Why Your Wooden Wick Candle Won’t Stay Lit (And How to Fix It)

The gentle crackle and unique flicker of a wooden wick candle can create a cozy, soothing atmosphere, but they do burn a little differently than traditional cotton wicks. If you’ve ever struggled with your wooden wick not staying lit, don’t worry! There are just a few common issues that can cause this, and with a little know-how, your candle will burn beautifully.

Here are our top 3 tips for getting the best results from your wooden wick candles:

1) The First Burn Is Crucial – Do It Right!

The first burn is the most important. Make sure to give your candle enough time to create a melted wax pool that extends all the way to the edge of the container. This can take up to a few hours, depending on the candle’s size.

Your jar candles have a “wax-memory,” and once the first burn pattern is established, it can be hard to change. This means that a proper first burn will ensure even burning for the rest of the candle’s life.

2) Keep Your Wooden Wick Trimmed and Clean

For an optimal burn, it’s important to keep your wood wick trimmed to about ⅛ inch (about the width of the metal part of a USB drive). This is shorter than you might think, but it ensures the wick can properly draw the wax up to the flame.

Additionally, make sure to clean off any burnt parts from previous burns. The wick is not what fuels the flame—the wax does. If your wick is too long or charred, the wax can’t flow upwards to keep the flame alive.

For trimming, we recommend using nail clippers or wire cutters. In a pinch, you can gently break off the burnt parts with your fingers and a napkin, but always wait for the candle to cool first to avoid making a mess in the wax.

3) How to Fix a Candle That’s Tunneling

If your wooden wick candle has started tunneling (where the wax burns down the center but leaves wax around the edges), there’s a simple fix!

First option (best choice):
If the candle is still burning, let it burn for a longer time until the wax has melted evenly across the entire surface. This should help "reset" the wax memory and prevent further tunneling.

If the candle won’t stay lit because it’s “drowning” in wax, soak up some excess wax with a paper towel or napkin. Wait a minute, then relight the candle. Repeat until the wick has enough space to burn properly.

Last resort:
If the tunneling persists, you can try scraping out the wax near the edges or use aluminum foil to create a dome around the rim to help melt the hardened wax at the edges. This should be a last resort, so proceed with caution!

Prevention Is Key!

While it’s great to know how to fix issues, prevention is always better. By following these three simple steps, your wooden wick candles should burn evenly, beautifully, and without frustration.

With proper care, you’ll be able to enjoy the soothing crackle and gentle glow of your candle while filling your space with light and positive energy.