When it comes to making the perfect candle, choosing the right wick is just as important as selecting the wax and fragrance. The wick is the heart of your candle—it affects how the candle burns, how long it lasts, and how much scent it throws into the room. If you’re looking to create a clean-burning, long-lasting candle, understanding how to choose the right wick can make all the difference.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the factors that matter most when selecting a wick and help you make the best decision for your candle creations.
1. Why the Wick Matters
The wick is responsible for drawing up the melted wax (the fuel) to feed the flame. If the wick is too small, your candle may tunnel (where only the center melts, leaving wax around the edges). If it’s too large, the candle could burn too fast, wasting wax and producing excessive soot or smoke. The right wick size ensures an even melt pool, optimal scent throw, and a longer-lasting burn.
2. Types of Candle Wicks
There are various types of wicks, each designed for different kinds of candles. Here are the most common types you’ll encounter:
• Cotton Wicks: Made from braided, woven, or twisted cotton fibers, these wicks are eco-friendly and produce a clean, even burn. They work well for natural waxes like soy or beeswax. Cotton wicks are a great choice if you want to avoid harmful chemicals and stick to non-toxic options.
• Wood Wicks: Known for their crackling sound, wood wicks offer a unique experience, making them popular for creating a cozy ambiance. They work best in candles with higher melt temperatures, like soy or beeswax, but they require more attention during the burn to ensure an even melt pool.
• Hemp Wicks: These are natural and biodegradable, often used in eco-friendly or natural candles. Hemp wicks burn slower and are ideal for small, hand-poured candles.
• Zinc and Paper Core Wicks: These wicks have a metal or paper core that helps them stay upright. They’re great for container candles, but the metal core may not align with eco-conscious or non-toxic brands.
3. Wick Sizing and How to Choose
The size of the wick is determined by the diameter of your candle. Here’s why it matters: the wider your candle, the larger your wick needs to be to ensure an even burn. Here’s a general guide for choosing wick sizes:
• Small candles (up to 2 inches in diameter): Use smaller wicks like an ECO 2 or CD 2.
• Medium candles (2–3 inches in diameter): Opt for mid-range wicks like ECO 8 or CD 6.
• Large candles (3 inches or larger): Choose a larger wick, such as ECO 12 or CD 12, to create an even melt pool across the wider surface.
Make sure to test different wick sizes in the actual wax and container you plan to use. Testing is crucial because some fragrances or dyes can affect how the wick burns.
4. Wax Type and Wick Compatibility
Your choice of wax also influences what type of wick to use. For instance:
• Soy Wax: Soy burns slower, so it typically needs a larger wick to maintain a good melt pool. Cotton or wood wicks are popular choices for soy candles.
• Paraffin Wax: This wax burns faster and requires a smaller wick than soy. However, be mindful of the chemicals in paraffin if you’re aiming for a non-toxic candle.
• Beeswax: Beeswax burns very hot, so it needs a smaller wick compared to soy or paraffin to prevent excessive flame size. Cotton or hemp wicks are good choices for beeswax candles.
5. Fragrance Load and Wick Performance
Heavily scented candles often require a thicker wick to ensure the wax melts evenly and releases fragrance into the air. If your candle contains a lot of fragrance oil, consider going up a size in your wick to avoid issues like tunneling or poor scent throw.
6. Testing Is Key
Once you’ve selected a wick, test your candle by burning it for a few hours and observing the melt pool. A good candle will have an even pool of melted wax across the entire surface within 2-4 hours of lighting. If it tunnels or burns too fast, you may need to adjust your wick size.
Tips for Wick Testing:
• Let the candle burn for at least two hours to see how the wick performs.
• Look for an even melt pool that reaches the edges of the container.
• Monitor the flame size; if it’s too large or too small, you may need a different wick.
7. Final Thoughts
Choosing the right wick can be the difference between a candle that burns beautifully and one that disappoints. By considering your wax type, container size, and fragrance load, you’ll be able to pick the perfect wick to ensure your candle offers optimal performance and a pleasant experience every time.
At Vibe & Glo Candle Studio, we believe that every detail matters in creating the perfect clean-burning, eco-friendly candle. That’s why we prioritize quality wicks to ensure our candles burn evenly, last longer, and promote wellness in your home. Whether you’re creating your own candles or shopping for the best, now you know the importance of the wick!
Happy candle-making (and burning)!