The Only Candle Wick Guide You’ll Ever Need
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8 min
If you’ve watched a candle flicker and felt its warm glow wrap around you, you know the magic a well-crafted candle brings. However, a crucial element often overlooked is the wick! Choosing the right wick may seem minor, but it’s the unsung hero that affects your candle's performance.
In this Wick Guide, we’ll explore the types of wicks, their properties, and how they impact burning time, scent throw, and overall efficiency. Don't forget to check out our brand new Wick Picker at the end of the blog; it makes picking the correct size wick as easy as 1-2-3! Whether you’re a seasoned candlemaker or new to the craft, understanding wicks is essential for enhancing your candle-making skills. Get ready to ignite your creativity!
Table Of Contents
The Importance of Wick Selection in Candle Making Factors to Consider When Choosing a Wick How Wick Size Affects Candle Performance Matching Wicks with Different Wax Types The Role of Fragrance and Dye in Wick Choice Testing and Adjusting Wicks for Optimal Burn Wick Guide Chart Burn Diameter – Let’s Break It Down Double Wicking - Is It Double Trouble? Wooden Wicks ✨Wick Picker✨ Conclusion: Mastering Wick Selection for Perfect Candles Related readings
The Importance of Wick Selection in Candle Making
The wick is truly the heart of the candle, and choosing the right one impacts every delightful aspect of how your candle performs. If the wick isn't just right, you might end up with a candle that burns too fast, tunnels, or creates too much soot, which can really take away from the enjoyment of your candle.
When choosing the right wick, there are a few important factors to consider. Let's delve into our Wick Guide together!
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Wick
When it comes to choosing the perfect wick, there are a few important factors to keep in mind for the best candle performance! No Wick Guide would be complete without addressing the below crucial factors:
Size of the wick
Type of wax
Additives to the candle – fragrance and dye play a role!
How Wick Size Affects Candle Performance
When the wick is just the right size, it helps the candle burn evenly and efficiently, giving you the best experience possible. If the wick is too small, though, the candle might tunnel —this means that only a little bit of the wax around the wick melts, leaving a lot of unmelted wax around the edges. Not only does this waste wax, but it also cuts down on the total burn time of the candle!
On the other hand, if the wick is too large, it can create a flame that’s much too high, which isn't safe. An oversized wick can also lead to mushrooming*, this is where a carbon deposit forms at the tip of the wick, causing the candle to burn unevenly and produce a poor scent throw.
- *Trimming the wick to 1/4 inch before each burn can help reduce mushrooming. If the problem continues, consider using a smaller wick.
Matching Wicks with Different Wax Types
Different wax types have unique properties that affect their burning, so it’s essential to match the wick to the wax for optimal performance. Paraffin wax, commonly used, has a low melting point and burns cleanly with various wick sizes, making it a popular choice for beginners and experienced candlemakers.
Soy wax, a natural alternative to paraffin, has a lower melting point and slower burn rate, requiring a wick that creates a large melt pool and maintains a low, steady flame. Cotton and wooden wicks are ideal for soy candles, providing a consistent burn and complementing the wax's properties.
The Role of Fragrance and Dye in Wick Choice
Fragrance and dye play a crucial role in candles, affecting both sensory experience and burn performance. Adding fragrance oil can alter the wax's properties, making it denser, which influences wick performance and flame stability.
Heavily scented candles may require larger wicks for optimal burning and scent distribution.
Dyes also affect burn characteristics; some can clog wicks, causing uneven flames. Testing different dyes with your wick is essential for performance.
Testing and Adjusting Wicks for Optimal Burn
Testing and adjusting wicks is crucial for optimal candle burn performance. The goal is an even burn, steady flame, and maximum scent throw.
Select a wick size recommended for your wax type and candle diameter. Make a small batch and observe their burn over several hours. Note issues like tunnelling, excessive soot, weak flame, or mushrooming.
Testing different wick sizes and types with your wax, fragrance, and dye is essential for finding the right balance. Always keep notes of your testing!
Wick Guide Chart
Often the best place to start in determining the correct size wick to use is by consulting a wick size chart. Lucky for you, we have included our own Wick Guide below!
Burn Diameter – Let’s Break It Down
What is burn diameter?
The burn diameter of a candle refers to the width of the melt pool that forms around the wick during burning, indicating how evenly the candle is burning.
What is the burn diameter in a fragranced container wax?
This is the burn diameter in wax used in a candle (container) that has had fragrance oil added to it.
Why is the burn diameter in fragranced container wax larger?
Wick testing involves placing wicks in a large slab of unscented wax, not in a container. Consequently, the burn diameter will be smaller than when burning in a tin or glass, where heat is reflected back, creating a larger burn diameter. Additionally, adding fragrance oil makes the wax burn hotter. Generally, the burn diameter in a candle is about 10-12mm larger than stated in the guide.
In summary, when deciding on the size of wick to use, always refer to the melt diameter of the container. If this is not specified, add 10-12mm to the diameter. This is why it is so important to test several different-sized wicks to determine which works best for you!
Double Wicking - Is It Double Trouble?
Ever wondered what to do when your candle is too big for one wick? Double wicking is a great solution! It creates a larger burn pool and ensures the wax melts evenly in larger containers. Here are situations where double wicking is helpful:
Large Diameter Candles: When your candle is wide, a single wick might not produce enough heat to melt the wax evenly across the surface, which can cause tunnelling.
High Fragrance Load: If your candle has a lot of fragrance oil, it may need more heat to properly spread the scent, making additional wicks necessary.
Thick Wax: Some types of wax have a higher melting point and might require extra wicks to produce enough heat. Let's get those candles burning beautifully!
So, How Does One Double Wick?
- Measure the diameter of the container you’ll be using. Divide this diameter in half. For example, a 30cl jar has a diameter of 77mm, so half of this would be 38.5mm.
- Check our wick guide above to see what wick size is best suited for half the diameter of the candle. Don’t forget to check the correct column depending on whether you’re using fragrance or not!
A candle divided down the middle into two sections.
3. Once you have determined the correct wick to use, secure the wicks at an equal distance from each other and the edges of the jar, as shown in the diagram. Use one of our adjustable wick holders to keep them in place.
4. Pour your candle and wait for it to cool and cure before lighting and enjoying! Bear in mind that multi-wicking often takes some time to perfect, so a few attempts may be necessary before you figure out what works best for you.
Confused? Check out our Double Wick Guide video below!
The two distinct burn diameters. Coupled with the heat reflected back from the edges of the container, this forms an even melt pool for the candle.
Wooden Wicks
Wooden wicks offer several unique benefits for candle making, making them a popular choice among crafters and candle enthusiasts. Here are some key advantages:
- Unique Aesthetic: Wooden wicks offer a charming rustic and stylish look, contributing a delightful decorative touch to your candle.
- Crackling Sound: When you light them, wooden wicks create a soothing crackling sound that reminds you of a cosy fireplace, enhancing the atmosphere of your space.
- Eco-Friendly: Many wooden wicks are crafted from sustainable sources, making them a wonderful choice for the environmentally conscious.
How To Use Wooden Wicks?
The same principles apply with wooden wicks as with cotton wicks! The main thing is to make sure you’re using the correct size wick and that it is secured in the centre of the candle. Have a look at our Wooden Wick Guide below:
✨Wick Picker✨
Ok, so to make things even easier, we've actually created our very own Wick Picker - your best bud when it comes to selecting the right wick for your candles!
Simply select the diameter of your candle jar and what wax you're working with, then BOOM, our Wick Picker will show you the best wick to use! It couldn't be easier! Paired with the Wick Guide Chart, you'll be a wick-picking wonder!
Conclusion: Mastering Wick Selection for Perfect Candles
Choosing the right wick is essential for making beautiful, high-quality candles that burn evenly. It’s crucial to understand the types and materials of wicks and their compatibility with different waxes, fragrances, and dyes.
By considering the type of wax, candle size, and fragrance strength, you can make informed choices that improve your candle-making experience. Even with this ultimate Wick Guide, remember wick testing can take a while to perfect, so patience is key in the pursuit of finding your perfect wick!
NI Candle Supplies specialises in high-quality candle-making materials, offering a diverse range of waxes, wicks, and fragrances. Committed to inspiring creativity, we provide resources for beginners and seasoned artisans. Our mission is to empower candle makers with quality products and expert guidance, fostering a vibrant community of enthusiasts who share a passion for craftsmanship and creativity.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How best to wick beeswax?
Wicking beeswax can be a bit tricky! The time, location, and method of extraction all play a role in how well it performs in candles. With so many variations, it can be challenging to give precise wick recommendations.
Because beeswax has a higher melting point and often needs thicker or multiple wicks for a nice, even burn, square braided cotton wicks are usually recommended. They’re great for handling the density of the wax!
I'm still not sure which wick is best for me, have you any more resources to help me pick?
Not to worry, it may seem like a trivial thing but picking the correct wick is one of the most important factors in candle making!
We're happy to announce we now have a wick quiz available on our website to make it even easier to choose the correct wick size for you!
Related readings
Mastered our Wick Guide? Looking for some wicks? We got you!
