How to Burn a Soy Candle: First Burn, Wick Care and Tunneling

A few simple habits help a soy candle burn more evenly: trim the wick, give the wax time to melt and keep the flame away from drafts.

This guide covers The GOOD LIFE's 8.5 oz candles, hand-poured in Aubrey, Texas with soy wax, beeswax and coconut oil. Always follow the care instructions on your candle's label.

Soy candle care at a glance

• Wick length: about 1/4 inch before each lighting.
• Burn sessions: usually two to four hours for our 8.5 oz candles, with a maximum of four hours.
• Between burns: allow at least two hours and wait until the wax and jar have cooled completely.
• When to stop: retire the candle when about 1/2 inch of wax remains.

 

1. Trim the wick before every burn

Once the candle is completely cool, trim the wick to about 1/4 inch. Remove the clipped piece from the jar before lighting.

A long wick can produce a larger flame, smoke and soot. Trim away any black, mushroom-shaped buildup on the tip, leaving about 1/4 inch of wick.

Check the wax for matches, wick pieces or other debris. These can catch fire, so the surface should be clear before you light it.

 

2. Give the first burn enough time

The melt pool is the liquid wax around the wick. Give the first burn time to spread that pool toward the sides of the jar.

For our 8.5 oz candles, plan around two to three hours for the first session. The time can vary with the fragrance and room conditions.

Never extend a burn beyond four hours to make the wax reach the glass. Extinguish the candle at that point and let it cool completely. A thin rim of wax during the first few burns can melt during later sessions.

 

3. Choose a good place to burn your candle

Use a stable, heat-resistant surface in a ventilated room, away from fans, air vents and open windows. Moving air can make the flame flicker and encourage uneven burning or soot.

Allow at least 12 inches between the flame and curtains, books or anything else that can burn. Keep candles beyond the reach of children and pets, and extinguish them before leaving the room or going to sleep.

 

4. Keep later burns within the recommended time

After the first burn, aim for sessions of two to four hours. Short, repeated sessions can leave more wax around the edges.

Extinguish with a snuffer or a gentle puff of air, and check that the flame is out. Wait at least two hours and until the jar and wax are completely cool before trimming or relighting. Avoid moving the jar while the wax is liquid. Never pour water into a candle to extinguish it.

Common soy candle problems

Why is my candle tunneling?

Tunneling happens when a candle burns down through the center and leaves substantial wax around the sides. Repeated short burns can contribute, but the wick and candle formula can also affect how evenly the wax melts.

A thin rim after an early burn can melt during later sessions. If you see a deep hole getting worse, extinguish the candle and ask the maker for advice.

If your TGL candle keeps burning down the middle, contact us for help with your candle. Send your order details, the scent, a photo of the cooled wax and your usual burn duration.

 

Why is my candle smoking or leaving black marks?

Extinguish it and allow it to cool. Check the wick length, remove any loose wick debris and choose a location away from drafts before the next burn.

If persistent smoke, an unusually large flame or heavy soot continues, stop using the candle and contact us. Extinguish it immediately if the glass cracks.

 

Why does my soy candle look bumpy after burning?

Soy wax can develop a rough surface as melted wax cools and solidifies. This texture is common and, by itself, does not affect how the candle performs.

How long does an 8.5 oz soy candle last?

The GOOD LIFE's 8.5 oz candles have an estimated burn time of up to 40 hours. Actual results vary with the fragrance, environment and care. That estimate refers to the total across several sessions.

Stop using the candle when about 1/2 inch of wax remains, even if you have not reached the estimated burn time. Leaving that final layer helps protect the jar from overheating near the bottom.

Between uses, store your cooled candle with its lid on in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. This helps keep dust and debris out of the wax.

Find a fragrance for your next evening in

If you enjoy warm amber and woods, explore Saffron 33. For lemon, eucalyptus and mint with a woodsy base, try Obsidian.

Explore our Texas soy candle scent guide or shop our hand-poured soy candles. Order online for US delivery or smell the collection at Grapevine Mills, in front of Pop Mart.

For days when you want fragrance without lighting a candle, explore our room sprays and 3 ml Scent Shots.