Why Do Some Candles Melt So Fast? 5 Reasons and How to Fix It

You’ve just lit a beautiful candle, expecting hours of cozy glow... but within an hour, half of it is gone. Sound familiar? If your candles seem to melt way too fast, you’re not alone. There are a few key reasons why this happens, and in most cases, it has nothing to do with you - it’s all about the materials and how the candle was made.

Let’s explore what causes candles to burn quickly, how to tell if your candle is high quality, and what you can do to make it last longer.

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1. The Type of Wax Matters

Not all waxes burn at the same speed. Some are naturally softer or have a lower melting point, which means they liquefy and burn faster. Here’s how different waxes compare:

• Paraffin wax - cheap and common, but burns quickly and can release more soot

• Soy wax - plant-based, slow-burning and clean with good scent throw

• Coconut wax - creamy and luxurious, but softer, so may burn faster if not blended well

• Beeswax - very hard with the longest burn time, but more expensive

• Olive wax - an exciting, eco-friendly option that combines great form stability with slow, clean burning

Olive wax is gaining popularity in natural candle making. It’s firmer than soy, which means it holds shape beautifully - ideal for sculptural and pillar candles. It burns slower than paraffin and coconut, often closer to beeswax in performance. When blended correctly, it gives an even, long-lasting burn and excellent scent throw, especially in container candles.

👉 At Phlame, we’re currently testing olive wax for upcoming designs. Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to try this new collection.

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2. The Wick Is Too Thick or Long

The wick controls how fast the wax melts. If the wick is too thick or hasn’t been trimmed before lighting, it pulls up too much wax and creates a big flame. This leads to:

• Rapid wax consumption

• Hotter burn that tunnels through the center

• Soot and black smoke

What to do:
Always trim the wick to about 5 mm before each burn. This helps regulate the flame and extends the candle’s life.

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3. The Candle Is in the Wrong Environment

Heat affects how a candle behaves. If you’re burning it in a warm room, near direct sunlight, or next to a heater, the wax may soften and melt faster than normal.

Also, drafts from windows or fans can cause uneven burning or make the flame dance, which leads to wasted wax and shorter burn times.

Try this instead:
Place your candle on a stable, cool surface, away from windows, vents or direct sunlight. Keep the room temperature moderate.

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4. You Didn’t Let It Burn Long Enough the First Time

Blowing out a candle too soon on the first use can lead to tunnelling - when only a small circle of wax (pool) around the wick melts, and the rest stays stuck to the sides. This not only wastes wax but also causes the candle to burn down much faster.

Quick tip:
Always allow the wax pool to reach the edges of the jar during the first burn. Depending on the size, this usually takes 2 to 4 hours. It creates a full “melt memory,” helping your candle burn evenly every time after.

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5. Poor Quality Materials

Sometimes, candles melt fast simply because they’re made cheaply. Poor-quality wax, fragrance overload, synthetic additives or unbalanced wick sizes can all cause fast, uneven burning.

If a candle smells strong at first but tunnels, smokes or melts unevenly, it’s probably made for looks, not performance.

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How to Make Your Candle Last Longer

• Choose candles made with soy wax, olive wax or high-quality blends

• Trim the wick every time before lighting

• Let it burn long enough to create an even melt pool

• Keep it away from heat sources and drafts

• Use a lid or snuffer to extinguish the flame instead of blowing it out

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Why Phlame Candles Burn Better

At Phlame, we use natural soy wax, cotton wicks and carefully tested fragrance blends to create a slower, cleaner burn. Each candle is poured by hand and designed for balance - so you get long-lasting scent and light without waste.

🕯 Explore our full collection of handcrafted candles at phlame.uk and see the difference for yourself.