How Do You Burn A Two Wick Candle Evenly?

A two wick candle has two wicks instead of one, which allows for a larger wax pool and bigger flame. For even burning, you want both wicks to melt the wax at the same rate so that the candle burns down evenly on both sides. This helps prevent tunneling, where one side melts faster, and makes the candle last longer. Even burning also leads to a more consistent fragrance throw and prevents soot buildup on the glass.

Trim Wicks to Equal Heights

One of the most important steps to achieving an even burn is making sure your wicks are trimmed to equal heights before lighting the candle. The height of the wick determines the size of the flame it produces. If one wick is taller, it will create a larger flame that melts more wax on that side of the candle. This can cause the wax pool to become uneven over time.

To avoid this, use wick trimmers or small scissors to carefully trim the wicks so they are exactly the same height. Aim for around 1/4″ to 1/2″ long to start with. You can always trim them shorter after the initial burn if the flames are too large.

Taking a minute to trim the wicks evenly results in a balanced burn and prevents tunneling where the wax melts unevenly. It also reduces issues like sooting which occurs when the wick is too long.

Wick Placement

The placement of the two wicks on a two wick candle affects how evenly the candle burns. Ideally, the wicks should be spaced far enough apart that the flames don’t compete for wax but close enough that the entire wax pool can melt.

If the wicks are too close together, the flames will melt the wax directly between them faster than the rest of the candle. This causes the wicks to drown as wax pools deeper around them before the outer wax has fully melted.

Spacing the wicks too far apart creates the opposite problem – the flames have their own wax pools that may not meet in the middle. This leaves unmelted wax on the edges while the wax pools around each wick tunnel downward.

Most two wick candles position the wicks about 1-2 inches apart so the flames can each access enough wax to burn evenly while still melting the entire top layer of wax. Centering the wicks over the width of the candle also encourages an even burn.

Allow the Wax Pool to Melt Completely

It’s important to allow the wax pool to melt all the way to the edges before relighting a candle to achieve an even burn. When you first light a new candle, the wax around the wick melts to form a pool of liquid wax. This wax pool should reach the entire diameter of the candle, out to the outer edges, before extinguishing the flame. If the wax pool doesn’t extend fully on the first burn, the center of the candle will melt more on subsequent burns while the edges remain untouched. This can create holes, tunnels, and uneven melting that makes it difficult to achieve an even burn. Letting the wax pool reach the edges allows the entire top layer of wax to liquefy and disperse evenly. This first complete melt primes the candle for a uniform burn. Before relighting, make sure the wax has fully hardened again. Allowing the complete melt on the first burn is crucial for double wick candles, as both wicks need to have their wax pools merge evenly across the candle top on the first burn.

Avoid Drafts

Air currents can cause candles to burn unevenly. As air blows over the flame, it causes the flame to flicker and dance, concentrating heat on one side of the wick or the other. This uneven heat distribution means that wax on one side of the candle will melt faster than wax on the other side.

To prevent drafts from impacting your candle:

• Avoid placing candles near open windows, doors, or vents where airflow is greatest.
• Consider using a candle lantern or another draft shield to protect the flame.
• Position your candle out of the way of fans, air conditioning vents, or other sources of artificial airflow.
• Shelter your candle from natural breezes as well, like those near frequently opened exterior doors.
• In general, place your candle in an area protected from air currents as much as possible.

Shielding your candle from drafts promotes an even, steady burn and prevents the wicks from becoming imbalanced over time.

Center the Candle’s Flame

To burn a two wick candle evenly, it’s important to center the flame in between the two wicks. When the flame is directly in the middle, it will melt the wax on both sides at the same rate. This prevents one side from becoming higher or creating an uneven melt pool.

Check the candle occasionally to make sure the flame remains centered. If it starts to drift toward one wick, gently blow on the opposite wick to nudge the flame back to the middle. You can also periodically rotate the candle to re-center the flame if needed.

Keeping the flame right in the middle maximizes even wax melting and fragrance throw from both wicks. This helps the candle burn down evenly all the way to the bottom for a long-lasting, optimal experience.

Use a Candle Lamp or Lantern

One of the easiest ways to achieve an even burn with a two wick candle is to use an enclosed vessel like a candle lamp or lantern. These glass containers surround the flame on all sides, protecting it from drafts while the candle burns. This allows the heat to be evenly distributed across the wax pool, creating symmetry between the two wicks and flames. The glass also contains more of the scent throw, allowing the fragrance to disperse evenly.

Candle lamps and lanterns often have a little shelf or plate beneath the candle to catch any excess wax. This keeps the glass from getting coated in wax. These vessels come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles to fit your décor. Place the candle in the candle lamp and trim the wicks to equal heights per the manufacturer’s instructions. Allow the wax pool to melt all the way across before blowing the candle out. The enclosed space should allow for an even burn every time.

Rotate the Candle

Periodically rotating the candle is one of the simplest ways to help it burn more evenly. As the candle burns down, the flame will naturally begin to favor one wick or one side. This happens because it is easier for the flame to draw up melted wax near it versus reaching across a wider pool of wax.

To counteract this, give the candle a quarter turn every few hours. This brings fresh wax near each wick and evens out the melting on all sides. The more frequently you rotate, the more uniform the melting will be. Try to turn the candle at least 2-4 times per day. Just a small rotation each time is enough to promote even burning.

Rotating works best if you allow the wax pool to fully melt between rotations. Let the candle burn for several hours, then extinguish the flame and turn the candle while the wax is still liquid. This allows the wax to re-pool evenly when you next light it. Rotating while the wax is still hot and pliable prevents wasted wax and tunneling.

Trim the Wicks as You Go

As a two wick candle burns down, it’s crucial to trim the wicks as needed to maintain even heights. If one wick becomes longer than the other, it will release more heat and melt wax faster on that side of the candle. This can lead to tunneling, where wax melts unevenly and creates deep holes rather than a nice even pool.

To prevent this, check on your candle periodically as it burns and use scissors or nail clippers to snip wicks that have gotten longer than others. Trim them down to match the height of the shortest wick. This helps ensure the wicks continue burning at the same rate as the candle depletes.

You may need to trim wicks several times for a long burning candle. Do this each time you notice uneven wick lengths before lighting. Over time, this vigilance will allow your two wick candle to burn nice and evenly all the way down.

Conclusion

Burning a two wick candle evenly is important for maximizing its burn time and reducing issues like tunneling. By following the simple tips outlined here, you can ensure efficient and even wax melting and wick burning every time.

The key points to remember are trimming the wicks to equal heights before lighting, properly positioning the wicks, allowing the wax pool to fully melt on each burning, avoiding drafts, centering the flame, using a candle lamp, rotating periodically, and trimming the wicks as needed. Putting these guidelines into practice will help achieve a clean, safe burn and evenly consumed candle.

With just a little care and attention, a two wick candle can provide many hours of enjoyment through beautiful fragrance, decor, and ambiance. By burning it correctly, you’ll get the most out of your candle while minimizing waste.