How Do You Save A Sunken Candle?

What Causes Candles to Sink?

Candles can sink or tunnel for a few different reasons:

Uneven burning – If the candle’s wick is too small for the size of the wax pool, it may not burn hot enough to liquefy all of the wax. This causes the wax around the edges to melt faster than the wax in the center, creating a hole or tunnel in the candle.

Poor wax adhesion – Some waxes don’t adhere very well to the sides of the candle vessel. As the candle burns down, the cooled wax can separate and sink into the center hole.

Drafts – Air currents from fans, open windows, or vents can blow on the candle flame. This causes it to burn unevenly to one side, again creating a tunnel.

High fragrance oil content – Too much fragrance oil in a candle can interfere with proper wax blending and lead to sinkholes or tunnels.

Burning too long – If you let a candle burn for too many hours in one sitting, the larger wax pool can accelerate sink holes.

Improper storage – Storing candles in very warm places can cause the wax to soften and sink.

Using the wrong size holder – If a candle isn’t burning in an appropriately sized holder, the melting and cooling wax may not adhere properly to the sides.

Low melt point wax – Waxes like paraffin that have a very low melting point are more prone to sinking and tunneling issues.

Preventing Candles from Tunneling

Tunneling occurs when the candle wax around the wick melts faster than the outer wax. This leaves a hole or tunnel in the candle. There are a few ways to help prevent tunneling:

Use the proper wick size. A wick that is too large for the diameter of the candle jar can create excess heat, leading to tunneling. Select a wick size appropriate for your candle width. According to Harlem Candle Company, a good rule of thumb is the wick should be 1/6th the diameter of the candle vessel (https://www.harlemcandlecompany.com/blogs/journal/candle-care-101-how-to-fix-prevent-candle-tunneling).

Trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting. Long wicks can create larger flames that generate more heat. Trimming to 1⁄4 inch helps regulate the flame size and prevents tunneling issues. Trim the wick after each use to maintain the ideal height.

Avoid drafts which can blow the top of the flame sideways, concentrating heat on one area. Drafts from windows, ceiling fans, or air vents can disrupt the melt pool and increase tunneling. Place candles away from drafts for more even burning.

Rescuing a Sunken Candle

When a candle burns down unevenly, it can create a hole or tunnel in the wax. This is known as “tunneling.” It occurs when the wick becomes too long and overheats, melting wax faster than the cooler outer wax. Tunneling makes the candle unusable before all the wax is burned. But don’t throw away that sunken candle yet! With a few simple steps, you can rescue and reuse the remaining wax.

First, it’s best to remove the wick. Use scissors or wire cutters to snip the wick as close to the bottom of the tunnel as possible. If you leave some wick behind, don’t worry. Next, use a spoon, knife, or any handy tool to scrape the wax off the sides of the container and push the leftover wax to the bottom. Be sure to scrape deep down into the tunnel to collect all that wasted wax.

Now the container can be reused for a new candle. Make sure to wash it thoroughly first to remove any wax residue. When adding new wax, pour it into the container while the wax is still molten. This will help adhere the old and new wax together. Add a new wick, let the wax fully harden, and you have rescued that sunken candle!

For safety, always make sure the candle wax is completely cool before handling. Work over a covered surface to catch wax drips. And take care not to cut yourself while removing the wick or scraping wax. With a few simple steps, you can give your tunneled candle new life and avoid waste.

Wick Trimming Basics

Proper wick trimming is essential for candle safety and performance. According to The Harlem Candle Company, wicks should be trimmed every 4 hours of burn time for an optimal experience.

In general, wicks should be trimmed to 1/4 inch before lighting to prevent issues like tunneling, smoking, sooting, and uneven burning. Martha Stewart recommends keeping wicks trimmed to 1/4 inch as a good rule of thumb, though some specialty candles may require slightly different trim lengths.

Trimming the wick before each use allows the candle to burn slower and more evenly. Long wicks can cause the flame to get too large, which leads to quicker wax pool melting and tunneling. A shorter wick prevents mushrooming at the tip and maintains a lower, steadier flame.

Wicks should always be trimmed with caution using proper tools. Allow the candle to cool completely before trimming to avoid injury. Use sharp scissors, a wick dipper, or nail clippers specifically designed for wick trimming. Cutting to 1/4 inch helps sustain an ideal sized flame and maximizes burn time.

Wick Sizing Tips

Selecting the proper wick size is crucial for achieving optimal candle performance. The key factors to consider when choosing a wick are the type of wax and the diameter of the container.

For container candles, the wick must be wide enough to absorb the wax and create a large flame, but not so wide that it drowns in the melted wax or creates excessive sooting. As a general rule, smaller diameter containers require smaller wicks. For example, a 4oz tin may use a CD-5 wick, while a 16oz jar would need a CD-12.

The wax type also affects wick sizing. Softer waxes like soy wax require a larger wick to absorb the fuel. Paraffin and palm waxes are firmer and call for smaller wicks. Beeswax and coconut waxes fall somewhere in between. Testing different wick sizes with your wax is recommended to find the best match.

When in doubt, start in the middle of the recommended range for your container size and adjust up or down as needed. Precut tabbed wicks allow for easy testing and switching out as you dial in the perfect wick for each candle variety. With some trial and error, you’ll be able to master wick sizing to create great burning candles every time.

For more tips, check out this guide on choosing the right wick size from CandleScience: https://www.candlescience.com/learning/choosing-the-right-wick-size/

Safety Precautions

When working with candles, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Candles involve an open flame and hot wax, both of which can lead to accidents or injuries if proper precautions aren’t taken.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) [1], you should keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn, including curtains, upholstery, clothing, books, paper, flammable decorations and more. It’s also crucial to never leave a burning candle unattended – blow it out if you’re leaving the room or going to sleep.

The NFPA also advises placing candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface. Avoid putting candles near drafts, vents or air currents, as this can cause the flame to flicker and smoke, increasing the risk of accidental fire. According to Candles.org [2], you should keep candles out of reach of children and pets to prevent accidental burns or knock-overs.

When lighting a candle, use a long match or utility lighter and hold the flame to the very tip of the wick until it ignites. Take care not to get burned by the match after extinguishing it. Allow melted wax to completely harden before attempting to move a used candle [3].

Resetting Sunken Candles

If your candle has tunneled and the wax around the edges remains high while the center has sunken, you can rescue it by resetting the wax. Here are step-by-step instructions for resetting a sunken candle:

1. Trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch before starting. This prevents the wick from being lost in any melted wax.

2. Hold the candle upside down and use a hair dryer to gently heat the sides and bottom of the candle. Rotate slowly and avoid directly heating one spot for too long. The goal is to soften the outer wax enough so it pools together in the center.

3. Once the sunken center fills with melted wax, turn the candle right side up and set it on a heatproof surface. Allow the wax to cool and harden completely, which can take 1-2 hours.

4. Give the candle one more quick blast with the hair dryer to smooth over any remaining ridges or divots. Then trim the wick again before lighting.

Resetting can rescue sunken candles and give them new life. Just be sure to work slowly and avoid overheating any areas when melting the wax. Monitor the candle as it resets and allow adequate time for cooling before relighting.

Sources:

https://www.harlemcandlecompany.com/blogs/journal/candle-care-101-how-to-fix-prevent-candle-tunneling

https://www.prosperitycandle.com/blogs/news/how-to-fix-candle-tunneling-burn-your-candle-evenly

Repurposing Sunken Candles

If your candle has sunken too far to reset, there are still creative ways to repurpose it instead of tossing it in the trash. The unused wax in a sunken candle can be put to good use through Upcycling projects.

One idea is to create DIY wax melts from the leftover wax. Simply break up the wax into chunks, place in a glass jar or silicone mold, and melt in your microwave or a double boiler. Add essential oils for fragrance if desired. The wax melts can then be used in a wax warmer to fill your home with lovely scents (Source).

You can also repurpose the wax to make new candles. Melt down the leftover wax and pour it into a new container or silicone mold to create votive candles, tea lights, shaped candles, or more. This gives your sunken candle new life. Decorating the new candles with paints, glitter, flowers, or other embellishments can add a fun DIY touch.

Sunken candles also provide the perfect wax base for candle making projects. Simply add new wax and wicks to refresh and remake them into new candles with your preferred scents. This reduces waste while allowing your creativity to shine.

With a little imagination and effort, that sunken candle destined for the trash can become handmade wax melts, creative new candles, or other Upcycled projects that make the most of the remaining unused wax.

When to Toss a Candle

Eventually every candle will reach the end of its useful life. But how do you know when it’s time to let go? Here are some signs that indicate your candle is unsalvageable and should be discarded:

The candle becomes too shallow – Generally when there is 1/2 inch or less of wax remaining, it’s time to stop burning. The melted wax pool becomes too large and can no longer hold a full melt. This prevents the candle from burning properly.

The wick becomes too short – With barely any wax left, the wick starts to disappear as well. A short wick has difficulty staying lit and results in poor fragrance throw.

It doesn’t hold a flame – Despite trimming the wick, the candle struggles to stay lit. This is a sign the remaining wax can’t provide enough fuel.

The scent fades – If barely any fragrance remains, even after the candle is lit, it’s a sign the essential oils have burnt off.

Sooting or smoking – Excessive black smoke or soot indicates the wick can no longer burn cleanly. This typically happens when the candle becomes too shallow.

Tunneling – Deep trenches that form can make it difficult for the wax to melt properly. This renders the candle ineffective.

Mushrooming – When the wick curls over like a mushroom, it prevents the candle from burning correctly. Trimming the wick can’t fix this.

If your candle exhibits any of these issues, it’s served its time and is ready to be discarded or repurposed into something new.

Caring for Candles

Properly caring for candles is essential to help them last as long as possible and burn evenly. According to Real Simple (https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/decorating/tips-techniques/how-to-take-care-of-candles), there are a few key tips for caring for candles:

For storage, keep candles in a cool, dry place away from direct light and heat. Temperature fluctuations can cause candles to sweat and lose their scent more quickly. Store candles with their lids to help retain fragrance. Keep wicks trimmed to 1⁄4 inch before storing to prevent tunneling.

When burning candles, make sure they are on a stable, heat-resistant surface at least 12 inches from anything flammable. According to Soy Delicious Candles (https://soydelicious.com/blogs/news/candle-care-101-simple-tips-to-help-your-candle-last-longer), never leave a burning candle unattended. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for burn times, typically 1-2 hours per inch of candle width. Allow the wax pool to solidify completely before relighting.

With proper care for positioning, wick trimming, burn times, and storage, you can extend the life of candles and enjoy them safely.