How to get a clean, even first burn (and avoid tunneling)
The first time you light a candle sets the pattern for every burn after it. Here's how to get it right.
Wax has a memory. The width of the melt pool on the very first burn is the width it tends to return to every time after, which is why a candle that's blown out too early can 'tunnel' straight down the middle and leave a ring of wasted wax on the sides.
Give the first burn time
Let the candle burn until the melted wax reaches all the way to the edge of the tin or tumbler. For our 7 oz tins that's usually two to three hours; the 12 oz tumblers can take a little longer. Plan to light it when you'll be home and nearby for the evening.
Trim before every light
Trim the wick to about ¼ inch each time, once the wax has cooled. A shorter wick burns calmer, with less flicker and less soot on the vessel.
Quick checklist
- Burn on a heat-safe, level surface away from drafts, curtains, children, and pets.
- Don't burn for more than 3–4 hours at a time.
- Stop when about ½ inch of wax remains in the bottom.
- Never leave a burning candle unattended.
Do those few things and you'll get every hour of burn time out of your candle, from the first light to the last.