Why Is My Candle Tunnelling? (And How to Fix It Like a Pro)

There’s nothing worse than lighting a beautiful new candle only to find it’s burning straight down the middle, leaving wax stuck to the sides like it’s trying to escape. This common candle woe is called tunnelling, and while it might look like a lost cause, we promise it’s not. Let’s break down what tunnelling is, why it happens and most importantly, how to fix and prevent it so your candles burn evenly and beautifully every time.

🔥 First, What Is Candle Tunnelling?

Candle Tunnelling

Candle tunnelling happens when only the wax around the wick melts, leaving a thick ring of unmelted wax around the edges. This creates a “tunnel” effect and can drastically shorten the life of your candle because of all that outer wax! It's wasted unless you intervene.

The candle won’t stay lit after tunnelling; In some cases, if your candle has tunnelled and you try to relight it, you might find the flame keeps going out after a few seconds. Frustrating, right? Here’s why:

When tunnelling occurs, the wick ends up sitting in a deep well of wax. If the wax hasn’t melted properly around it, the wick can become too short and suffocated by the surrounding wax. Essentially, it’s drowning.

A wick needs air and space to draw up melted wax to fuel the flame. But if the flame can’t access enough air or wax, it fizzles out quickly.

💡 Why Does It Happen?

There are a few usual suspects:

• Short burn times: Blowing the candle out too soon before the wax pool reaches the edges.

• Improper wick sizing: Some candles are made with a wick that's too small for the jar.

• Environmental factors: Cold rooms or draughts can make your candle burn unevenly.

• First burn mistakes: The first time you light a candle sets the tone for every burn after.

🛠️ How to Fix Candle Tunnelling

Before you toss a tunnelled candle, try these tips:

1. Scoop Excess and Reset: Gently carve away some of the wax surrounding the wick (when the candle is completely cool) to expose more of it. You only need to clear a small space so the flame has room to breathe.

2. Check the wick length: If it’s too short, you may need to let the wax soften slightly (place it near a heat source for a few minutes), then nudge the wick upright and centre it with tweezers. This usually happens with cotton wicks.

3. The Foil Trick (Candle Spa Treatment): Once your wick is clear and can be lit again, wrap aluminium foil around the top of the candle, leaving a hole in the centre for the flame to breathe. Let it burn for 1–2 hours. The foil helps trap heat and melt the outer wax, evening things out.

4. Use a Candle Warmer: A plate-style candle warmer can melt the wax evenly from the bottom up great for salvaging candles that won’t relight due to a buried wick.

🕯️ How to Prevent Candle Tunnelling

The best cure is prevention. Here's how to give your candles their best life from the start:

✅ 1. Let It Burn (the First Time)

Always let your candle burn long enough for the wax to melt all the way to the edges on the first burn. This could take 1–3 hours, depending on size. It’s called the memory burn, and your candle will “remember” how far it got and repeat that pattern in future burns.

✅ 2. Trim the Wick

Before each use, trim the wick to about 5mm (¼ inch). A too-long wick can create a large flame that melts unevenly or a too-short one won’t burn hot enough.

✅ 3. Keep It Away from Draughts

Windy spots can cause your candle to flicker and burn unevenly. Position your candle somewhere calm and still (much like your mood after lighting it).

🌿 Bonus: Why It Matters for Natural Candles

At César & Cruz, our candles are made with natural wax blends, no synthetic boosters or paraffin shortcuts. That means they need a little TLC to burn their best. But trust us: with the right care, they reward you with a clean, long-lasting, gorgeously fragrant experience every time.

In Short…

Candle tunnelling might look tragic, but it’s usually fixable and definitely preventable. Just give your candle time, keep that wick tidy, and treat the first burn like a first date: set the right tone, and it’ll glow beautifully ever after.

Got a candle emergency? Drop us a message at spark@cesarandcruz.com  or tag us on Instagram @cesarandcruz we love a good rescue mission. ✨