Appearance
Sinkholes form around the wick after pour
Sinkholes are pockets of air formed when the outer skin of wax sets before the centre contracts. Common in soy and coconut blends when poured too hot or cooled too fast.
Written by Maya Holloway
Likely causes
- Pour temperature too high for the wax.
- Vessel was cold, causing the outer wax to skin instantly.
- Ambient temperature swing during cure (e.g. cold draft).
How to diagnose
- Cut a candle in half after full cure and inspect the cross-section.
- Note the pour temperature against the wax's manufacturer-recommended range.
What to change next batch
- 01
Pour 5°C cooler and pre-warm vessels in a 50°C oven for 10 minutes.
- 02
Use a heat gun on a low setting to re-melt the top and let it self-level.
- 03
Pour in two stages: an 80% main pour, then a top-off pour at the same temperature once the candle has set.
Related symptoms
- Rough or grainy tops after cure
Surface looks pitted, not glassy.
- Candle surface cracks after cure
Hairline or wide cracks across the top.