My candle is tunneling, why is this happening?Updated a month ago

Tunnelling occurs when a candle isn’t burned long enough to create a full, even melt pool across the surface. This leaves a ring of unmelted wax around the sides of the jar and can shorten your candle’s life.

How to prevent tunnelling:

1. Trim the wick
   Before each burn, trim your wick to around 5 mm. This helps control the flame and promotes an even melt pool.

2. The first burn matters most
   Allow your first burn to last until the wax melts completely from edge to edge — usually 2 to 4 hours, depending on the candle’s diameter. This “sets the memory” of the wax for future burns.

3. Avoid drafts and uneven surfaces
   Keep your candle away from open windows, fans, vents, and air purifiers. Place it on a flat, heat-safe surface so the melt pool stays uniform.

4. Mind your burn time
   Burn for 2 to 4 hours at a time, then extinguish and allow the wax to reset before relighting. Very short burns encourage tunnelling.

How to rescue a tunnelling candle:

• On your next burn, gently warm the surface with a hairdryer until the top layer of wax softens and evens out. Then light the candle and let it burn to a full melt pool.

• Alternatively, wrap a collar of aluminium foil around the rim, folding it slightly over the top to reflect heat inward. Burn for 15 to 30 minutes under supervision, then remove the foil once the surface has levelled.

By following these steps, you’ll help your candle burn beautifully from start to finish — and enjoy every last moment of its fragrance.