How To Fix A Candle That Is Tunnelling?

Candle tunnelling—it’s annoying, unsightly, and something we’ve all dealt with at least once. If you’re a big fan of Christmas candles, you’ve probably come across one that just won’t melt evenly, leaving a ring of stubborn wax around the inside of the jar.

This frustrating issue usually happens when you don’t let a new candle burn long enough during its first use. It can also be caused by a wick that’s too small or slightly off-centre.

What Does Candle Tunnelling Means?

Candle tunnelling happens when only the wax around the wick melts while the rest stays solid. Instead of the wax melting evenly across the surface, the flame creates a "tunnel" straight down the centre—hence the name.

Inside the tunnel, the wax under the flame melts quickly, while the outer wax stays hard. Over time, this makes the tunnelling worse. 

As the wick sinks deeper, it struggles to get enough oxygen to stay lit, eventually causing the candle to go out.

The bigger issue? Tunnelling wastes a lot of wax and reduces your candle’s burn time. 

Normally, a candle’s burn time is based on the total amount of wax in the container. Larger candles generally last longer.

However, with tunnelling, only the wax inside the tunnel gets used. 

Why Does It Happen?

People often think candle tunnelling means poor quality. However, it’s not true. 

The cheaper candles are more prone to tunnelling than luxury ones. 

It can happen to any candle—even the most expensive one.

There are two main reasons why tunnelling occurs:

Poor Candle Burning Habits

Not following proper burning practices, like letting the wax melt evenly on the first burn, can lead to tunnelling.

Improperly Sized Wicks

A wick that’s too small for the candle’s size won’t generate enough heat to melt the entire surface of the wax, causing tunnelling over time.

How To Fix It?

Here are some quick and simple ways on how to stop candle tunnelling.

Use Aluminum Foil

One of the easiest fixes involves aluminium foil—something most of us have in the kitchen. 

Wrap a piece of foil around the top edge of the candle, ensuring it covers the tunnelling area but leaves the centre open for the flame.

The aluminium foil for candle tunnelling helps by evenly distributing heat and trapping it, allowing the leftover wax to melt properly. 

The method is quick, effective, and doesn’t require any fancy tools!

Use a Hair Dryer

For small tunnelling issues, a hair dryer can help smooth out the wax. Simply turn on the dryer and direct the heat toward the uneven surface of the candle. 

While this method works, it’s important to note that hair dryers don’t get extremely hot, so it may take a little patience to fully melt and even out the wax.

Try a Candle Topper

Candle toppers are another great option. These decorative metal lids not only look cute but also help protect the flame from drafts, allowing the wax to melt evenly. 

You can find them in festive designs like snowflakes or snowmen for Christmas or simple, everyday styles like scalloped patterns.

How To Prevent Candle Tunnelling?

Candle tunnelling can be avoided with a few simple habits. Here’s how to fix a candle not burning evenly:

Burn Your Candle Long Enough the First Time

Experts agree that the first burn is crucial for avoiding tunnelling. Let your candle burn long enough for the wax to melt evenly across the surface. Depending on the size, this can take between one to four hours.

Don’t Burn a Candle for More Than Four Hours

Overburning can cause the candle to overheat, which may weaken or crack the glass jar. So, keep burn times under four hours for safety.

Trim the Wick Regularly

Proper wick care is key. Trim the wick to about ¼ inch before each use to prevent debris from falling into the wax or causing the wick to “mushroom.” This also helps minimize smoke and soot, ensuring a cleaner burn. You can place the candles in the decorative trays.

Avoid Drafty Areas

Keep your candles away from open windows, fans, or drafty spots. Strong air currents can make the flame flicker, leading to uneven burning and tunnelling.

Candle tunnelling is Bad. But How?

Candle tunnelling that you see - is not an issue, but it has some concerns.

Wax Waste

Tunnelling wastes a lot of wax. The unmelted wax on the side remains unused, reducing the candle's lifespan. 

Less Scent Throw

When the wax on the sides does not melt, the fragrances in that wax do not get released into the air. 

Difficult to Light

The wick getting deeper into the tunnel makes it hard to light up the flame. 

Safety Concerns

Tunnelling can lead to uneven burns that raise the risk of the flame catching something outside the candle.

To Sum Up

The easiest way to fix candle tunnelling is to stop it from happening in the first place. It’s super simple!

To prevent tunnelling, burn your candle long enough each time so that the entire top layer of wax melts evenly. 

It is especially important the very first time you light your candle.

How long should you burn it? It depends on the size of the candle.

You can consider burning the candle for about an hour for every inch of its diameter. 

For example, if your candle is 3 inches wide, let it burn for about 3 hours before blowing it out.