but it can get caught in the flame, causing an uneven burn. Nylon pantyhose are surprisingly effective for cleaning dust off a candle. The material’s soft texture won’t scratch the surface and its natural electrostatic charge attracts fine particles.
Use a candle snuffer. Snuffing is a gentle way to extinguish a flame, protecting the wick and wax from being blown out of place.
