Simple tips to prevent tunnelling and enjoy a longer-lasting, beautifully even candle burn.
🕯️ What Is Tunnelling?
Tunnelling happens when your candle burns straight down the centre, leaving wax stuck around the edges. It’s one of the most common candle issues and the good news is, it’s easy to prevent.
💡 3 Simple Tips to Prevent Tunnelling
1. Let it pool (first burn)
The very first time you light your candle, give it a chance to settle in. Let it burn long enough usually around 2 to 4 hours so the entire top layer melts right to the edges. That way, the wax ‘remembers’ to burn evenly next time. It’s a small act of patience that makes a big difference.
2. Trim the wick
Before each burn, give your wick a little tidy-up about 5mm is just right. It helps your candle burn slowly and cleanly, without getting smoky or too hot. Think of it like brushing your hair before heading out: quick, simple, and totally worth it.
3. Keep it still
Candles love calm. Try to keep them away from open windows, fans, or busy walkways. A steady flame means even melting, no tunnelling, and no leaning flames. It’s just like us really, we shine better when we’re not being blown about.
❄️ Pixie’s Seasonal Tip:
Candle care changes with the seasons just like our skin or mood. In winter, the glass can be cold and the air crisp, so your candle might take a little longer to melt edge to edge. That’s completely normal just give it an extra 10-15 minutes on that first burn.
In summer, the warmth in the air helps things along. Either way, don’t rush her. A well-treated candle will reward you every time.
🫶 Pixie’s Handy Fix (When All Else Fails):
If you’ve done all the right things and your candle’s still tunnelling, here’s a sneaky little trick I swear by: the foil blanket wrap.
Just tear off a bit of aluminium foil and gently wrap it around the glass, leaving an opening on top for the flame. It creates a little cosy ‘warm blanket’ for your candle, helping the wax melt right out to the edges.
Give it 20–30 minutes and you’ll see the melt pool even out beautifully. Just don’t leave it unattended candles still need watching, even when they’re tucked in.
✂️ Pixie’s Pro Tip: No Scissors? No Stress.
Forgot your scissors? Don’t worry one bit. Our Candle Kitchen wicks are designed to snap off cleanly at just the right height around 5mm with a gentle pinch.
Just use a tissue to catch the char and keep your fingers clean. It’s quick, quiet, and keeps your flame burning beautifully. Little details like this make all the difference.
🛠️ When You’ve Tried Everything...
If your candle is still tunnelling after all the care and tricks sometimes, it’s just down to the way the candle was made.
It can be a wick that’s too small, wax poured at the wrong temp, or a fragrance load that throws things off. It happens, even to the best of us.
A beautifully-scented life starts here.