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My Reward PointsA dripping candle might have several causes. Fortunately, if you're using a well-made, high-quality candle, all of these problems can be readily resolved; it's simply a matter of diagnosing the cause and knowing the cure. This blog will explain why candles drip and how to prevent candles from dripping:
What is Candle Dripping?
Candle dripping occurs when melted wax drips from the sides of a burning candle due to heat from the flame melting the wax, which then flows due to gravity.
Draft, wax type, and wick length are some of the variables that can result in dripping. Short wicks cause a small flame, while wax pools provide fuel. A dripping effect may result from more wax melting due to an insufficient flame.
What are The Causes of Candle Dripping Wax?
Candle wax dripping can be caused by factors like insufficient wick length, uneven burning, airflow around the candle flame, wick type, and wax melting rate. Before learning how to prevent candle wax from dripping, it is important to understand the basic reasons for this phenomenon:
1. Wick length
If your candle starts dripping, check it. Extinguish the flame, cool the candle, trim or replace the candle wick to 6mm, and relight to prevent dripping or uneven burning.
2. The candle burned unevenly
Uneven burning, or tunnelling, occurs when a candle's wax doesn't melt uniformly, causing a deeper burn in the center and an unmelted wax ring, which can cause the wick to sink and extinguish the flame.
3. Airflow around a candle flame
Airflow around a candle flame can cause wax to drop due to drafts or strong winds, causing uneven burning and melting too quickly, leading to overflow over the candle container's edges.
4. Type of wick
The type and length of a wick can affect a candle's wax drop, with improper trimming leading to uneven burning and melted wax. The wick's substance and wax type also impact the candle's burning and dripping behavior.
5. Wax melting rate
The amount of wax dripped from a candle is directly proportional to its melting rate, with rapid melting due to low melting point wax or a quick burning wick causing more dripping.
How to Fix Candle Dripping?
To fix dripping candles, trim the wick to 6mm, ensure that the candle burns evenly, and make sure the wax is properly cured. Here are the explained points on how to keep candle wax from dripping.
A) Trim the wick
Trimming a candle's wick to the correct length, around 1/2 inch, can prevent dripping, but it's crucial to avoid a wick that's too long or too short.
B) Light the candle for the right amount of time.
Burning a candle correctly, especially during the initial burn, can reduce dripping and improve the burning process. Using the entire top layer of wax prevents tunnelling, preventing leaking and other issues.
C) Burn evenly
A candle burns evenly, reducing or eliminating dripping by heating the entire wax melt surface, preventing a "tunnel" in the center, and causing wax to drop down the edges.
D) Ensure proper curing of the wax.
Proper curing of wax significantly impacts candle dripping and is a crucial stage in candle-making. It ensures proper adhesion of aroma ingredients, leading to a cleaner burn and reduced dripping.
Conclusion
To summarise, how to prevent candles from dripping wax requires understanding essential parameters, such as wick length, burning style, and wax quality. By ensuring that the wick is properly trimmed, that the candle burns evenly, and that the wax has been given enough time to cure, you can enjoy a candle experience that is both cleaner and more efficient.
