Why is a full melt pool important?

A full melt pool (edge to edge) on the first burn prevents tunnelling. If the wax does not melt to the edges, it creates a memory ring that limits future burns. This is called candle memory.

How deep should the melt pool be?

Ideally 6-12 mm deep. Too shallow means poor scent throw. Too deep means the wick may drown or the container could overheat.

Tunnelling occurs when the melt pool does not reach the container edges, leaving a ring of unmelted wax. It is caused by using too small a wick or not burning long enough on the first use.

CraftCalcs

Melt Pool Calculator — Candle Melt Pool Size

Estimate melt pool diameter and depth for proper candle performance.

Container Diameter

Container Height

Number of Wicks

How We Calculate This

A properly performing candle should achieve a full melt pool (melted wax reaching the container edges) within 2-4 hours of burning.

The ideal melt pool depth is 6-12 mm. This provides good scent throw without overheating the container.

Time to full melt pool is approximately 1 hour per 25 mm of container diameter for a single wick. Multiple wicks reduce this time proportionally.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: 2025-02-20

All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before purchasing materials.