How to Prevent Candle Tunneling: 3 Simple Tips for Perfect Burns

Candle tunneling (when your wax won't melt to the edge of a container) can be a frustrating and costly problem. When your candle burns down the middle but leaves wax along the edges, you're not getting the full value from your purchase. Let me share three proven tips to prevent this common issue and enjoy your candles to their fullest potential!

1. Your First Burn Is Everything

Wax has a memory (this varies depending on the types of wax used), so the first burn of your new candle is crucial. You must let it melt all the way to the edge of the container during this initial lighting. If you don't, on subsequent burns the wax will only melt to the point where you let it burn the first time.

• Follow the One-Hour Rule: A good rule of thumb is one hour of burn time for each inch of diameter across the surface of the wax.
• Don't Overdo It: Generally, you shouldn't burn candles for more than four hours as they can become too hot.

2. Find the Perfect Spot

Avoid drafty locations in your space. Air conditioning (and even heat) can wreak havoc on what would otherwise be a clean burn. The environment around your candle matters more than you might think!

• Stay Away From Drafts: Try to avoid drafty areas since the flame will dance around and cause wax to melt unevenly.
• Reduce Smoke and Soot: Stable air helps prevent excess smoke and black marks on your container.

3. Fix Tunneling When It Happens

Don't worry if tunneling has already started—you can fix it! With a few simple household items, you can rescue your tunneled candle and get back to enjoying even burns.

• The Foil Method: On the next burn, try wrapping a folded piece of aluminum foil around the edge of the container. Leave a big enough hole up top for smoke and heat to escape, but the foil will help reflect the heat along the edge of the melt pool.
• Heat It Up: If that doesn't work, you can always use a hair dryer or heat gun to even out the entire pool of wax. Let your candle cool down again, and use the tips above to get that even, clean burn.

Taking care of your candles ensures you'll enjoy their fragrance longer and get the most value from your purchase. At Noble Crown Fragrances, we craft our candles to burn evenly, but these tips will help you maintain the perfect burn with any quality candle in your collection.

Ready to experience luxurious, tunnel-free burns? Explore our collection of handcrafted candles designed for the perfect burn every time!