You can effectively level a used candle that has tunneled by creating a makeshift "roof" around the wick using aluminum foil and burning it for a period.
Candles sometimes burn unevenly, creating a "tunnel" down the center while leaving a ring of solid wax around the edges. This wastes wax and shortens the candle's life. Leveling the candle corrects this issue, allowing for a complete and even burn.
The Foil Method: How to Level Your Candle
A simple and widely used method to fix candle tunneling and level the surface involves utilizing aluminum foil. This technique helps trap heat, encouraging the stubborn, unmelted wax around the edges to melt and catch up to the center.
Step-by-Step Guide
Here's how to use the foil method to level your used candle:
- Prepare the Foil: Take one or more sheets of aluminum foil, large enough to wrap around the top portion of your candle container.
- Wrap the Candle: Wrap the foil around the outside of the candle container near the top edge.
- Create the "Roof": Fold or crimp the top edge of the foil so that it extends inward over the unmelted wax. As mentioned in the reference, the top extends inward over the unmelted wax like a roof, while leaving the center open for the flame. This creates a dome-like structure that directs heat back towards the sides.
- Light the Candle: Ensure the wick is trimmed to about 1/4 inch and light the candle.
- Burn: Let the candle burn for 1-2 hours with the foil in place. The heat trapped by the foil should melt the excess wax along the edges.
- Check Progress: Periodically check the candle. Once a pool of melted wax reaches the edge of the container, your candle surface should even out.
- Remove Foil: Carefully remove the foil using oven mitts or tongs, as it will be hot.
Expected Results
Following the steps, you should find that the surface of the candle is now mostly level, with the melted wax reaching the edges of the container. This allows the candle to burn more efficiently and evenly in the future, preventing further tunneling if burned correctly (allowing the wax pool to reach the edges on each burn).
Tips for Success
- Use enough foil to completely wrap around the top edge.
- Ensure the foil roof covers the uneven wax but leaves plenty of space for the flame to burn safely without touching the foil.
- Never leave a burning candle unattended.
- Be patient; it might take the full 1-2 hours, depending on the candle size and depth of the tunnel.
By using this simple foil technique, you can rescue a tunneled candle and enjoy it to the very last bit of wax.
