Candle tunneling occurs when a candle burns straight down the middle, leaving a tunnel-like hole, rather than melting the wax evenly across the entire surface of the candle. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as an improperly sized wick, burning the candle for too short a time, or not trimming the wick properly.
To fix candle tunneling, there are several things you can do:
1. Trim the wick: Make sure to trim the wick to 1/4 inch before lighting the candle. This helps the candle burn evenly and prevents tunneling.
2. Burn the candle for long enough: Make sure to burn the candle long enough for the wax to melt evenly across the entire surface of the candle. This typically takes at least 1 hour per inch of candle diameter.
3. Use a candle warmer: If you want to enjoy the scent of the candle without burning it, you can use a candle warmer to melt the wax evenly.
4. Use a different candle: If the candle continues to tunnel despite these efforts, it may be a problem with the candle itself. Try using a candle from a different brand or with a different type of wax to see if that makes a difference.
By taking these steps, you should be able to fix candle tunneling and enjoy a more even burn from your candles.