Trick to Fix an Off-center Candle Wick

How do you fix a candle wick that has floated off-center? The answer is actually as simple as pushing it back to the right spot. However, there are a couple of things to know so that you adhere to proper fire safety and don't damage the wick as a short wick can cause other issues with your candle. Additionally, we want to make sure you know how to prevent it from happening. 

Let's get started.

How Does a Candle Wick Become Off-Center?

One answer is that it happened during manufacturing. At Keystone Candle, we do our best to ensure that all of our candle's wicks are in the exact middle of the wax while we are pouring them. Yet, we are human, and we can make mistakes. If your brand new candle wick isn't dead center, you can still use the following tips to fix it.

The second, answer is that the candle was lit for an extended period of time and the wick floated just a little or even a lot out of the middle. We've seen this happen on numerous occasions, and though it isn't ideal, it's not the end of your candle's life.

Your candle can be fixed easily if the wick is or becomes offcenter.

How to Fix an Off-center Candle Wick?

The easiest way to fix a wick that isn't quite in the middle is to do so after the candle has been lit and the wax is still soft. Let's break it down step by step.

How to re-center a candle wick

Step 1: You notice the wax melting quicker on one side of the candle and that the wick seems to be not exactly in the middle of the wax.

Step 2: Extinguish the flame.

Step 3: Use a butter knife to push the wick gently towards the center of the candle. Be careful not to break off the fragile tip of the wick. If the wax is still liquified the wick may try to scoot back over after you've moved it. The best way to lock it in place is to allow the wax to cool a bit so that it can hold the wick in place once you re-center it.

This is the quickest way to get your wick back in the right place, and this method can be used if you ever notice your candle's wick trying to go on an adventure.

Methods to Limit Your Candle Wick's Movement

As we mentioned above, the wick may move if the candle is lit for an extended period of time. This happens because the molten wax heats the wax farther down into the candle softening it and giving the wick room to move around. To avoid this, keep an eye on your candles. Make sure that you give them enough time to melt out to their proper diameter, liquifying enough of their wax, without burning so long that the melt pool extends deeply into the candle. For more information about candle burn times, check out our blog "How Long Should I Burn A Candle?".

Never leaving your candle unattended is the best way to not only make sure your candle wick doesn't start a side-quest, but also to ensure that you adhere to proper fire safety.

While a candle wick that goes a bit out of the middle does not mean the death of your candle, there is a time when an off-centered wick can create a bit of chaos.

When is an Off-center Candle Wick a Problem?

A candle wick that is slightly off-center is only an issue of even burning and aesthetics. However, a candle wick that drifts too close to the edge can create a mess if left unchecked.

In a jar candle a flame that reaches too close to the glass can overheat the glassware and cause it to shatter. With pillar candles, the outer edge of wax is used to contain the liquid pool in the center. If the flame gets too close and melts that wax wall, the liquid wax will be able to leak out creating a mess on your tabletops.

This is why it is so important to never leave your candle unattended. That way you can monitor your candle's behavior and ensure that you do not have any accidents.

Conclusion

An off-center wick is not the end of the world, and fixing it is quite simple. We've seen candle wicks float out of the middle on occasion even in our own homes, so you're in good company. Just give it a gentle nudge back to where it belongs and you'll be enjoying peaceful candlelight in no-time.