How Can I Get My Candle To Burn Evenly?

Uneven candle burning is a common problem that many candle users face. It occurs when the candle burns more quickly on one side, creating an uneven melt pool and wasting wax. There are several potential causes of uneven burning, which we’ll explore in this guide.

An unevenly burning candle can create safety issues, like excess dripping or a higher risk of the candle tunneling down the center and creating a fire hazard. It also shortens the life of the candle and prevents it from filling the room with an even, consistent fragrance. By understanding what causes uneven burning and how to fix it, you can extend the life of your candle and enjoy a safer, more satisfactory burn.

Wick Issues

One of the most common reasons for uneven burning is an improperly sized wick. The wick acts as the fuel delivery system for the candle, so it needs to be the right thickness to absorb just enough wax to keep the flame burning evenly without getting too large.

If the wick is too short or thin, it won’t be able to draw up enough wax to feed the flame properly. This can lead to the flame getting very small, flickering, tunneling into the wax, or going out completely. According to candlescience.com, an improperly wicked candle often has unreliable burn times and poor fragrance throw. A wick that is too short may also lead to wasted wax around the edges and a diminished overall burn time for the candle.

On the other hand, if the wick is too long or thick, it will absorb too much wax. This can cause the flame to get too large and sooty, releasing more smoke and emitting a stronger scent. Large wicks also tend to mushroom at the tip as the flame chars the wick. MarthaStewart.com recommends keeping wicks trimmed to 1/4 inch to prevent issues, though the ideal length depends on the specific candle. In general, the wick should be just long enough to allow the wax to liquify into a pool while keeping the flame at a reasonable size without smoking.

Wax Issues

The composition and hardness of the wax can greatly impact how evenly a candle burns. Harder waxes like paraffin and beeswax have a higher melting point, allowing them to hold their shape as the candle burns. Softer waxes like soy or gel wax can melt into a liquid pool more quickly or become misshapen as they burn, affecting the size and shape of the wax pool.

Certain additives blended into the wax, such as paraffin or vybar, can influence the melting point. Higher concentrations of these additives can make the wax harder and slower-burning. Too many additives can cause clogging of the wick as the additives build up during burning. The Candle Science guide recommends keeping additives below 10% of the wax weight.

The purity and quality of the wax also matters. Unrefined waxes with more impurities or air pockets can burn less evenly. Refining and filtering the wax properly ensures a smoother, more complete burn.

Container Issues

The material, shape, and size of the candle container can significantly impact how evenly and efficiently the candle burns. Glass, metal, and ceramic containers tend to be the best options, as they evenly distribute heat and allow oxygen to flow to the flame. Materials like plastic and wood are more insulating and restrict air flow, often causing tunneling and an uneven burn (According to https://www.quora.com/How-does-the-size-of-a-candles-wick-affect-the-rate-at-which-it-burns).

The shape of the container also matters. Tall, narrow containers provide less surface area for the melting wax to pool, which can lead to drowning the wick and create tunneling. Shorter, wider jars allow more even melting and less issues with wick drowning. A container too wide, however, provides too much surface for the wax to melt and can also cause problems (https://www.craftserver.com/topic/92330-do-candle-containers-effect-performance/page/2/). The ideal shape is often a ratio around 2:1 width to height.

Finally, the size of the container greatly impacts burn time and efficiency. Larger containers hold more wax volume and surface area, allowing the candle to burn longer before the entire wax pool melts. However, an oversized container can provide too much air flow and result in a fast, hot burn. Smaller containers generally burn cooler and slower, though they have less total burn time. Matching wick size properly to the container dimensions is critical (According to https://www.classace.io/answers/what-effect-do-the-different-sized-glass-containers-have-on-the-length-of-time-a-candle-will-burn).

Curing

Curing candles before burning is an essential step for achieving an even burn. Curing refers to allowing the candle to rest undisturbed for a period of time after it has been poured and cooled. This process, which can take 1-2 weeks, allows the wax to fully harden and stabilizes the candle structure.

During curing, fragrance oils and dyes have time to fully settle into the wax. Rushing to burn an uncured candle can lead to issues like tunneling, where the wax melts unevenly. Curing allows fragrance to distribute evenly, leading to a stronger scent throw when the candle is lit [1].

Candle makers recommend curing containers with the lids off in a dry, room temperature area. Never rush curing or try to accelerate the process with heat. Patience allows all candle components to stabilize for optimal performance. Only after a full curing period will the candle burn smoothly and evenly from edge to edge.

Location

The location where you burn your candle can impact how evenly it burns. Drafts, temperature, and humidity are three key factors to consider:

Drafts from open windows, doors, or fans can blow on the candle flame. This disrupts the melt pool and causes the candle to burn unevenly, tunneling down the center. Avoid burning candles near drafts. [Source 1]

Temperature also affects candle burn. If it’s too cold, the wax won’t melt properly. Ideal room temperature is around 70°F. Candles may tunnel or struggle to melt if it’s cooler than 65°F. [Source 2]

Humidity impacts how quickly wax melts and how the melted wax is carried up the wick. Burn candles in moderate humidity between 40-60% for best results. Very dry or humid conditions can lead to uneven burning. [Source 3]

Pick protected, draft-free spots away from windows or doors. Maintain comfortable room temperature and moderate humidity for optimal candle burning.

Burn Time

When burning a candle, it’s important not to burn it for too long or too short of a time. Burning a candle for too long can cause issues like tunneling, where the wax melts unevenly. Generally, it’s recommended to limit each candle burn to 2-4 hours at a time. Burning a candle for longer than 4 hours in one sitting can pose safety risks if the wax overheats or the wick has issues (Source 1).

On the other hand, not letting a candle burn long enough, such as blowing it out after just 30 minutes, can also lead to an uneven melt. Most candles need at least 1-2 hours to properly liquefy the top layer of wax for an even burn. Burning in short spurts doesn’t allow time for the wax to melt evenly around the wick (Source 2). To ensure an even burn, aim for 1-2 hours at a time.

Maintenance

Proper maintenance of your candle is crucial for achieving an even burn. One of the most important maintenance tasks is trimming the wick to the proper length. As the Harlem Candle Company recommends, you should trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch before each lighting to prevent the wick from getting too long. This helps the flame burn evenly across the top of the wax pool. The wick should be trimmed gently using scissors or nail clippers. Never leave the wick untrimmed or allow it to become too long, as this causes uneven burning and tunneling.

You should also maintain the wax pool by keeping it free of debris and dust. Real Simple notes that dust and dirt settling into the melted wax can clog the wick and impede even burning. Gently clean the melted wax pool using a cotton swab before relighting if needed. Allow the wax pool to solidify completely between burns. Proper wick trimming and keeping the wax pool clean are two simple maintenance steps that promote a nice even flame.

Troubleshooting

If you notice your candle tunneling, where the center of the wax melts faster than the outer edges, or the sides get too hot and start to melt, there are a few things you can try to get it to burn evenly again:

• Trim the wick – Use wick trimmers to trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch before each lighting. This will help prevent tunneling by reducing the size of the flame.
• Pour off the melted wax – After blowing out the candle, pour off any melted wax so it burns on fresh wax. This can help reduce tunneling.
• Move the candle occasionally – If the sides start getting too hot, move the candle to a different position so it burns in a new spot. Rotate every few hours.
• Add foil – Place strips of aluminum foil or heat shields down the melting sides. This will reflect the heat inward and prevent too much melting on the sides.

If tunneling and uneven melting continue to be an issue after trying these tips, the wax blend, wick size or candle container may need to be adjusted for optimal performance.

Summary

Here’s a recap of the key points for achieving an even candle burn:

• Trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to prevent excess smoking.
• Allow the wax to cure properly after pouring to minimize melt pool issues.
• Choose a candle container that’s wide enough for the melt pool.
• Avoid drafts, vents, and fans around the burning candle.
• Allow the candle to burn for at least 1 hour per inch of diameter.
• Maintain the melt pool by pouring off melted wax as needed.
• If tunneling occurs, blow out the flame and re-center the wick.

An even burn will maximize burn time and allow you to fully enjoy the candle. Following these tips will help achieve the best possible performance.