Candle wicks are made of cotton or hemp and treated with a chemical to help them burn more evenly. But when the wick is too short, it can cause candle tunneling, which is when the flame only burns down the middle of your candle instead of all around. This not only gives you an uneven burn but also wastes wax and reduces its scent throw. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent this from happening and fix a short candle wick if it does occur. In this article, we’ll cover how to properly trim your candle’s wick for optimal burning results as well as what to do if you find yourself with a short candle wick before lighting it up.
How to Prevent a Short Candle Wick
One of the best ways to prevent a short candle wick is to trim it before each burn. When you first light a candle, the wick should be trimmed to about 1/4 inch in length. This will help ensure that the flame stays centered within the wax container and won’t cause candle tunneling as it burns down. When you finish that burn, trim the wick again before lighting a new one. Keeping the wick trimmed will help avoid any short candle wicks and keep your candles burning evenly.
Fixing a Short Candle Wick
If you’ve already lit a candle and noticed it starting to tunnel, don’t panic. You can fix a short candle wick by carefully blowing out the flame and allowing it to cool completely. Then, use your fingers or a pair of tweezers to pull up the remaining wick until it’s about 1/4 inch above the wax. Finally, trim off the excess wick with scissors and relight your candle.
Fire tip: Keep candles away from drafts – Drafts can cause a candle flame to burn too quickly which can cause the wick to burn short.
By following these two simple steps, you can prevent and fix a short candle wick. Keeping the wick trimmed before each burn will help ensure that your candles always burn evenly and last longer. And if you do find yourself with a short candle wick, don’t worry! With just a bit of effort, you can easily fix it and get your candle burning properly again. Happy burning!



