Why Your Candle Tunnels & How to Fix It | Affinati
Why Does My Candle Keep Tunneling? (Complete Guide to Fixing & Preventing It)
Candles are meant to set a cozy mood, fill your space with fragrance, and add beauty to your home. But if you’ve ever lit a new candle and watched it burn straight down the center, leaving wasted wax clinging to the sides, you’ve experienced candle tunneling.
If you’ve been asking yourself, “Why does my candle keep tunneling?”, the good news is that it’s a common problem — and one that can be both fixed and prevented. In this guide, you’ll learn how to fix candle tunneling, what causes it, and how to make your candles burn evenly every time.
What Is Candle Tunneling?
Candle tunneling happens when only the wax in the center of the jar melts, creating a narrow hole or “tunnel,” while the outer wax remains solid.
The results?
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Wasted wax that never melts
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A weaker fragrance throw (since the scent isn’t released evenly)
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A candle that looks uneven and burns out faster
Luxury candles are meant to be enjoyed from top to bottom, so tunneling not only ruins the look but also shortens the life of your candle.
Why Does My Candle Tunnel?
There are a few main reasons why candles tunnel — and understanding them is the key to prevention.
1. The First Burn Was Too Short
The most common cause of tunneling is cutting the first burn too short. Candles have what’s called a “memory,” meaning wax melts in the same pattern each time. If you blow out the flame before the surface wax melts edge to edge, you set a “memory ring.” From that point forward, your candle will keep tunneling inside that ring.
(Tip: always burn a candle for 1 hour per inch of diameter on the first use — so a 3-inch candle should burn at least 3 hours the first time.)
2. The Wick Is Too Small
A wick that’s undersized for the jar won’t generate enough heat to melt the wax across the surface. This is especially common in mass-market candles. Single-wick candles in wide jars are especially prone to tunneling.
That’s why 3-wick candles are a better choice for large jars — more flames mean more heat, which helps prevent tunneling.
Try our French Vanilla 3-Wick Candle
3. Drafty Burn Conditions
If your candle sits near a draft — from an open window, a vent, or a fan — the flame won’t burn evenly. This often causes tunneling on one side of the jar.
4. Poor Wax Quality
Not all wax burns the same. Soy candles and coconut wax candles burn slower and more evenly, while cheap paraffin candles are more likely to burn hot and unevenly, causing tunneling.
If you’ve noticed tunneling most often with inexpensive candles, the wax itself may be the issue.
How to Fix a Candle That’s Tunneling
If tunneling has already started, don’t throw your candle away. Here are proven ways to rescue it:
Aluminum Foil Method
Wrap the top of your candle in aluminum foil, leaving an opening in the middle so the flame can breathe. The foil traps extra heat, melting the hard wax on the sides until the top layer is level again. After 1–2 hours, you should see an even melt pool.
Candle Warmer or Heat Gun
Place your candle on a candle warmer, or use a heat gun (or hairdryer on low heat) to gently melt the top layer of wax. This resets the surface and stops the tunnel from getting worse.
Patience and Longer Burns
If tunneling is minor, simply trim the wick to ¼ inch and allow the candle to burn for several hours. Sometimes a longer burn session is all it takes to even things out.
How to Prevent Candle Tunneling
Prevention is easier than fixing. Here’s how to make sure your candles burn evenly from the start:
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First Burn Rule – Always let the wax melt across the full surface the first time you light the candle.
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Trim Wicks – Keep your wick trimmed to ¼ inch to avoid uneven flames.
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Avoid Drafts – Place candles in draft-free areas for an even burn.
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Choose Better Candles – High-quality soy wax candles with properly sized wicks are far less likely to tunnel.
Try our Pink Sands 3-Wick Candle
Why Affinati 3-Wick Soy Candles Don’t Tunnel
If tunneling is something you’ve struggled with, the easiest solution is choosing a candle designed to burn evenly. That’s exactly why we created the Affinati 3-Wick Soy Candle Collection.
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Three wicks provide enough heat for a full melt pool
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Premium soy wax blend ensures a long, clean, even burn
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Luxury fragrance oils deliver strong, consistent scent throw
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Elegant glass jars make every candle a centerpiece
Scents like French Vanilla, Honey Lavender, and Mahogany Teakwood not only fill your home with long-lasting fragrance but also burn evenly from top to bottom — no tunneling, no wasted wax.
Candle Tunneling FAQs
Does tunneling ruin a candle?
Not permanently. With the foil method or a candle warmer, you can fix most tunneling issues.
How long should the first burn be?
About 1 hour per inch of the candle’s diameter. A 3-inch wide candle should burn at least 3 hours on the first burn.
Do soy candles tunnel less than paraffin?
Yes. Soy burns cooler and more evenly, making soy candles far less likely to tunnel.
Are 3-wick candles better for preventing tunneling?
Definitely. More wicks create more even heat, which prevents tunneling and ensures every ounce of wax gets used.
Final Thoughts
Candle tunneling can be frustrating, but it doesn’t have to ruin your candle experience. With the right burning habits, a little care, and by choosing high-quality soy candles, you can enjoy long-lasting fragrance without wasted wax.
If you’re tired of tunneling, explore the Affinati 3-Wick Soy Candle Collection — designed for even burns, luxury fragrance, and maximum enjoyment from the first burn to the last.
Read More:
1. Goose Creek vs Yankee Candle: Which Brand Makes the Best Candle in 2025?
2. Favorite Candle Scent by State – All 50 U.S. States Ranked by Fragrance
3. Top 10 Vanilla Candles in 2025 (Expert Picks) — Affinati French Vanilla #1
