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My Reward PointsSinkholes are small, unfilled pockets that form when candle wax solidifies, affecting the aesthetic appeal, burning quality, and overall durability of a candle. These sinkholes can be formed in any type of candle, such as a container, pillar, or votive, and tend to descend towards the centre.
Identifying and fixing sinkholes is vital to maintaining the candle's functionality and safety. It's not just about having a beautiful candle but also about ensuring it burns evenly and safely. To guarantee a secure and pleasurable burning experience, it's critical to understand the reasons behind sinkholes in candles and how to fix them.
What are Sinkholes?
Imagine you're building a sandcastle, and suddenly a section of it falls. That is similar to what happens in our candles, and we refer to these collapses as 'sinkholes'. Usually found on the top surface of a candle or around the wick, a candle sinkhole is a tiny, cone-shaped indentation or air pocket cavity that forms in wax.
In other words, candle-making sinkholes are unexpected little dips or holes that can be formed at the centre of a candle when it cools and hardens. They bear a resemblance to tiny caverns where the wax has chosen to conceal itself. Candle sinking around the wick can range in size from hardly noticeable to quite enormous.
What Causes Sinkholes in Candles?
The question is, what causes sinkholes in candles? Well, sinkholes can be caused by various factors such as incorrect pouring temperature, improper technique, wrong wax type, incorrect wick placement, and container temperature, which can be pointed out by the basic explanations below:
1. Pouring Temperature
The temperature at which the wax is applied can have an impact on how well it solidifies; too hot wax may result in sinkholes, while too cold wax may cause gaps and uneven surfaces, which will disrupt the process as a whole.
2. Improper Pouring Technique
Poor pouring technique can cause sinkhole formation in candles due to the wax's cooling process and its interaction with air and the container.
3. Type of Wax Used
The type of wax used in candles significantly influences sinkhole formation due to its variable melting points and contraction rates.
4. Placement of the Wick
The wick's position and type can influence the wax's cooling and solidification, with poorly centred or larger wicks potentially creating a sinkhole in the candle.
5. Temperature of the Container
The temperature of the container significantly affects the production of sinkholes in candles, as a cold container can cause the wax to cool too quickly, resulting in sinkholes.
How to Prevent a Candle Sinkhole?
You can prevent a candle sink hole by pouring wax at the right temperature, using a heat gun, ensuring excellent placement of the wick, using air release holes, and managing the cooling environment. Here are the detailed explanations for how to avoid sinkholes in candles:
1. Pour Wax at the Right Temperature.
The wax should be poured at a cooler temperature to prevent sinkholes, with the exact temperature determined by the wax type and the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Use a Heat Gun.
In order to fix candle sinkholes, heat the surface gradually with a hairdryer or low-setting heat gun, being careful not to overheat to avoid new sinkholes or wax bending.
3. Ensure Proper Placement of the Wick.
Proper wick placement prevents sinkholes in candles, but uneven melting and cooling contribute to the issue. Other factors like wick size, wax type, and cooling environment also play a role.
4. Using Air Release Holes
Correctly designed air release holes can prevent sinkholes in candles by allowing air to escape, preventing voids from forming during the cooling and hardening process.
5. Manage a Cooling Environment.
Avoiding drafts, temperature fluctuations, and direct sunlight is essential for consistent cooling because the cooling atmosphere of the candle can influence the formation of sinkholes.
How to fix the Candle Sinkhole.
In addition to being frequent in the candle-making industry, sinkholes are also simple to find and fix. Despite best practices, sinkholes can occur during candle manufacture. Experts have quality checks in place for avoiding or fixing candle sinkholes.
Identifying Sinkholes
- Use a wooden skewer or a sharp object to find pockets of space deeper in the wax.
- Dig a tunnel into any vacant spots beneath the surface.
Reheat the wax
- Use a blow dryer or heat gun for candles to melt the top layer of wax.
- Melt the wax until it is level, filling the sinkhole.
Cautions
- If the sinkhole is large, the candle may be smaller.
- Consider pouring again or starting anew with a fresh candle.
Curing the Candle
- After melting, let the candle cure to fill all gaps.
Does a Sinkhole Affect the Candle Performance?
A concealed sinkhole in a candle system can cause a fire. As liquid wax seeps into the hole, the wick's fuel source is destroyed, causing it to burn down and eventually return to the liquid wax at the bottom.
Such an event can lead to a single long flame, potentially causing glass to overheat and fracture. Sinkholes are unsightly and negatively impact wick function, causing excessive wick exposure and dangerous flames.
Conclusion
When candles are made, sinkholes are a common problem that can lead to destruction because of temperature changes. Steer clear of them, keep an eye on the ingredients, and reduce sharp temperature swings. If sinkholes occur, repair them by remelting the candle surface, poking holes, smoothing wax, pouring at cooler temperatures, preheating vessels, and repouring heated wax. Hope this blog about how to fix sinkholes in candles not only helps you with its causes but also with its avoidance tips. However, experimentation is crucial for creating unique candles.
