"Did I mess up my candle?"

The Hour-Per-Inch Rule: Why Burn Time Matters More Than You Think

Lighting a candle feels simple—strike a match, enjoy the glow, blow it out when you’re ready. But if you’ve ever noticed a candle tunneling down the middle or leaving thick wax walls around the edges, chances are the problem wasn’t the candle… it was the burn time.

One of the most important candle-care guidelines is the hour-per-inch rule, and understanding it can make the difference between a candle that lasts beautifully and one that feels “ruined” halfway through.

What Is the Hour-Per-Inch Rule?

The hour-per-inch rule is exactly what it sounds like:

For every inch of your candle’s diameter, you should burn it for one hour during each session.

  • A 2-inch-wide candle → burn for at least 2 hours
  • A 3-inch-wide candle → burn for at least 3 hours
  • A 4-inch-wide candle → burn for at least 4 hours

This allows the wax to melt evenly across the entire surface, creating what candle makers call a full melt pool.

Why the First Burn Is Critical

The very first burn sets the “memory” for your candle. Wax naturally wants to melt the same way it did before, so if the initial burn is too short, the candle learns to melt narrowly around the wick.

That’s where problems begin.

What Happens When You Extinguish Too Soon?

Blowing out a candle before it has fully melted to the edges causes tunneling—a deep hole forms down the center while solid wax clings to the sides of the jar.

I felt bad for this customer who recently purchases a BIG SOY candle from me.  This candle is 6" in diameter and takes a good amount of time to melt to the glass.  Even with multiple wicks, this candle needs four hours at a go to burn properly.

 

Once tunneling starts:

  • The wick struggles to melt the leftover wax
  • The flame may become weak or drown
  • Large amounts of wax go unused
  • The candle’s lifespan is shortened dramatically

Even if you burn the candle longer later, it often can’t fully recover. The damage is usually permanent.

Why Tunneling Ruins Future Burns

A tunneled candle doesn’t just look bad—it affects performance:

  • Uneven heat distribution prevents proper melting
  • Wasted wax remains stuck to the container
  • Poor scent throw occurs because less wax is warming
  • Safety issues can arise as the flame sinks deeper

In short, a candle that tunnels rarely burns the way it was designed to.

How to Burn Candles the Right Way (Every Time)

To get the most out of your candle:

  • Always follow the hour-per-inch rule
  • Plan your burn time—don’t light a candle if you only have 20 minutes
  • Let the melt pool reach the edges before extinguishing
  • Trim your wick to about ¼ inch before lighting

If you’re short on time, it’s better to skip lighting altogether than to do a quick burn that causes long-term damage.

If you have messed up a soy candle, don't panic.  Soy is soft, and you can peel away the higher parts of the candle with a butter knife or spoon.  Once you have levelled the wax, you can try to relight and you just might save it!

 

A Little Patience Goes a Long Way

Candles are meant to be enjoyed slowly. Giving them the time they need—especially on that first burn—ensures an even melt, a stronger scent, and a candle that lasts all the way to the bottom.

So next time you light one, settle in, relax, and let it do its thing. Your candle will thank you for it.

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