How Do You Fix A Sinkhole In A Candle?
What is a sinkhole in a candle?
A sinkhole in a candle is a small hole or empty pocket that forms in the wax, usually in the center or around the wick. Sinkholes are caused by improper wicking during the candle making process. When the wick is too wide for the diameter of the candle, it creates excess heat that melts a pocket in the surrounding wax. As the candle burns down, this empty space remains and deepens, creating a visible sinkhole.
Sinkholes can range in size from a small dip around the wick to large gaps that make the candle dangerous to burn. Properly wicking a candle is crucial to preventing sinkholes. The wick must match the width and shape of the candle so it burns at an even rate without creating excess heat. Using the wrong wick or pouring candles too hot is the primary cause of sinkholes. With care in preparation, sinkholes can be avoided.
Identifying sinkholes
Sinkholes in candles most commonly occur when the wax around the wick starts sinking down and collapsing in on itself, creating a hole or indentation. This can happen while the candle is burning or even after it has been extinguished and cooled (1). There are a few signs to look out for when identifying a sinkhole:
– The wax directly surrounding the wick appears to be sinking down and away from the side walls of the candle. This creates a visible hole or depression compared to the rest of the smooth wax surface (2).
– The wick is loose and keeps falling over into the hole instead of standing upright. The wick may also bend to one side. This occurs because the wax that was supporting it has diminished (1).
– Tunneling or a narrowing cavity has formed around the wick, getting progressively deeper over time (2).
Sinkholes are most likely to develop in container candles that use softer wax like paraffin or soy wax. Beeswax and some palm wax blends are less susceptible. Pillar candles, votives and tea lights can all experience sinkholes, especially if there is an issue with wick sizing (1).
Sources:
(1) https://www.harlemcandlecompany.com/blogs/journal/what-causes-sinkholes-in-candles-how-to-prevent-them
(2) https://villagecraftandcandle.com/blogs/news/how-to-prevent-and-fix-sinkholes-in-candles
Preventing sinkholes
There are a few key things you can do to help prevent sinkholes from forming in candles:
Proper wicking is important. Make sure the wick is the right thickness for the diameter of the candle. A wick that is too small will not burn hot enough, while an oversized wick can create excess melting and pooling that leads to sinkholes (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/how-to-prevent-sinkholes-in-candles–993677105254928845/).
Conditioning the wax prior to pouring candles is recommended. This involves heating and cooling the wax to align the wax molecules and improve its ability to adhere properly as it hardens. Well-conditioned wax is less prone to issues like sinkholes (https://www.tiktok.com/discover/how-to-prevent-sinkholes-in-candles).
Maintaining proper room temperature as the candle sets up is also key. Drafty conditions or temperature fluctuations can cause wax to cool and harden unevenly, increasing the chances of sinkholes developing.
Fixing small sinkholes
Small sinkholes in candles can often be fixed at home without too much trouble. Here are some methods to try:
The heating and cooling method involves heating the wax above the sinkhole with a heat gun or hairdryer to melt it, then allowing it to cool and settle back into place. As the wax starts to melt, use a toothpick or skewer to gently push the softened wax back towards the center of the candle, filling in the hole. Let it fully cool and set before lighting the candle again. This helps level out the wax by allowing the melted wax to redistribute evenly as it hardens [1].
You can also use a wick dip, which is wax specially formulated to quickly adhere to candle wicks. Light the candle to warm and soften the wax around the sinkhole, then use a toothpick to apply the wick dip into the hole and around the wick. The wick dip will harden and help fill in gaps.Trim the wick before lighting again.
As a temporary fix, you can fill small holes by dropping extra wax beads, soy wax flakes, or pieces of unused candle wax directly into the sinkhole. The residual heat from the lit candle will melt them into place. This may not be as durable as other methods, but can work for shallow holes.
Fixing large sinkholes
For larger sinkholes that leave big gaps in the candle, you’ll likely need to remove all the wax and rebuild the candle from scratch. According to Village Craft and Candle, start by using a knife to cut around the edges of the sinkhole and pry out the sunken wax. Remove all wax down to the bottom of the container so you have an empty vessel.
Next, prepare new wax for pouring following your original candle recipe. Make sure the wax is fully melted and at the proper temperature before re-pouring into the container. Let the wax fully set up overnight before proceeding.
Trim the original wick or insert a new wick, centering it in the wax. According to Harlem Candle Company, trimming the wick will remove any clogged sections that may have contributed to the sinkhole in the first place. Position the wick carefully before the wax hardens fully.
Allow the rebuilt candle to cure for 1-2 weeks before burning to prevent new sinkholes. This gives the wax time to fully settle and adhere to the container walls.
When to discard a candle
There comes a point when a candle with a sinkhole becomes too damaged to salvage. If the sinkhole is very large, taking up a significant portion of the top of the candle, it likely cannot be repaired. The sunken wax around the wick will make it impossible to properly fix the wick in place at the top of the candle. Severe sinkholes also create major safety hazards. If too much wax has sunk into the center of the candle, lighting the wick can cause excess heat buildup in the contained hollow area. This puts the candle at risk of overheating, exploding, or catching fire in an uncontrolled manner. For these reasons, it is best to discard any candle where the sinkhole damage is too severe and the wax cannot reasonably be salvaged. Do not risk injury or property damage by attempting to burn a candle with substantial sinkholes. When in doubt about whether a sinkhole can be repaired, err on the side of safety and discard the candle.
Sources:
https://villagecraftandcandle.com/blogs/news/how-to-prevent-and-fix-sinkholes-in-candles
Candle Maintenance
Proper day-to-day maintenance of your candles is crucial for preventing issues like sinkholes. Here are some tips for proper candle care:
Always trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to prevent sooting and uneven melting (source: https://villagecraftandcandle.com/blogs/news/how-to-prevent-and-fix-sinkholes-in-candles). Allow the wax pool to reach the full diameter of the container or at least 1⁄2 inch from the side. Never let the flame touch the sides.
Store candles away from direct light and heat to avoid melting or slumping. Signs that your candle needs maintenance include soot buildup, mushrooming wicks, uneven wax pools, and dripping down the sides (source: https://www.harlemcandlecompany.com/blogs/journal/what-causes-sinkholes-in-candles-how-to-prevent-them).
With proper burning and storage habits, you can prolong the life of candles and prevent issues like sinkholes.
Troubleshooting
Common issues that can arise with candles include sinkholes, tunneling, melting, poor wax adhesion, frosting, and more. Here are some tips for troubleshooting common candle problems:
For sinkholes, try holding a heat gun or hair dryer over the top of the candle to melt the surface wax and fill in gaps, poking holes around the wick before pouring the wax to prevent air bubbles, or adding wax additives like vybar or beeswax to strengthen the candle (source).
To prevent tunneling where the wax melts unevenly, try keeping the wax temperature lower, adding more fragrance oil, or using a stronger wick. Make sure to trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to prevent excess melting (source).
For poor wax adhesion causing cracks or peeling, increase poured wax temperature slightly, clean containers thoroughly before pouring, or switch to a wax with higher oil content. Overmelting and frosting can be prevented by allowing proper cure time before burning and keeping flames trimmed to 1⁄4 inch height.
General tips include allowing candles to cure 2-4 weeks after pouring, checking wick length before each burn, keeping wax temperature low, and using quality materials. Test different wick types, wax additives, fragrance loads, and pour temperatures to optimize your candle making.
Preventing future sinkholes
There are several steps you can take when making and storing candles to help prevent future sinkholes from forming:
Use the proper wick size for your candle diameter and wax type. According to the Harlem Candle Company, using too large of a wick can cause sinkholes by overheating the wax and creating an uneven melt pool (source). Selecting the right wick size for your specific candle is crucial.
Allow candles to cool properly after pouring and before burning. Village Craft & Candle recommends cooling candles for at least 48 hours to allow the wax molecules to fully set up and adhere to the container walls. Insufficient cooling can lead to weaknesses in the wax structure (source).
Store candles in a stable environment away from heat, sunlight, and drafts which can cause the wax to expand and contract leading to cracks. Keeping candles in a controlled, room-temperature environment will help minimize sinkhole formation over time.
When to seek professional help
In some cases, it’s best to seek help from a professional candle maker or repair person. According to The Candle Bar, if your candle has severe damage, it’s often not worth trying to salvage it yourself and could even be unsafe (The Candle Bar). Here are some situations when you should consider seeking professional help:
- The wick is completely buried or missing
- There is severe sooting or smoke damage
- Wax has spilled over or leaked from the candle vessel
- The candle vessel itself is damaged, cracked, or broken
- You’ve attempted repairs but the issues persist
- There are safety concerns like sparks, flames, or smoke
- The damage is complex and extensive
Candle experts have specialized tools, materials, and expertise to address severe candle damage and complex repairs. They can also properly dispose of damaged candles. Don’t attempt repairs that could be unsafe. Professional help ensures the job is done right.(Candle Making Problems & Solutions)
