Troubleshooting Candle Burning and Candle Wicks

The way a candle burns is determined by the way the candle has been made and often problems with candle burning will indicate an error in the candle making process. The following is a troubleshooting guide for candle burning and candle wicks.

Smoking or Sooting of Candles

Possible Causes:

  • you're burning the candle in a draft
  • the candle wick too large
  • too much candle scent or oil in the candle wax
  • the candle wick is too long

Possible Solutions:

  • this is unavoidable to some extent; a slight draft can cause the purest of candles to smoke
  • burn candles in a draft-free environment
  • use a smaller candle wick
  • reduce the amount of candle scents used
  • use candle wax with a lower oil content
  • trim the candle wick to ¼" before each lighting

Dripping of Candle Wax

Possible Causes:

  • the candle wax formula is too soft
  • melt point of the candle wax is too low
  • you're burning the candle in a draft
  • the candle wick is off-center
  • the candle wick is too large for pillar candles
  • the candle wick is too small for taper candles
  • lack of over-dip in taper candles

Possible Solutions:

  • add hardening additives such as Vybar 103, stearic, Poly, etc.
  • use approximately 140° F melting point candle wax for pillar candles and taper candles
  • burn candles in a draft-free environment
  • center the candle wick carefully when wicking a candle mold; make necessary adjustments when dipping taper candles
  • use a smaller candle wick for pillar candles
  • use a larger candle wick for taper candles
  • over-dip in a high melt point candle wax to make dripless taper candles

Extinguishing - (the Candle won't Light or Stay Lit)

Possible Causes:

  • the candle wick is too small
  • the candle wick was not primed or waxed
  • the candle wax formula is too hard or has too many additives
  • essential oil is clogging the candle wick
  • pigment is clogging the candle wick
  • there are air cavities around the candle wick

Possible Solutions:

  • use a lighter to melt a small candle wax pool
  • use a larger candle wick
  • use a waxed candle wick, or soak raw candle wicks in melted candle wax before use
  • reduce the amount of hardening additives
  • only use candle scents made specifically for candles
  • use dye instead of pigment for solid coloring; only use pigments for overdips
  • poke relief holes in the candle to make sure all cavities are filled

Sputtering of the Candle Flame

Possible Causes:

  • there is water in candle wax
  • the candle wick was not primed or waxed

Possible Solutions:

  • pour off the melted candle wax and relight the candle; re-melt the candle if that doesn't help
  • wipe water off the outside of the melting pot before pouring the candle wax
  • use candle mold sealer liberally to prevent seepage from the water bath
  • dry the taper candle thoroughly after dipping it in water
  • use a waxed candle wick, or soak the raw candle wicks in melted candle wax before using them

Candle Burning Too Fast

Possible Causes:

  • the candle wick is too large
  • the candle wax formula is too soft
  • there are air cavities around the candle wick

Possible Solutions:

  • use a smaller candle wick
  • add or increase the hardening additives such as Vybar, stearic, Poly, etc.
  • poke relief holes around the candle wick to make sure all cavities are filled

Candle Wick Drowning in Melt Pool

Possible Causes:

  • the candle wick is too small
  • the candle was not burned long enough
  • the candle wax formula is too soft

Possible Solutions:

  • use a larger candle wick
  • burn candles for at least one hour per inch of diameter
  • add hardening additives such as stearic, micro wax, Vybar, etc.

Candle Flame is Too Small

Possible Causes:

  • the candle wick is too small
  • the candle wax formula is too hard
  • essential oil is clogging the candle wick
  • pigment is clogging the candle wick

Possible Solutions:

  • use a larger candle wick
  • reduce the amount of hardening additives used
  • only use candle scents made specifically for candles
  • use dye instead of pigment for solid coloring; only use pigments for over-dips

Candle Flame is Too Large

Possible Causes:

  • the candle wick is too large
  • the candle wax formula is too soft
  • there is air trapped in the candle wax

Possible Solutions:

  • use a smaller candle wick
  • use additives such as Vybar, micro wax, beeswax, etc.
  • pour the candle wax slowly and steadily
  • pour the candle wax while it is hotter
  • tap the candle mold gently a minute after pouring to release the air bubbles

The Melt Pool is Too Small - (Tunneling)

Possible Causes:

  • the candle wick is too small
  • the candle wax formula is too hard

Possible Solutions:

  • use a larger candle wick, or multiple small candle wicks for candles over 4" in diameter
  • reduce the amount of hardening additives used

Candle has Poor Scent Throw

Possible Causes:

  • the the candle wax melt pool is too small

Possible Solutions:

  • use a larger candle wick, or multiple small candle wicks for candles over 4" in diameter
  • reduce the amount of hardening additives

Candle Wax Left Hanging on Container Walls - (Containers, Jars, Votives)

Possible Causes:

  • the candle wick is too small
  • the candle is not burned properly
  • the candle wax formula is too hard
  • the candle wax melt point is too high

Possible Solutions:

  • use a larger candle wick, or multiple small candle wicks for a full melt pool
  • burn the candle for at least 1 hour per inch of diameter
  • use a soft candle wax for har candles, or reduce the amount of hardening additives
  • use approximately 130° F melting point candle wax or lower for jar candles and votive candles

Candle Wick Mushrooming - (Carbon Caps)

Possible Causes:

  • the candle wick doesn't bend and combust properly

Possible Solutions:

  • this is unavoidable with cored candle wicks that are recommended for jar candles and votive candles
  • reduce impurities such as additives, dyes, fragrances, etc. used
  • use a flat braid candle wick in pillar candles and taper candles

Candle Wick Forms Ashes

Possible Causes:

  • too much impurities in the candle wax
  • non-treated or poorly treated candle wick

Possible Solutions:

  • reduce impurities such as additives, dyes, fragrances, etc.
  • use only treated candle wicks

Candle Wick Falls Over and Drowns in Pillar Candles

Possible Causes:

  • there is too much slack in the candle wick
  • the melt point of the candle wax is too low

Possible Solutions:

  • pull the candle wick taut when wicking the candle mold
  • use approximately 140° F melting point candle wax for pillar candles

Wick Falls Over and Drowns in Jar Candles and Votive Candles

Possible Causes:

  • the wrong type of candle wick was used
  • lack of a candle wick clip

Possible Solutions:

  • used cored candle wicks for jar candles a votive candless as they stand up better in the deep melt pools
  • use a candle wick clip to support candle wick during the last hours of burning

Candle Wick Corkscrews

Possible Causes:

  • there is a braiding flaw in the candle wick
  • the candle wick strands twisted before use

Possible Solutions:

  • inspect the candle wick and replace it if faulty
  • take care not to damage the raw candle wicks