The Secret to Perfect Candles: Say Goodbye to Tunneling!

Ever light a beautiful candle only to watch it burn straight down the middle, leaving a stubborn ring of unmelted wax? That frustrating phenomenon is called "tunneling," and it wastes wax, diminishes fragrance, and shortens your candle's life. But don't worry – with a few simple tricks, you can ensure every candle burns perfectly!   

The Power of "Wax Memory"

The key to preventing tunneling lies in understanding "wax memory". The first time you light a new candle, the wax "remembers" how far it melted across its surface. If that initial melt pool doesn't reach the edges of the container, your candle will continue to burn in that narrow "tunnel" path every time you light it.   

To set your candle's memory correctly, always aim for a full melt pool on the very first burn. This means letting the entire top layer of wax liquefy and extend completely to the container's edges. A good rule of thumb: burn your candle for approximately 1 hour for every 1 inch (2.5 cm) of its diameter. So, a 3-inch wide candle needs about 3 hours for its first burn.   

And don't forget to trim your wick! Before lighting, always snip the wick to about 1/4 inch (6mm). This prevents "mushrooming" (excess carbon buildup), which can cause a large, smoky flame and uneven burning.

（The power of memory burn is very useful for some types of candles. All candles are created by Cheerz Workshop)

Already Tunneling? Quick Fixes!

If your candle has already started to tunnel, don't despair!

• The "Foil Trick": Light your tunneled candle. Wrap aluminum foil around the top rim of the container, creating a dome that extends slightly above the unmelted wax. Leave a small opening for the flame. The foil traps and reflects heat, melting those stubborn wax walls. Let it burn for 1-3 hours until the surface is even.   
  

• Hair Dryer Method: For minor tunneling, use a hair dryer on low-to-medium heat to gently melt the top layer of wax until it's even.   

Keep Your Candles Burning Beautifully

For ongoing perfect burns:

• Keep Trimming! Trim your wick to 1/4 inch before every burn to maintain a clean, steady flame.   

• Avoid Drafts! Place candles away from windows, fans, or busy areas. Drafts cause uneven burning and soot.   

• Optimal Burn Duration! After the first burn, aim for 2-4 hours per session to ensure a full melt pool without overheating.   

Ready to Master Your Candle Making Journey?

Preventing tunneling is a huge step, but there's so much more to learn! Imagine mastering wick selection, perfecting scent throw, and confidently troubleshooting any issue.   

Unveil creativity in making candles with Cheerz Workshop