How To Even Out A Candle?

Evening out a candle is an essential task to ensure its optimal burning performance and longevity. Whether you're dealing with a candle that has tunnelled, burned unevenly or developed a crater, there are several techniques you can employ to restore its balance and beauty. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore various methods for evening out a candle, step by step.

Assessing the Situation

Before you can begin the process of evening out a candle, it's essential to assess the extent of the problem. Take a close look at the candle and identify any areas where the wax has burned unevenly or formed a tunnel. This will help you determine the most effective approach for restoring the candle's symmetry and ensuring an even burn.

Method 1: Using a Hair Dryer

One effective method for evening out a candle is to use a hairdryer to melt the uneven wax and redistribute it evenly across the surface of the candle. Here's how to do it:

1. Prepare the Candle: Ensure that the candle is placed on a heat-resistant surface and remove any debris or wick trimmings from the wax.

2. Heat the Wax: Hold the hairdryer a few inches away from the surface of the candle and set it to a low or medium heat setting. Move the hairdryer back and forth across the surface of the candle, focusing on the areas where the wax has unevenly melted.

3. Rotate the Candle: As the wax begins to melt, rotate the candle slowly to ensure that the heat is evenly distributed and all areas of the wax are heated.

4. Allow to Cool: Once the wax has melted and spread evenly across the surface of the candle, turn off the hairdryer and allow the candle to cool and harden before relighting it.
   

Method 2: Using a Heat Gun

If you don't have a hairdryer available, you can also use a heat gun to even out a candle. Here's how:

1. Prepare the Candle: As with the hairdryer method, ensure that the candle is placed on a heat-resistant surface and remove any debris or wick trimmings from the wax.

2. Heat the Wax: Hold the heat gun a few inches away from the surface of the candle and turn it on to a low or medium heat setting. Move the heat gun back and forth across the surface of the candle, focusing on the areas where the wax has unevenly melted.

3. Rotate the Candle: As the wax begins to melt, rotate the candle slowly to ensure that the heat is evenly distributed and all areas of the wax are heated.

4. Allow to Cool: Once the wax has melted and spread evenly across the surface of the candle, turn off the heat gun and allow the candle to cool and harden before relighting it.
   

Method 3: Using a Knife or Spoon

If the candle has developed a deep tunnel or crater, you can use a knife or spoon to remove excess wax and even out the surface. Here's how:

1. Heat the Utensil: Hold a metal knife or spoon over a flame or heat source for a few seconds to warm it up. Be careful not to heat it too much to avoid causing injury or damage to the utensil.

2. Scrape the Wax: Gently scrape away the excess wax from the edges of the tunnel or crater, gradually working your way towards the centre. Take care not to remove too much wax, as this can affect the candle's burning performance.

3. Smooth the Surface: Once you've removed the excess wax, use the back of the knife or spoon to smooth out the surface of the candle, ensuring that it's level and even.

4. Allow to Cool: Allow the candle to cool and harden before relighting it, ensuring that the surface is firm and stable.
   

Conclusion

Evening out a candle is a simple yet essential task that can help prolong its life and ensure a more enjoyable burning experience. Whether using a hair dryer, heat gun, or utensil, these methods can effectively redistribute wax and restore symmetry to a candle that has burned unevenly or developed a tunnel. By following these step-by-step instructions, you can keep your candles looking beautiful and burning brightly for many hours of enjoyment to come.