Why Won't My Wood Wick Stay Lit? A Troubleshooting Guide
There's nothing quite like the soft crackle of a wood wick on a cool evening. But if you've ever struck match after match while your candle sputters out, you know wood wicks can feel a little particular.
Here's the good news: almost every wood wick problem comes down to one of three things, wick length, the first burn, or airflow. Once you know what to look for, your candle will light easily and burn beautifully down to the last layer of wax.
We hear these questions from customers, so we've gathered every common issue and its fix in one place.
My wood wick won't light
Why it happens: The wick is too long, or charred wood from the last burn is blocking fresh wood. A wood wick draws melted wax up through its grain, and too much char or length starves the flame.
The fix:
- Trim the wick to about 1/8 inch before every burn. This one step solves most lighting problems.
- Once the wax has cooled, gently scrape away any blackened bits.
- Hold the flame to the wick at a slight angle for 15 to 20 seconds. Wood takes a little longer to catch than cotton.
- Tilt the candle slightly so the flame runs along the length of the wick.
My candle lights, then goes out
Why it happens: The flame isn't getting enough wax fuel. Usually the wick is too long, or the melt pool is too shallow to feed it.
The fix:
- Trim to 1/8 inch. A long wick burns faster than the wax can reach it.
- If melted wax is drowning the wick, extinguish the candle and gently blot a little of the excess with a folded paper towel. A small, steady flame is normal at first.
- Move the candle away from fans, vents and open windows. Wood wicks are sensitive to drafts.
My candle is tunneling
Why it happens: The first burn ended before the melted wax reached the edges of the jar. Soy wax has a "memory," so each later burn follows that first ring and digs a tunnel down the middle.
The fix:
- On the first burn, let the melt pool reach the edge of the jar. For a 14oz candle, plan on about 2 to 3 hours.
- To rescue a tunneled candle, wrap foil around the top of the jar, leaving an opening in the center, and burn for an hour or two. The foil reflects heat outward and evens out the surface.
- Never burn more than 4 hours at a time.
The flame is too small or weak
Why it happens: The wick is trimmed too short, or wax is pooling over it.
The fix: Let the candle burn for a few minutes to build a melt pool. If the flame is still weak, extinguish it and gently blot a little of the melted wax around the wick with a folded paper towel so more wick is exposed, then relight.
The flame is too big, flickers or smokes
Why it happens: The wick is too long, or the candle is in a draft.
The fix: Extinguish, let the candle cool, trim to 1/8 inch, and relight away from airflow. A healthy wood wick flame is low, wide and steady.
My candle isn't crackling
Why it happens: The crackle comes from wax moving through the wood grain. If the wick is too long, too short, or the melt pool is still forming, the crackle fades.
The fix: Trim to 1/8 inch and give the candle 15 to 30 minutes to build a full melt pool. The crackle usually settles in once the candle is warm.
I can't smell my candle
Why it happens: Scent releases from the melt pool, not the flame. A small pool means a soft scent.
The fix: Burn long enough for a full melt pool, about an hour or more. Smaller rooms fill faster than open spaces, so match the candle to the room.
Your quick wood wick routine
|
Step |
When |
What to do |
|---|---|---|
|
Trim |
Before every burn |
Cut the wick to about 1/8 inch and clear away any char |
|
Light |
Each burn |
Hold the flame at an angle for 15 to 20 seconds |
|
First burn |
The very first time |
Burn until the melt pool reaches the jar's edge, about 2 to 3 hours |
|
Burn time |
Every time |
Up to 4 hours, then let it rest |
|
Extinguish |
Every time |
Use a snuffer instead of blowing it out |
A few safety reminders
- Never leave a burning candle unattended.
- Keep it on a level, heat-resistant surface, away from curtains, paper, children and pets.
- Stop burning when about 1/2 inch of wax remains, so the jar doesn't overheat.
Still having trouble?
If you've tried these steps and your candle still isn't behaving, contact us. We hand-pour every candle and want each one to burn beautifully.
The easiest way to keep your wood wick happy is a good trimmer. Our black wooden wick trimmers are made for exactly this, and they look great on a coffee table, too.
Ready for your next candle? Explore the Fall Collection.