I have one of those multi-wick (3) cylindrical candles about 4-5 inches in diameter. But somehow I managed to make 2 of those 3 wicks inoperable.
Basically they got covered in wax and wouldn’t light. So after many tries of melting a little wax around each to give it more space, I just took a knife to cut chunks of wax away. After I scraped all the chunks and wax shavings away from the area, instead of the thick black wick I was left with a thin pathetic excuse for a wick (TPEW), as if I scraped the coating away. I know nothing at all about wicks, so I didn’t know the wicks were even coated (are they? am I even perceiving the situation correctly?).
Well, I tried to light the TPEW and it just burnt away in a matter of seconds and went out.
So what can I do so as to not waste the candle? Is there a wick I can get that would be solid enough so that I could just shove it in there to replace the old one? Any other suggestions?
Love making candles! Don’t cut chunks! Get some wicks from old candles or new wick material. Insert something like an “ice pick” next to the existing 3 wicks to about 3" depth. Insert extra wicks (old or new). Melt wax, from a small candle, over inserted wicks. Light and enjoy …
You have a definite candle dilemma. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do at this point.
The problem is, the wicks used for your candle were probably too small to burn the melted wax completely, so they drowned out. Three wicks are tricky that way: if the wicks are too small, they drown; if they’re too big, they burn through the side and all the wax runs out. The only decent 3 wicks I’ve ever used were Partylite or the ones I made myself.
If I were you, I’d chunk up the whole thing and melt it in a potpourri pot, tart warmer, or on an old pot on the stove. That way, you get the nice scent without with fussiness of the wicks.
In the alternative (this is the PIA solution), you can try this: Take an old, big skillet (one you won’t need again). Heat it over low-medium heat. Put your candle in it, upside down, so the previously burned sections will melt away. KEEP AN EYE ON IT! Otherwise it won’t melt evenly. Keep at it until you’ve melted away the entire top portion of the candle, so that you now have three wax-free wicks sticking out. Then you can get rid of the melted wax, and try burning your candle again. This might work–I can’t guarantee it, because the real problem is in the design of your candle.
Or, toss the whole thing and buy a Partylite 3-wick. It may cost you $40ish (you might get on cheaper on eBay), but those babies will burn until they are literally 1 inch tall, so you’d probably save money in the long run. I could make you a similar one, but for not much less money.
Next time you scrape a wick, be sure to dribble some melted wax on it before lighting. The wick serves to wick up liquid wax, which burns. If there isn’t enough wax on the wick to start with, you don’t get this capillary action, and the string just burns off.
Ok, thanks. I might try your option#2. Incidentally, since you are in the candlemaking circle, here’s a great idea for an invention: the hardwick - a wick so hard you can spike it right through the wax. If it ever gets off the ground, could you send a couple my way?
I may take you up on that Karol. It was actually not even my candle that I destroyed and I’m feeling a bit guilty about it.
Don’t feel guilty, Moe. I firmly believe that less expensive 3 wicks are designed to do that…if they burn flawlessly, you’d hardly ever have to replace them, after all. Candle companies WANT you to buy a new one after the one you just bought burns out after just a few inches of burning.
