Have you ever lit a candle only to find that it burns straight down the middle, leaving a thick ring of wax around the edge? This is known as tunnelling, and it's one of the most common frustrations candle lovers experience.
Not only does tunnelling shorten the life of your candle, but it also means you're not getting the beautiful fragrance throw you were expecting. The good news is that tunnelling is often preventable—and it starts with both the quality of the candle and how it's burned.
What Is Candle Tunnelling?
Candle tunnelling occurs when the flame melts only the wax directly around the wick instead of creating a full melt pool across the surface. As the candle continues to burn, it creates a deep tunnel through the centre, leaving a large amount of unused wax around the sides of the vessel.
Once a candle begins tunnelling, it becomes increasingly difficult for the flame to reach the remaining wax, reducing both the burn time and fragrance performance.
Why Does It Happen?
There are several reasons why candles tunnel.
Poor Quality Wax
The type and quality of wax play a significant role in how evenly a candle burns. Lower-quality waxes or poorly formulated wax blends often struggle to create an even melt pool, particularly if the candle hasn't been carefully tested.
Incorrect Wick Size
The wick is just as important as the wax itself. If a wick is too small for the diameter of the candle, it won't generate enough heat to melt the wax all the way to the edges.
Choosing the correct wick isn't guesswork—it requires extensive testing with each wax formulation, vessel size and fragrance.
Burning the Candle for Too Short a Time
Even the highest-quality candle can tunnel if it's extinguished too early.
As a general guide, allow your candle to burn long enough for the melted wax to reach the edges of the vessel during the first few burns. This helps establish an even burn memory, encouraging the candle to continue burning evenly throughout its life.
How to Prevent Candle Tunnelling
Fortunately, there are a few simple ways to enjoy a cleaner, longer-lasting burn.
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Allow the first burn to create a full melt pool before extinguishing the candle.
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Trim the wick to around 5mm before each burn.
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Avoid placing your candle in draughty areas where the flame may flicker unevenly.
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Burn your candle on a flat, heat-resistant surface.
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Follow the recommended burn times provided with your candle.
These simple habits can dramatically improve both the life of your candle and the way its fragrance fills your home.
Why Quality Matters
Not all candles are created equal.
Creating a luxury candle involves far more than simply pouring wax into a beautiful vessel. The relationship between the wax, fragrance oil, wick and vessel must be carefully balanced to ensure a clean, even burn and a beautiful fragrance experience.
At JJ Design, every candle is hand-poured in Australia using premium soy wax and carefully selected fragrance oils. Each candle undergoes testing to ensure the wick works harmoniously with the wax and the dimensions of our individually hand-blown glass vessels.
While burn performance can always be influenced by environmental factors and how a candle is cared for, using quality materials and properly matched wicks significantly reduces the likelihood of tunnelling when the candle is burned according to our care instructions.
More Than Beautiful Fragrance
A luxury candle should offer more than an exceptional scent—it should burn beautifully from the first light to the last.
That's why every JJ Design candle is crafted using premium soy wax, quality cotton wicks and individually hand-blown glass vessels that are designed to become lasting pieces in your home long after the candle has finished burning.
With a little care and the right craftsmanship, you can enjoy a cleaner burn, a longer-lasting candle and a fragrance experience that transforms the atmosphere of your home.
Candle Care Tips at a Glance
✔ Allow the first burn to reach the edges of the vessel.
✔ Trim the wick to approximately 5mm before each burn.
✔ Avoid burning your candle in draughts.
✔ Never burn your candle for longer than the recommended time.
✔ Always place your candle on a stable, heat-resistant surface.
A little candle care goes a long way—and choosing a thoughtfully crafted candle makes all the difference.