Tyler Brooks
Choosing the right wick for your candle is crucial to ensuring it burns optimally, with a strong scent and minimal toxins. The selection process involves several factors, including the diameter of the candle, the amount of fragrance or colour, the type of wax, and the burn time. The choice of wick affects the strength of the scent, the cleanliness of the burn, and the overall burning experience. For example, a thicker wick is recommended for candles with more fragrance or colour, while a thinner wick is preferable for waxes with longer burn times, such as soy wax. Different types of wicks, such as cotton, wooden, or zinc-core wicks, also play a role in determining the optimal burning characteristics of a candle. Ultimately, finding the right wick for your candle may require patience and dedication, as testing various options is often necessary to achieve the desired results.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Candle diameter | The first step in choosing a wick is to measure the diameter of the candle |
| Wick material | Wicks can be made of hemp, cotton, zinc, tin, wood, or a combination of these |
| Wick type | Wicks can be flat, knitted, square, or braided |
| Wax type | Different waxes have different melting points and densities, which influence the recommended wick type |
| Fragrance and colour load | The amount of fragrance and colour added to the candle will determine the thickness of the wick |
| Burn time | The burn time of the wax will determine the thickness of the wick |
| Wick size | The wick should be sized appropriately to the candle to ensure optimal burning |
| Wick coating | Wicks can be coated with a high-melt-point wax to add structure and make them easier to light |
| Carbon buildup | Some wicks are designed to reduce carbon buildup, which can lead to excessive smoke and self-extinguishing |
| Clean burning | Some wicks are designed to burn cleanly with minimal soot and smoke |
| Self-trimming | Some wicks are designed to be self-trimming, reducing the need for manual trimming |
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What You'll Learn
Candle diameter and number of wicks
The diameter of a candle is one of the most important factors in choosing the right wick. The general rule is that smaller candles need smaller wicks, and larger candles need larger wicks.
If the wick is too small, the candle may develop 'tunnelling', where the flame burns down the centre, leaving excess wax on the sides. The wick may also become 'drowned' by the melted wax. Conversely, if the wick is too large, the wax may melt too quickly, causing the wick to ''mushroom' (a build-up of carbon on the wick that resembles a mushroom), and creating excess smoke and soot.
For container candles, the wick size should be chosen based on the diameter of the container. For example, ECO wicks are suitable for containers up to 3 ¼” in diameter, while LX wicks are suitable for containers up to 7 inches tall.
For larger candles with a diameter of 4" or more, double wicking is often recommended to ensure a full burn pool. In this case, it is advisable to choose a wick designed for half the candle's diameter and begin testing with two of that size. For example, a 5" diameter candle with double wicks would start testing with a wick size meant for a 2.5" diameter candle.
It is important to note that the choice of wick also depends on other factors such as wax type, fragrance load, dye type, and burn time. Testing is crucial to determine the best wick for each candle project, as there are many variables that can affect the candle's burning characteristics.
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Wax type, fragrance and colour
When it comes to candle-making, the wax type, fragrance, colour, and wick must all be carefully considered to ensure a good burn.
Wax Type
The type of wax you choose will depend on the type of candle you want to make, your budget, and how eco-friendly you want your candle to be. Paraffin wax is the most common and least expensive type of candle wax. It holds fragrance and colour well, and is available in various melting points, making it versatile. However, it is derived from the oil industry and tends to produce more soot. Soy wax is a popular alternative, but it can be temperamental with temperature changes and holds less fragrance. Coconut wax is a newer option that is becoming increasingly popular due to its sustainability, clean burn, and ability to hold fragrance and colour. Beeswax is a natural, harder wax that is perfect for pillar candles and has a subtly sweet scent, but it is not vegan.
Fragrance
The type and amount of fragrance you use will impact the wick you choose. A higher fragrance load may require a thicker wick. Some fragrances may also change the texture of the wax, making it softer. It is important to consider the strength of the fragrance and how it will affect the overall experience of the candle.
Colour
The amount of colourant or dye you use will also influence the thickness of the wick. It is recommended to use small amounts or no dye at all, as too much colour can interfere with the burn.
When choosing the right wick, it is important to consider the wax type, fragrance, colour, and container size. The wick should be thick enough to draw the right amount of wax to produce a smooth, clean burn without excessive flickering or soot. Testing different wicks with your chosen wax, fragrance, and colour is the best way to find the right combination.
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Burn time and wax melting point
The burn time of a candle is influenced by several factors, including the type of wax, fragrance load, dye type, container diameter, and most importantly, the size and type of wick.
Wicks play a crucial role in determining the burn time of a candle. If the wick is too small, the candle may tunnel, leaving behind unburned wax on the sides, resulting in wax wastage. This can also lead to a "drowned wick," where the melted wax covers the wick. On the other hand, if the wick is too large, it will cause the wax to melt too quickly, providing too much fuel for the flame. This can lead to excessive smoke, carbon buildup (mushrooming), and an unsafe burning experience. Therefore, choosing the right size of wick is essential to maximise burn time and minimise wax wastage.
The type of wick also affects burn time. Cotton wicks, for example, are commonly used and are designed to draw up melted wax from the pool to feed the flame. They can be flat-braided or square-braided. Flat-braided wicks curl as they burn, ensuring the tip of the wick is burned away, making them self-trimming. Square-braided wicks have an open construction that allows more wax to travel through, making them suitable for thicker waxes and larger container candles. Paper-core wicks or those interwoven with paper burn hotter, creating a larger melt pool. Wooden wicks are a newer option, offering the unique sound of a crackling fire, with soft wood wicks considered superior to hard wood wicks.
The wax melting point is another critical factor in candle burn time. Different types of wax have varying melting points. For example, vegetable waxes like coconut soy wax have a lower melting point of around 110°F, while other waxes may have slightly higher melting points, such as Goldenwax at approximately 113°F. When using paraffin wax, it is recommended to heat the wax by 5°C to 10°C more than its melting point to avoid "jump lines." Additionally, single-pour paraffin waxes and vegetable-based waxes often require larger wicks and may need to be "upsized" to achieve a proper melt pool.
To maximise burn time and ensure a safe burning experience, it is crucial to select the appropriate wick size and type for the specific wax and candle container. Consulting wick guides and performing burn tests are recommended to find the best match for your candle.
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Wick material and type
The wick is an important part of a candle, influencing the diffusion of scent, safety, and aesthetics. The type of wick you choose will determine how effectively your candle burns, how strong the scent throw is, and how much wax is left unused.
Wicks can be made from a variety of materials, including natural fibres like cotton, linen, silk, and hemp, as well as synthetic materials. Cotton is the most common material used for candle wicks. It is durable, easy to light, and can burn for hours without going out. Cotton wicks can be braided, knitted, or twisted, and may include a core of different materials like zinc, paper, or tin to provide rigidity and improve the burning experience. Braided cotton wicks can be designed to curl as they burn, ensuring the tip is burned away and reducing the need for trimming.
Linen wicks are similar to cotton wicks, offering sustainability and ease of use, but they are more aesthetically pleasing and resistant to deformation, making them ideal for scented candles. Silk wicks are also natural, durable, and resistant, but they are quite expensive due to their rarity. Synthetic silk is a more affordable alternative, but it is less environmentally friendly.
Wooden wicks have gained popularity for their unique visual aesthetic and the soft crackling sound they produce. They function similarly to cotton wicks, drawing melted wax to the flame, and are available in various shapes and materials, including 100% wood, semi-wood, fibrous material, or cotton and wood combinations.
Other types of wicks include hemp wicks, zinc-threaded wicks, tin-core wicks, and paper-cored wicks. Paper-cored wicks, such as the ECO series, are designed to reduce mushrooming, soot, and smoke, and are suitable for waxes with lower melting points.
The choice of wick material and type depends on various factors, including the candle's diameter, fragrance load, wax type, and burn time. For example, a candle with a high fragrance load may require a thicker wick, while a candle with a long burn time, like soy wax, may be better suited for a thinner wick.
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Testing different wicks
Sample Preparation:
Firstly, decide on the candle recipe, including the wax type, fragrance, colour, and container. For an accurate comparison, prepare multiple candles with the same recipe, varying only the wick type and size. For instance, you could create 3-5 candles each for ECO, HTP, and Premier wicks, as suggested by The Flaming Candle.
Testing Environment:
Place the candles in rooms with similar sizes and ventilation. This ensures a consistent environment for evaluating scent throw and burning behaviour.
Burn Testing:
Conduct multiple burn tests, aiming for at least 3-5 tests or until the candle burns down completely. Let the candles cure for at least 24 hours before testing. Cut the wicks to 1/4" before lighting them, and ensure each test burn lasts 2-4 hours, depending on the candle diameter.
Observation and Evaluation:
After each burn, observe and record detailed notes about the candle's performance. Check for the following:
- Melt Pool Formation: The ideal melt pool should reach the edge of the container and be approximately 1/4" to 1/2" deep within 1 hour for each inch of candle diameter. A wick that's too small will fail to create a full melt pool, tunnelling down the centre, while an oversized wick will result in a very large flame and excessive smoke and soot.
- Flickering: The flame should be steady and still, with minimal flickering.
- Clean Burning: Look for signs of carbon buildup, also known as "mushrooming," soot, or excessive smoke. A clean-burning wick will have minimal to no carbon buildup and produce less smoke.
- Scent Throw: Evaluate the strength of the fragrance in the room. A good starting point for fragrance load is 6%, which can be adjusted up to 9% for a stronger aroma.
Decision-Making:
After conducting the burn tests and making observations, choose the wick that performed the best overall. Consider which wick provided the most stable flame, minimal carbon buildup, and optimal scent throw.
Remember, the choice of wick depends on various factors, including wax type, fragrance load, and container size. By conducting these tests, you can make an informed decision on which wick type and size is the perfect match for your candle creation.
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Frequently asked questions
The right candle wick size depends on the diameter of your candle. Divide the diameter by the number of wicks you intend to use. For example, if you have a 3" candle with 2 wicks, the answer would be 1.5" (3" ÷ 2). This number is your effective diameter. You can then use a wick chart to find the wick size that matches your series, wax, and effective diameter.
The amount of fragrance or colour you plan to add to the candle is an important consideration. The more colour or fragrance included, the thicker the wick should be. The type of wax is also important, as each wax type has a different melting point and density. Soy wax, for example, has a longer, slower burn time than paraffin wax, so a thinner wick may be best.
Candle wicks can be made from a variety of materials, including hemp, cotton, zinc, tin, and wood. Wicks that are made from fibre can be flat, knitted, square, or braided. Wicks with cores are usually braided or knitted and have a rigid material running through the centre to keep the wick upright.
