A candle's first burn sets the pattern for every burn after it. A few simple habits — trimming the wick, giving the wax time to melt fully across the top, and burning for the right length of time — are the difference between a candle that burns evenly to the bottom and one that tunnels halfway through.
The first burn matters most
On the first light, let the candle burn until the melt pool reaches the edge of the container — usually one to two hours, depending on size. If you extinguish it too early, the wax "remembers" that smaller circle and will keep burning down the middle for the rest of its life, a problem candle-makers call tunnelling.
Trim the wick every time
Trim the wick to about 5mm before each burn. A long or curled wick produces a larger, sootier flame, darkens the glass, and burns through wax faster than it should. A pair of wick trimmers works best, but clean scissors are fine too — just trim after the wax has cooled.
How long to burn a candle
Aim for 2 to 4 hours per session. Shorter burns risk tunnelling; much longer burns can overheat the vessel and shorten the wick's life. If you want a longer evening of fragrance, it's better to relight the next day than to let one burn run for hours unattended.
Storing candles between burns
Keep the lid on when the candle isn't lit, store it out of direct sunlight, and avoid very hot spaces — heat softens wax and can dull fragrance over time. A cool, dry shelf is enough.
FAQ
Burn for 2 to 4 hours at a time — long enough for an even melt pool without overheating the container.
Before every single burn, down to about 5mm.
Usually because an earlier burn was cut short before the wax melted all the way to the edge. Let the very first burn run longer to prevent it.