You are ready to relax. You light your beautiful new wood wick candle, anticipating the gentle crackle and warm glow. It flickers for a moment, it tries to catch, and then it goes out. You try again. Same thing. There are few things more frustrating when you are trying to unwind.
First, let us reassure you. Your candle is not broken. This is a common issue, and the fix is almost always incredibly simple. As the experts on the [perfect wood wick burn], we are here to help. This is our troubleshooting guide to the three most common reasons a wood wick goes out, and exactly how to solve them.
Reason #1: The Wick is Too Long (This is the culprit 99% of the time)
The Problem: This is the most common reason a wood wick will not stay lit. The flame needs to be close enough to the wax to draw it up as fuel. If the wick is too long, the wax cannot make the journey up the wood. The flame gets starved of fuel and quickly extinguishes itself.
The Fix: You need to trim your wick. As we explained in our [guide to trimming wood wicks], the wick should only be about 1/4 inch long, or even a little less. Before you try to relight it, wait for it to cool, and gently pinch off the black, ashy part from the top. Your problem will most likely be solved instantly.
Reason #2: The Candle Has "Tunneled"
The Problem: If a candle was not burned long enough on its first use, it can create a 'tunnel' of wax down the center. As the wick gets deeper into this tunnel, it cannot get enough oxygen from the surrounding air to sustain a flame. The flame will appear weak, it will flicker, and it will eventually suffocate and go out.
The Fix: You need to reset your candle's wax memory. You can do this with the simple 'tinfoil trick' that we describe in our [guide to fixing tunneling]. This method will melt the hard wax on the sides and allow the flame to get the oxygen it needs to thrive.
Reason #3: There is Water in the Wax Pool
The Problem: This is less common, but it can happen, especially if a candle is used in a bathroom or is near an open window on a misty New York evening. If even a tiny drop of water gets into the molten wax pool, it will be drawn up the wick right along with the wax. When the water hits the flame, it will extinguish it immediately.
The Fix: Gently use the corner of a paper towel to absorb the visible water droplet from the melt pool. If you cannot see it, the best solution is simply to be patient. Relight the candle. It may go out a few times as it works through the moisture, but eventually the heat will be enough to evaporate the small amount of water, and the flame will stay lit.
The Verdict
A wood wick that keeps going out is almost always a sign of one of these three simple things: it is too long, it is suffocating in a tunnel, or it has a bit of water in its fuel. The solution is always simple: trim, reset, or be patient.
A high performance Mbur Candle Co. candle is designed for a flawless burn. With these simple care tips, you can ensure a perfect experience every time.
Still have questions? Our team is always here to help. Reach out to us anytime.
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