Why Is My Candle Tunnelling? Common Candle Making Problems & Fixes

Every candle maker hits a few frustrating problems early on. The good news? Almost all of them have simple fixes. Here’s a troubleshooting guide to the most common issues.

1. Tunnelling

The problem: wax burns down the middle, leaving a ring around the sides.

The fix: use a larger wick, and always let the first burn last long enough to form a full melt pool to the edges.

2. Sinkholes & Uneven Tops

The problem: dips and holes form as the candle cools.

The fix: pour a little cooler, cool slowly, and do a second “top-up” pour to level the surface.

3. Frosting (White Crystals)

The problem: a white, frosty look on soy candles.

The fix: it’s natural to soy wax and harmless — pour slightly warmer and cool slowly to reduce it.

4. Poor Scent Throw

The problem: the candle barely smells when lit.

The fix: add fragrance at the correct temperature, use the right fragrance load, and let the candle cure for a few days before burning.

5. Smoking or Sooty Flame

The problem: black soot and a large, flickering flame.

The fix: size down the wick and trim it to 5mm before each burn.

6. Wet Spots (Glass Adhesion)

The problem: patches where wax pulls away from the jar.

The fix: warm your containers before pouring and cool the candles at room temperature.

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