A common problem met with burning candles is when it burns down inside itself and drowns in its own wax. There are a number of possible causes for this, including:
(i). If the candle is burned for a short periods only, then is extinguished before it establishes its wick pool - and each time burns downward but hasn't had time to burn out. This leads to a situation where wax that should have been used up in previous burnings, comes down and drowns the wick. Although it is possible to recover such a candle by carving off the excess wax, it is better to use thinner candles for short periods and burn fatter, (2” or more wide), candles, long enough to melt a full wick pool.
(ii). The wick has curled over into its own wick pool, put itself out, and the wax has set over most of the wick. This can be prevented by righting the wick when it first leans and trimming it if it gets too long. If the wick gets covered with set wax, it can be regained by melting or scraping the covering wax away.
(iii). Some candles are made with pigment dyes which do not burn very well. This, or dust and muck in the candle can diminish the flame to make for a poor burning candle wick gradually burns down, but has not strength of flame to burn a crater of any width. The only remedy for this is to tip out wax pool each time it fills up, and hope to get past the muck.
(iv). The candle wick is far too small. If fatter candles are burned with care and occasional attention, they will have a lantern-like effect, as well as creating a crater of interesting texture. In some cases, the left over shell can be reused by putting a smaller candle inside. Tall candles cannot burn successfully as hollow burners.
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copyright © Brian Steere March 2001 to
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