A lot of care and attention goes into every single candle that we lovingly make by hand at Rowbert HQ. So make sure you get the best out of it by treating it right. Let's talk about tunnelling and how to stop it from happening to your favourite candles.
What is tunnelling?
Tunnelling is when the candle burns straight down the middle, instead of outwards and down. This means most of your candle is wasted, which we definitely don't want!
Why does tunnelling happen?
Tunnelling can occur for a number of reasons. Let's take a look at some of the main causes...
Wick Size: If the candle is poorly made, the wick might not be the correct size for the container. If the diameter of the wick is too small, it won't generate enough heat to fully melt the wax. There's none of that with any Rowbert candles though! We have tried and tested many different wick types to ensure a perfect burn every time.
Give it Time: Tunnelling also occurs when the candle wax hasn't had enough time to melt. You need to make sure that the wax melts into a liquid pool that reaches the edge of the jar. This is especially important on the first burn. This sets the candle's 'memory' and will ensure the candle burns evenly all the way down. So make sure you have time to allow this to happen, you'll need around an hour each time. Don't be temped to light a candle if you don't have time to let the wax melt on the top fully!
Tunnelling is a pain, and can be hard to fix. If you have a candle that has tunnelled, try warming the wax gently with a hairdryer and pouring away any excess.
Got more questions? Find us on social media and fire away!