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How to Prevent Tunnelling – Candle Makers Advice

As candle makers we have developed a wealth of knowledge on the industry. For example, did you know that in order to maximise the burn time of your candle you will need to correctly set the candle memory?

The size of the wax pool on the first burn sets the memory for the lifespan of the candle. Therefore, the first light is the most important.

What is Candle Tunnelling

If the candle is extinguished before an even wax pool is created a phenomenon known as candle tunnelling may occur.

Candle tunnelling is when the centre of the candle melts without melting the surrounding wax. This leaves a solid wax ledge around the container. The flame on the wick creates a vertical “tunnel” towards the bottom as it burns.

The Trouble with Tunnelling

This could lead to three problems. The first is that candle tunnelling means that all the wax isn’t being consumed so the burn time of the candle will be dramatically shorter.

Secondly, if the flame tunnels down to the point where oxygen is limited it may stop burning on its own.

Finally, a tunnelled candle is not as aesthetically pleasing. It can often end up looking uneven and sometimes blackened, therefore it may be out of place in your interior.

Preventing Tunnelling

As candle makers we are proud of our work and we want you to get the most enjoyment from your candles.

You can prevent tunnelling by making sure when you light your candle for the first not to extinguish it until an even wax pool reaches the edge of the glass which can take between 3-4 hours. By doing this, your candle will burn evenly all the way down giving you the optimum burn.

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