How to Fix Candle Tunneling: 4 Easy Tips to Rescue Your Favorite Candles

Ever notice your candle burning down the middle while leaving untouched wax around the edges? That pesky cave-in is called candle tunneling, and it's one of the most frustrating problems for candle lovers.

But good news — with a few easy tricks, you can prevent tunneling and even rescue a tunneled candle so it burns beautifully again.

Let’s dive into what causes candle tunneling and how to fix it in four simple steps.

What Is Candle Tunneling?

Candle tunneling happens when the flame melts only a small circle of wax around the wick, leaving the outer edges untouched. Over time, this creates a “tunnel” through the center of the candle.

Not only does this waste tons of wax, but it also shortens your candle’s lifespan. And once the tunnel forms, it keeps getting deeper with each burn — unless you stop it.

Why Do Candles Tunnel? (3 Common Reasons)

1. You’re Not Letting It Burn Long Enough

The most common cause of tunneling is cutting your burn time too short. Wax has “memory,” meaning it will only melt up to the point it reached during the first burn.

Candle pro tip:
Burn your candle for about 1 hour per inch of diameter. So if your candle is 3 inches across, let it burn for at least 3 hours to ensure a full melt pool.

2. The Wick Needs a Trim

A wick that’s too long can cause a high flame, which burns unevenly and too quickly. Always trim your wick to about ¼ inch before lighting it. This helps the wax melt evenly and prevents soot or smoking.

3. Poor Candle Quality

Low-quality candles with cheap wax or improperly placed wicks are more likely to tunnel, no matter what you do. That’s why it’s worth investing in well-made, clean-burning candles (like ours!), crafted to burn evenly from top to bottom.

How to Fix Candle Tunneling in 4 Simple Steps

1. Trim the Wick

Check if your wick is too long, off-center, or crooked. A quick trim can help the flame stay at the right height for an even burn. Make this a habit after every 3–4 hours of burn time.

2. Use the Hair Dryer Trick

Here’s a quick fix for mild tunneling:

• Grab a hair dryer and set it to low heat.
• Hold it a few inches above the candle and gently warm the unmelted wax.
• Once the top layer has evened out, let it cool before relighting.

This helps reset the wax surface and gives your candle a second chance.

3. Try the Aluminum Foil Method

For deeper tunnels, the foil method is your best friend:

• Trim the wick and remove any debris inside the tunnel.
  
• Wrap aluminum foil around the top of the candle, leaving a small hole at the center (about 1 inch wide).
  
• Light the wick, replace the foil, and let the candle burn for a few hours.
  

The trapped heat melts the outer wax, creating a smooth surface. Let the wax cool completely before your next burn.

4. Follow the Burn Time Rule

To prevent future tunneling, follow the golden rule:
Burn your candle for one hour per inch of its diameter every time you light it.

This ensures a full melt pool and keeps your candle burning evenly from start to finish.

Keep Your Candles Tunneling-Free for Good

Once you’ve mastered proper candle care, your favorite scents will last longer, smell stronger, and burn beautifully.

All of our candles are:

• Hand-poured with clean-burning wax
  
• Cruelty-free, vegan, and paraffin-free
• Formulated to burn evenly with the right wick-to-wax ratio

So whether you’re lighting one to set the mood, relax after a long day, or freshen up your space, you can trust our candles to deliver the perfect burn every time.

Looking for Your Next Favorite Candle?

Now that you’ve got tunneling under control, it’s the perfect time to explore our collection of long-lasting, beautifully scented candles. From cozy and earthy to clean and uplifting, we’ve got a fragrance for every mood and moment.