The Small Problem Every Candle Lover Knows
You light a beautiful new candle, settle in, and the scent fills the room.
But a few hours later, you glance over - and the flame is flickering inside a narrow pit while the outer wax stays untouched.
That’s called candle tunneling, and it’s one of the few things that can ruin an otherwise perfect burn.
The good news is that tunneling isn’t inevitable. A little care and understanding go a long way toward keeping your candles burning cleanly from edge to edge.
🕯️ What “Tunneling” Actually Means
Tunneling happens when a candle melts straight down the center instead of across the full surface.
The wax on the sides never gets warm enough to liquefy, so it hardens into a thick wall around the wick.
Once that happens, each future burn is worse - the flame can’t get enough air, the scent weakens, and the candle’s life shortens dramatically.
It’s frustrating, especially if you’ve invested in high-quality soy candles meant to last.
🔍 Why It Happens
A few common mistakes usually lead to tunneling. Once you know what to watch for, it’s easy to prevent.
1. The First Burn Was Too Short
Wax has a “memory.”
If your first burn doesn’t melt the top layer evenly from side to side, the candle will remember that narrow melt pool next time.
Rule of thumb:
Let your first burn last about one hour for every inch of diameter (so a 3-inch candle should burn roughly three hours before you blow it out).
2. The Wick Is Undersized
If the wick isn’t quite strong enough for the jar, it won’t generate enough heat to melt all the surrounding wax.
That’s why we spend so much time testing wick sizes at Le Villa - matching each vessel to the right flame strength is an art.
3. Short or Inconsistent Burn Times
Lighting a candle for 20 minutes before dinner, then blowing it out, then relighting it later… all those short sessions encourage tunneling.
Tip: Give your candle enough time to form a full melt pool each time you burn it.
4. Drafts and Cold Air
Even a gentle breeze from a ceiling fan can make a flame lean to one side.
The wax on that cooler side won’t melt evenly, creating a sloped tunnel.
Burn in a calm, draft-free area whenever possible.
5. Room Temperature
Soy wax is sensitive to temperature.
Candles placed on cold stone counters or near open windows cool unevenly.
Bring them to room temperature before lighting - especially during Canadian winters.
🌿 How to Prevent Tunneling Before It Starts
Here’s what candle makers (and serious candle lovers) swear by:
- Burn long, not quick. The first few burns matter most - always wait for a complete melt pool.
- Trim your wick. Keep it around ¼ inch (6 mm) before each burn.
- Avoid drafts. A still flame is a healthy flame.
- Let the wax set naturally. Don’t move a candle right after extinguishing it - warm wax can shift and set unevenly.
- Use a lid between burns. It keeps dust out and scent in.
And of course, start with a well-made candle.
At Le Villa, each candle is hand-poured with 100 % soy wax and cotton wicks that have been burn-tested to suit their jar size.
That balance is what helps our candles burn evenly, without wasted wax or smoke.
🧯 If Your Candle Has Already Started Tunneling…
Don’t toss it yet - you can usually bring it back to life.
🔸 The Foil Fix
Wrap a ring of aluminum foil loosely around the top of the jar, leaving an opening above the flame.
The trapped heat helps melt the outer wax and level the surface again.
Burn for about an hour, then remove the foil.
🔸 The Gentle Heat Fix
For a deeper tunnel, warm the top with a heat gun or hair dryer until the surface smooths out.
If you’re feeling extra careful, place the candle in a warm (not hot) oven for a few minutes.
Always watch closely and never leave it unattended.
🔸 Repurpose the Wax
If all else fails, melt down what’s left and pour it into a tealight cup or wax-melt mold.
You’ll still get to enjoy the fragrance - just in a different form.
🌸 Why Our Candles Resist Tunneling
When we design a candle at Le Villa, we think about the whole experience - the flame, the scent, and the finish.
Every jar, wick, and blend is chosen to give you a clean, even burn:
- 100 % natural soy wax for consistent melting
- Cotton wicks tested for each vessel size
- Slow, even burn rates for longer life
- Balanced fragrance loads that don’t overheat the wax
You’ll still need to follow proper burn habits, but we’ve done the hard part for you: engineering the candle itself to behave beautifully.
🔁 A Simple Candle Routine That Works Every Time
- Burn your candle for 2–3 hours on its first use
- Trim the wick before each light
- Keep away from drafts
- Let it cool fully before moving
- Relight, repeat, and relax
Follow that rhythm and you’ll rarely see tunneling again.
📚 Related Guides You Might Enjoy
- Candle Care for Soy Wax and Soy Wicks: A Beginner’s Guide
- Understanding Soy Wax: A Sustainable and Healthier Choice for Candles
- The Essence of Scent: Essential Oils vs. Fragrance Oils
- Best Candles for Every Season: What to Burn and Why
✨ Final Thought
Candle tunneling is one of those little annoyances that’s easy to fix once you know what causes it.
With a bit of patience - and a well-made candle - you’ll enjoy a full, even glow every time.
Explore our latest collection of hand-poured soy candles →
👉 https://levilla.co/collections/all