how do i save my candle?

tudorfan22

i have got a really nice yankee candle in a glass that was brought for me a few xmases ago, well i went to light it the other day and the wick has sunk so low down the was that i cant get a lighter or match inside, if i did, i think the wick wouldnt have enough oxygen to last very long. how can i even up the levels of wax? could i microwave it to melt the wax around a new wick or could i bain marie it? as its in a glass jar im wary incase i smash the glass.

does anyone have any bright ideas?

ChocClare

Have you got a large darning needle or metal skewer? If so, could you heat it up, and then holding it with a pair of pliers or a potholder so you don't burn yourself, use it to melt a hole next to the wick in the candle? A knitting needle might be even better. Then maybe take the wick out of a tealight (take the metal bit off the back and pull or melt if you have to) and thread that down into the hole you've made. Hopefully you can then light that and then trim the excess wax as the heat from the wick softens it, until it's a proper height for you to get your original wick again.

laurel7172

Don't microwave unless you're sure there's no metal inside-there's usually a metal washer at the bottom of the wick. A bain marie will loosen the candle from its container. You can then try replacing the wick BUT once they've started to drown themselves with the melted wax, the same thing tends to happen again very quickly. Try to level off the top of the candle by whatever combination of melting and shaving suits you, so the new wick has a clean start.

Penelope_Penguin

tudorfan22 wrote: »

how can i even up the levels of wax?

Use a pointy knife to excavate a conical dip around the wick, then you'll be able to re-light the wick

Penny. x

valk_scot

Well, you could melt the wax enough to get the whole thing out by putting it in a bain mairie, yup. Then you could use a wider, shallower bowl or glass (I would be inclined to avoid more glass, unless it has held a candle before), melt down the wax properly in an improvised double boiler and reuse the remaining wick length to recreate a new candle. I used to make candles back in the 70's and it's not difficult, though you do need a double saucepan. Improvise with a clean tin inside a pot of simmering water but don't let steam get into the wax.

culpepper

you could push a match into the top and light it and wait for it to burn down and soften the candle wax so you can hook the wick up with a pin and light it.

Shereen

When that happens with my large jar candles I shave the wax out as needed and melt it in a wax tart burner to get the fragrance into the air.

Kiwisaver_2

If you have a heat gun type of paint stripper, just lightly heat the top to melt the wax until you can see the wick, you should then be able to lift the wick with the end of a knife.