How Do You Fix A Candle Wick That Won’T Stay Lit?
A candle wick that won’t stay lit can be a frustrating issue for candle makers and users alike. When a candle’s wick keeps going out, it fails to release the candle’s fragrance and provide steady illumination. Troubleshooting and fixing an unreliable wick is important for maximizing the candle’s benefits.
There are several potential reasons why a candle wick might not stay lit. The wick could be too short, limiting fuel supply. Soot buildup on the wick can prevent it from burning properly. The wax pool might be too deep or shallow. Drafts around the candle can blow out the flame. Even high altitudes can make it harder for a wick to stay lit.
This article will provide an overview of the common causes of candle wicks not staying lit. It will also offer solutions and tips for troubleshooting and fixing the issue, from wick trimming and maintenance to positioning and draft prevention. Understanding the reasons why wicks malfunction along with the proper techniques to address them will help ensure candles burn reliably and optimally.
Reasons Why Candle Wicks Won’t Stay Lit
There are several common reasons why a candle wick may not stay lit:
The wick could be too short or thin. Thicker wicks and longer exposed wick above the wax pool are less likely to be extinguished (source).
The wick could be charred or clogged with unburned wax or soot, preventing a consistent flame. Trimming the wick or clearing away debris can help (source).
If the wax has pooled too deeply around the wick, the flame can become oxygen deprived and go out. Shallower wax pools are ideal.
Drafts from windows, doors, or fans can blow out the flame. Avoiding drafts around the candle can help.
High altitudes with lower oxygen can make it harder for wicks to sustain a flame.
Using the wrong wick size or material for the type of wax and candle can lead to poor capillary action.
Trimming the Wick
One of the main reasons why a candle wick won’t stay lit is because the wick is too long. According to the Harlem Candle Company, trimming your wick to 1⁄4 inch before lighting is recommended for optimal candle burning (https://www.harlemcandlecompany.com/blogs/journal/candle-care-101-how-to-trim-candle-wicks-the-right-way).
Use sharp scissors or a knife to trim the wick evenly. Martha Stewart advises approaching the wick from the top and cutting vertically to ensure an even trim (https://www.marthastewart.com/8053740/how-when-trim-candle-wick). Cutting the wick straight across can leave some strands longer than others, causing an uneven burn.
Trimming the wick to 1⁄4 inch helps prevent excessively large flames that produce smoke and soot. It allows just enough wick to light properly and burn slowly. Be sure to trim the wick before each lighting to maintain the optimal 1⁄4 inch length.
Preventing Soot Buildup
One of the main causes of a candle wick not staying lit is soot buildup. Soot is the black carbon residue that can accumulate on wicks and prevent them from lighting properly. There are a few ways to prevent soot buildup:
First, be sure to trim the wick regularly, after each use if possible. Trimming the wick to 1/4 inch helps remove any existing soot and allows the wick to light fresh each time. Over time, soot can build up on an untrimmed wick and prevent it from lighting evenly.
Occasionally moving the candle around can also help. Allowing the flame to burn in different areas of the wax pool helps avoid concentrated soot in one spot. Slowly rotate the candle every few hours while burning.
Using a candle lampshade or hurricane cover can prevent soot from accumulating on surfaces around the candle. The cover contains the flame and traps some of the soot that would otherwise spread into the air and settle around the candle.
With proper wick trimming and occasional rotation while burning, soot buildup can be minimized. This helps ensure the wick continues lighting properly with each use.
Clearing Charred Wicks
If the wick has become covered in black soot or charred from previous burnings, it can prevent the wick from lighting properly. To fix this, you need to gently scrape and remove the charred portions of the wick before attempting to relight.
First, use scissors or nail clippers to trim off the blackened tip of the wick. Be sure to cut below the charred section so you have a clean edge. Next, take a sharp needle, pin, or knife and very gently scrape the sides of the wick to remove any additional burnt material or carbon buildup.
Be very careful not to cut or damage the wick fibers. You just want to gently scrape and brush away the charred portions. Remove any loose black material from the top and sides of the wick.
Once you’ve cleared away all the sooty portions, allow the wick to completely dry before attempting to relight it. The charred areas need to be fully removed so the wick can properly draw up the wax and create a flame.
If gently scraping does not remove all the blackened areas, you may need to replace the wick. But in most cases, a little scraping and trimming is all that’s needed to restore a charred wick and get your candle burning brightly again.
Checking Wick Size
One of the most common reasons candle wicks won’t stay lit is using a wick that is too small for the candle’s diameter. The wick needs to be wide enough to generate a sufficient wax pool as the candle burns. As a general rule, larger candles require larger wick sizes. For example, a 1-inch diameter candle would use a smaller wick, like CD 4, while a 3-inch diameter pillar candle would need a larger wick, like CD 10 or CD 12 (Choosing the Right Wick Size – Candle Making Guide).
To check if you are using the proper wick size, consult a candle wick size chart or calculator to match the wick to the candle diameter. Wicks that are too small for the candle often tunnel or drown, resulting in dim flames that struggle to stay lit. Switching to a more appropriately sized wick for the candle’s width provides a stronger flame and wax pool (Guide to Candle Wicks | How to Decide Which Wick To Use). With the right wick-to-width ratio, the candle can burn properly from edge to edge.
Repositioning the Wick
One of the most common reasons a candle wick won’t stay lit is because it has drifted off-center and is no longer properly immersed in the wax. This can happen after blowing out the candle or as the wax pool melts down unevenly. Thankfully, repositioning the wick is an easy fix.
After blowing out the candle, wait for the wax to cool and harden slightly. Then use a pair of long metal tweezers to grip the wick and gently reposition it back to the center of the candle. You only need to dip the tweezers about 1/2 inch into the wax to grasp the wick. Be careful not to damage or pull up the wick.
Alternatively, you can wait until the candle has fully hardened again and use a toothpick to help prop up the wick in the center as the wax re-melts. Press the toothpick down into the wax to hold the wick in place. When the candle is lit, the toothpick will burn away while keeping the wick centered. This is a useful trick for especially soft or pliable waxes.
Properly centering the wick each time you relight an unevenly burned candle will help ensure it continues burning bright. Take care not to tilt or move the candle as it re-melts so the wick stays centered in the wax pool. With the wick positioned back in the middle, capillary action can pull up the wax and your candle should burn smoothly once again.
Source: https://hotellobbycandle.com/blogs/candle-tips/how-to-re-center-a-candle-wick
Preventing Deep Wax Pools
One of the most common reasons a candle wick won’t stay lit is if the wax pool becomes too deep. As a general rule, the melted wax pool should be no deeper than 1/2 to 1 inch. If the wax pool exceeds this depth, it can drown the wick and prevent it from lighting properly. To avoid deep wax pools, it’s important to extinguish the candle before the wax gets too deep. According to Armatage Candle Company, melt pools should stay between 1/8″ and 1/4″ when fully formed.
Allowing the wax pool to become too deep can also lead to issues like tunneling, where the wax melts unevenly. Extinguishing the candle before the wax gets excessively deep will help maintain an optimal melt pool depth and allow the wick to continue burning properly.
Avoiding Drafts
Drafts from ceiling fans, air conditioning vents, and open windows can prevent candle wicks from staying lit. Air currents blowing across the top of a burning candle will cause the flame to flutter and potentially go out.
To avoid issues with drafts:
- Shield candles from fans, vents, and open windows. Place candles away from these sources of air currents when burning them. Position them in enclosed areas without direct airflow.
- Close windows and doors near candles when they are lit. Even small breezes from cracks or openings can disturb candle flames.
- Block air conditioning ducts that point toward candles. Use a diffuser or redirect ducts during candle use.
Creating a draft-free area will help candle wicks burn strong and upright without sputtering out frequently. Be aware of any air currents around burning candles and take steps to minimize them for best results.
Source: https://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/2828/family/7_tips_for_burning_the_perfect_candle.html
Adjusting for High Altitudes
Candles can be harder to light and keep lit at higher elevations. This is because the air is thinner at high altitudes, which provides less oxygen for the flame. As a result, the flame struggles to stay lit.
To help candles burn better in high altitudes, use a larger wick size than you normally would at sea level. The larger wick provides more fuel for the flame to stay lit with the limited oxygen available. Some candle makers recommend going up 1-2 wick sizes when making candles for high altitude use (Source).
You may need to experiment to find the right wick size that allows your candle to burn cleanly and stay lit at the specific elevation where you live. Start with a wick size slightly larger than the manufacturer recommendation and observe how the candle performs. Adjust the wick as needed until you find the optimal size.
With the right wick adjustments, you can enjoy beautifully burning candles even in higher altitude locations.
