How to Fix Common Candle Problems Like Tunneling and Frosting
There’s nothing quite as frustrating as lighting your favorite candle only to discover it’s not burning properly. Whether you’re dealing with tunneling, frosting, or other common issues, the good news is that most candle problems have simple solutions. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common candle problems and exactly how to fix them.
Problem #1: Tunneling (The Most Common Issue)
Tunneling happens when your candle burns down the center, leaving a thick ring of unused wax around the edges. Not only does this waste wax, but it also shortens your candle’s life and weakens the scent throw.
Why it happens: Tunneling occurs when you don’t let your candle burn long enough during the first use. Candles have a “wax memory,” meaning they’ll only burn as wide as the first burn pool you create.
How to fix it:
Prevention (the best approach): Always burn your candle long enough on the first use to create a full melt pool across the entire surface. This typically takes 1-2 hours for standard-sized candles. A good rule of thumb is to burn your candle for one hour per inch of diameter.
If tunneling has already started: You have a few options:
- Wrap aluminum foil around the top of the candle, leaving the center exposed. This reflects heat back onto the sides and helps melt the outer wax ring. Burn for 2-3 hours.
- Use a heat gun or hair dryer on low heat to carefully melt the surface wax until it’s level again.
- If the tunnel is deep, carefully scoop out excess wax from the sides with a spoon when the wax is slightly warm (not hot), then melt the surface to level it.
Problem #2: Frosting on Soy Candles
Frosting appears as white, crystalline patterns on the surface or sides of soy and other natural wax candles. It looks like your candle has developed a frosty coating.
Why it happens: Frosting is a natural characteristic of soy wax caused by the natural oils in the wax separating and crystallizing. It’s completely normal and doesn’t affect the candle’s performance at all.
How to fix it:
The truth: Frosting is purely cosmetic and actually indicates you have a pure, natural candle. It’s a sign of quality, not a defect.
If you prefer the look without frosting: Gently heat the candle’s surface with a heat gun or hair dryer until the frosting disappears. However, it may return over time, especially with temperature changes.
Best approach: Embrace it as a characteristic of natural candles. Many handmade candle lovers consider frosting a badge of authenticity.
Problem #3: Mushrooming Wicks
Mushrooming is when carbon builds up on the wick, creating a mushroom-shaped cap that causes smoking, soot, and an enlarged flame.
Why it happens: This occurs when the wick is too large for the candle, when there are additives in the wax, or when the wick hasn’t been trimmed regularly.
How to fix it:
- Always trim your wick to 1/4 inch before each burn. This is the single most important candle care habit.
- If you notice mushrooming during a burn, extinguish the candle, let it cool, trim the mushroom cap off, and relight.
- Make sure you’re burning your candle in a draft-free area, as air currents can cause uneven burning and excess carbon buildup.
Problem #4: Weak Scent Throw
You’ve lit your candle but can barely smell it, even when standing right next to it.
Why it happens: Poor scent throw can be caused by low-quality fragrance oils, insufficient curing time, a cold room, or simply burning the candle in too large a space.
How to fix it:
- Burn your candle in appropriately sized rooms. A standard 8oz candle typically works well in rooms up to 150 square feet.
- Make sure the full surface has melted into a wax pool. The wider the melt pool, the better the scent diffusion.
- Close doors and windows to contain the fragrance.
- Allow handmade candles to cure properly before burning (usually 1-2 weeks after purchase for optimal scent).
- Choose candles with a higher fragrance load, typically 8-10% for soy candles.
Problem #5: Sinkholes or Wet Spots
Sinkholes are cavities that form as the wax cools, while wet spots appear as gaps between the wax and the container.
Why it happens: These issues typically occur during the candle-making process due to temperature fluctuations, pouring temperature, or cooling conditions.
How to fix it:
Sinkholes: If you notice a sinkhole forming near the wick as your candle burns, it won’t affect performance. The wax will melt normally when you light it.
Wet spots: These are purely cosmetic and don’t affect how the candle burns. They’re more common in natural waxes and actually indicate the wax has contracted slightly from the container, which is normal.
Bottom line: Neither issue affects candle quality or performance, so no fix is necessary.
Problem #6: Sooting or Black Smoke
Black smoke or soot deposits on the container are signs your candle isn’t burning cleanly.
Why it happens: Common causes include an untrimmed wick, burning in a drafty area, or a wick that’s too large for the container.
How to fix it:
- Trim the wick to 1/4 inch before every burn.
- Move the candle away from vents, fans, or windows.
- If smoke persists despite these fixes, the wick may be incorrectly sized (a manufacturing issue).
- To clean soot off glass containers, use rubbing alcohol and a cloth.
Problem #7: Crackling or Popping Sounds
While some candles (like wood wick candles) are designed to crackle, unexpected popping can be concerning.
Why it happens: Usually caused by debris, moisture, or air bubbles in the wax.
How to fix it:
- Keep your candle free from debris by always replacing the lid when not in use.
- Trim away any charred portions of the wick before relighting.
- If the crackling is excessive or causes wax to splatter, discontinue use as there may be trapped moisture or other contaminants.
General Candle Care Tips for Problem Prevention
The best way to deal with candle problems is to prevent them in the first place:
1. First burn matters most: Always burn your new candle long enough to create a full melt pool on the first use.
2. Trim your wicks: Cut wicks to 1/4 inch before each burn to prevent smoking and mushrooming.
3. Burn for the right amount of time: Aim for 2-4 hours per burn session, but never exceed 4 hours.
4. Create the right environment: Burn candles away from drafts and in appropriately sized spaces.
5. Store properly: Keep candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent fading and frosting.
6. Use candle accessories: Wick trimmers, candle snuffers, and lighters make proper candle care easier.
When to Say Goodbye to a Candle
Even with perfect care, every candle eventually reaches the end of its life. Stop burning your candle when:
- Only 1/2 inch of wax remains at the bottom
- The container becomes too hot to touch
- The flame reaches the bottom of the container
At this point, you can clean out the remaining wax and repurpose the container.
The Bottom Line
Most candle problems are easily preventable with proper care, and many are simply natural characteristics of quality, handmade candles.
By understanding why these issues occur and how to address them, you’ll get the most out of every candle you burn.
Remember, a little prevention goes a long way especially that crucial first burn.
Have questions about your specific candle issue? Feel free to reach out, and happy burning!
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