Why the candle does not want to burn, what to do and how to prevent it?

When we buy a candle, we expect it to help bring a cozy and soothing atmosphere into the house. If it is a scented candle, we want to feel a pleasant, enveloping aroma in our interior. What to do if you made a purchase from an insecure source and the candle does not want to burn? Be sure to read our guide.

Why the candle won't burn?

There are many reasons why your candle does not want to burn. Here are the most popular ones:

• If you buy from untested manufacturers who use random wicks, it is often the case that the poor fit of the wick to the candle makes it unable to dissolve the wax. Then the candle does not want to burn. So remember to always buy good quality candles from reputable manufacturers. Cottage products usually do not meet any quality standards.
• It is possible that you trimmed the wick too much. Most reputable candle manufacturers recommend that the wick be about 5 mm long. A wick that is too long means the candle burns out too quickly, and one that is too short means problems with lighting the candle. This phenomenon can also result in sinking of the wick.
• The wick drowned in the candle. If this has happened to you, there are two reasons. The first - in the case of cottage products - ill-fitting wick and poor workmanship of the candle. The second - if you inadvertently bumped the candle while burning, such as hitting a table, the wax may have flooded the wick.
• In your candle formed the so-called tunnel (that is, the candle did not burn to the walls of the vessel, only on the walls remained undissolved wax. A funnel has formed in the center of the candle. In that case, take a look at this article dedicated to the topic of candle tunneling.
• Your candle has been flooded with water. If the wick is wet, you will have a very hard time lighting it (the same is true for wet wood and lighting a campfire)

What to do when the candle does not want to burn?

It all depends on the reason why your candle does not want to burn:

• Poor quality candle - unfortunately there is no single good solution. You can try all of the following ways, but it is best for the second time to buy a good quality candle from a proven candle manufacturer.
• Too short a wick. Try lighting a candle for a dozen - several dozen minutes. Then put out the flame and try to pour out the excess wax. A small tunnel may form in the candle, but the wick will be longer and you will light the candle more easily.
• Wick sunk into candle. If you manage to scrape a bit of wax around the wick, straighten it and light it - great, you have a solution to the problem (you can additionally apply the advice from the subsection too short a wick later). If the wax is still liquid or semi-liquid, use a special wick winches.
• A tunnel in a candle. If it is small, try kindling scented candle or unscented for a longer period of time (a few hours), it is possible that this will be enough to dissolve the wax from the walls. You can also use a special candle cap that makes it easier to burn in adverse conditions. If not, you can try using a long candle lighter and dissolve the wax from the walls. Alternatively, you are left with scraping the excess wax off the walls, for example, with a wooden spatula. However, these ways will not guarantee full success, especially if you have a candle from an untested source.
• Flooded candle. Put it in a warm and dry place. If there is water in the candle, of course pour it out. When the wick dries, chances are you will be able to light the candle.

Why the wick doesn't burn?

One of the most common problems with candles is that the wick does not want to burn. There can be many reasons for this - from the wrong wick for the candle, to its inadequate length, to poor storage of the candle. If the wick is too short, its flame may not be able to heat the wax enough, causing the candle to fail to burn. On the other hand, too long a wick can lead to rapid burning and sometimes even smoking.

Low-quality candles, especially those from unknown manufacturers, may have an ill-fitting wick, resulting in its sinking into the wax or the inability to burn the candle evenly. Remember to regularly trim the wick to the correct length, as this is a key element in ensuring that the candle burns properly.

Candle does not want to burn - other causes

When a candle does not want to burn, the problem is not always due to the poor quality of the product itself. Sometimes the causes lie in the use or improper storage of candles. Here are some additional reasons why a candle may not want to burn:

• Candle burning too short - if you don't let the candle burn long enough for the wax to melt into the walls of the vessel, tunneling can occur, causing the candle to lose its potential. As a result, the wick can sink into the wax and the problem of firing the candle becomes even worse.
• Inadequate storage - if the candle has been stored in a damp place, the wick may have absorbed moisture, making it significantly more difficult to light the candle. To prevent this, it is a good idea to keep the candles in a dry and cool place, away from water and moisture.
• Damaged wick - During storage or handling of the candle, the wick may have broken or damaged, making the candle not want to burn. If this happens, try gently removing the excess wax around the wick and straightening it out.

How to prevent candle burning problems?

To avoid situations in which the candle does not want to burn, it is worth paying attention to several key points:

• Buy quality candles - candles from reputable manufacturers ensure better burning because the wick and wax are properly matched. Cottage products often do not meet quality standards, which can lead to smoking problems.
• Take care of the length of the wick - regularly trim the wick to a length of about 5 mm. This is the optimum length that will ensure the candle burns evenly without excessive smoke or extinguishing.
• Burn candles for the right amount of time - every time you light a candle, leave it long enough for the wax to melt all over the dish. In this way, you will avoid tunneling and problems with lighting a candle in the future.
• Avoid moisture - keep candles in a dry, cool place. A damp wick may not want to burn, and this can be one of the main causes of problems with firing the candle.

With these tips and proper care of your candles, you will minimize the risk of burning problems and always enjoy a pleasant, soothing atmosphere in your home.