Candle tunneling not only affects how long your candle will burn but also impacts its overall shape and look as it progresses through its life cycle. Understanding how tunneling works is important for candle makers in order to produce better quality candles with improved longevity and pleasing aesthetic effects.
The candle tunneling problem is a common issue that candle lovers often encounter. When the candle wax only melts near the wick, it leaves hardened wax around the edges and this can be an eyesore. It also affects how the wick performs as there will be more wax to burn through than an even level. This can be a pain to get the candle to restart if the wick becomes flooded.
Tunneling happens because the candle produces heat, which causes the wax around the wick to melt at different rates. The wax melts faster near the flame, causing it to form a tunnel. As more of the candle is burned, this tunnel can become deeper and wider as well if you don't get the times right when using your candle each time.
Fascinatingly, tunneling can even be used as a diagnostic tool by candle experts to assess the quality of certain materials or ingredients used in candle making. For example, tunneling can be used to find out if the candle has been made from beeswax or paraffin wax, as each material produces a slightly different tunnel shape when they burn.
Overall, tunneling is an interesting phenomenon that candle makers and enthusiasts should be aware of in order to get the most out of their candle creations. By understanding how tunneling works and what causes it, you can better optimize your candle design for both lasting beauty and a longer burning time.
Remember to burn your candle for at least 2 hours at a time to avoid tunneling.
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