What Are Wick Clips For?

Wick clips are small metal fasteners that attach to the wick of a candle to keep it upright and centered as the candle burns. They are most commonly used with container candles, pillar candles, and votives to ensure proper wax pooling and an even burn. Wick clips serve an important functional purpose in candle making and use.

As candles melt and burn down, the wick has a tendency to move around or fall over, especially in wider containers. This can lead to uneven melting, tunneling, and inefficient burning. Properly centering the wick prevents these issues. The wick clip anchors the wick in place so it remains straight, allowing for the ideal melt pool and flame.

Wick clips are compatible with most standard candle jars, cups, and holders. They can be used with wax, soy, paraffin, or blended candle varieties. The clips attach via a metal tab or prong that pierces the base of the wick from below. Different styles work with different candle holder bottoms. Wick clips help candles burn properly from the first light until the last.

Purpose of Wick Clips

Wick clips serve several important purposes for candles. Most importantly, they help prevent excess wax drippage down the sides of candles. As the candle burns, the clip holds the wick upright and in place, keeping melted wax pooled at the top rather than running down the sides. This helps the candle burn more efficiently and minimizes messy drips.

Additionally, wick clips aid in extinguishing candles. Pinching the wick between the metal clip cuts off the flame’s oxygen supply. The wick stops burning almost instantly when “pinched” by the clip. This allows for easy snuffing out of candles in between uses.

Lastly, wick clips keep wicks centered and upright as the candle burns. The weight of the metal clip anchors the wick in place so it burns straight up without leaning or falling over. This helps the candle maintain an even burn and prevents tunneling.

Types of Wick Clips

There are several common types of wick clips available:

Metal Clips

Metal clips are usually made from steel or aluminum. They have a strong spring mechanism to tightly grip the wick. Stainless steel clips are durable and resist rust. Metal clips can withstand high heat.

Plastic Clips

Plastic clips are inexpensive but may not last as long. High temperature plastic can resist heat better. Plastic clips come in many colors.

Binder Clip Style

These function like an office binder clip. They have rigid handles that press together to squeeze the wick. The long handles allow keeping hands away from flames.

Butterfly Clips

Butterfly clips have a spring-loaded clamp operated by pinch handles. Releasing the handles causes the clamp to squeeze shut on the wick.

Alligator Clip Style

Alligator clips resemble the shape of an alligator’s mouth. They have ridged jaws that press together to grip firmly.

Using Wick Clips Properly

To use wick clips properly and safely, follow these guidelines:

• Attach the clip securely to the edge of the candle. Position it so the bottom hooks grab onto the rim or lip of the container. Tighten so it stays in place but is not digging into the wax.
• Make sure you are using an appropriately sized wick clip. It should be wide enough to anchor the full width of the wick tab. An undersized clip can allow the wick to slip out.
• Attach the wick to the clip early, before melting the candle. Trying to add a clip once the candle is lit can be dangerous due to hot wax. The wick also needs to be straight and centered before lighting.
• Check the wick occasionally as the candle burns down. Readjust or tighten the clip if needed to keep the wick upright and taut.
• Take care when trimming the wick, not to cut or damage the wick clip.

Following these best practices for attaching and positioning the wick clip will result in proper candle burning and minimize safety risks.

Candle Holders Compatible with Clips

Wick clips can be used with a variety of candle holders and candle types. Some of the most common candle holders and candles that work well with wick clips include:

Votive Candles

Votive candles are small, cylindrical candles that are approximately 1-2 inches tall. They come in glass containers meant to catch melting wax. Wick clips slide over the top rim of votive holders and keep the wick upright and centered while the candle burns.

Taper Candles

Slender, tall taper candles also benefit from wick clips. The clips slide onto the top edge of taper candle holders, anchoring the wick in place so it burns slower and more evenly down the center of the candle.

Pillar Candles

Pillar candles have a wider diameter than tapers, but also burn down vertically. Wick clips help center and stabilize pillar candle wicks by clipping onto the candle rim or holder edge.

Hurricane Lamps

Hurricane lamps feature a glass chimney that surrounds a candle to protect its flame. Wick clips hold hurricane candle wicks upright inside the chimney so they burn properly without going out.

Candle Lanterns

Candle lanterns enclose a candle in glass panels. The wick clip secures onto the top edge of the lantern, keeping the wick centered and in position for even burning.

Safety Considerations

When using candle wick clips, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Here are some tips for staying safe with wick clips:

Don’t leave burning candles unattended. Always keep a close eye on candles, whether they have a wick clip or not. Never leave a lit candle unattended.

Check for secure clip placement. Before lighting the candle, check that the wick clip is tightly secured around the wick. This will prevent the clip from slipping off when the candle is lit. Make sure no part of the wick is exposed above the clip.

Use on a stable, level surface. Only use candles and wick clips on an appropriate surface that won’t tilt or tip over. Don’t put them near anything flammable.

Keep out of reach of children and pets. Candles and wick clips can pose a burn risk, so keep them somewhere safe where kids and animals can’t access them.

Extinguish properly. Allow the candle to completely cool before removing the clip. Never blow out a candle with a wick clip on.

Maintenance and Reuse

Properly maintaining and reusing wick clips will extend their lifespan. Here are some tips for cleaning and storing wick clips:

Clean Soot Buildup

Over time, wick clips can accumulate soot and wax buildup from candle burning. To clean, use rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Gently scrub the clip with a small brush or toothpick to remove residue.

Store Carefully

When not in use, store wick clips in a dry, room temperature place so they don’t get bent or damaged. Keep them away from heat sources and flames.

Replace Loose or Rusted Clips

Inspect clips periodically and replace any that are cracked, bent, loose or rusted. Old clips may not hold wicks properly and can become a fire hazard.

With proper maintenance and storage, wick clips can be reused many times. Replace them when they show signs of damage or are no longer effective at holding the wick upright.

Buying Guide

When shopping for wick clips, there are several factors to consider:

Material

Wick clips are commonly made from metal or plastic. Metal clips like brass and zinc are more durable, retain heat better, and can have a more decorative look. Plastic clips are cheaper but may be more prone to warping from heat exposure.

Size Range

Clips come in a range of sizes to accommodate different candle wick thicknesses. Most measure 1-5mm in diameter. Measure your wick first to ensure a proper fit. Too tight of a clip can cut off wick flow while too loose may not anchor properly.

Design

Look for a clip design with adjustable tension to grip the wick snugly. Clips that completely encircle the wick tend to hold better than open-ended styles. Some have decorative etched patterns or shapes.

Price

Plastic clips can cost as little as $1 for a pack of 100 while brass clips are around $7-10 for a set of 12. Buying in bulk brings down the per-unit price. Prioritize quality over cost for optimal performance.

Buying in Bulk

For avid candle makers or commercial use, bulk packs of 100-500 clips can be very economical. Make sure to get a count that matches your production volume so there are always enough clips on hand.

Popular Brands

When it comes to wick clips, there are a few major brands that stand out for their quality and popularity:

Yankee Candle

As the largest manufacturer of scented candles in the United States, Yankee Candle offers a wide selection of metal wick clips for use with their candles. Their clips feature a classic design with two crossed metal pieces that hug the wick to keep it straight and centered as the candle burns down. Yankee Candle wick clips work seamlessly with their candles and jar styles.

Crafty Candle

For those who make their own candles at home, Crafty Candle is a top supplier of candle making materials including wick clips. They sell sturdy metal cross-style clips in various sizes to accommodate different width candles and wicks. Crafty Candle clips allow DIY candle makers to achieve professional results.

Beacon Candle

Beacon Candle produces a patented style of wick clip that uses a coil of metal to surround the wick for a unique look. Their clips screw into the base of the candle holder and the wick fits down through the metal coil to keep it centered. The spring-style coil allows the wick to move up and down while keeping it straight. Beacon Candle clips work well for taper candles.

Alternatives to Wick Clips

While wick clips are a popular tool for managing candle wicks, there are some alternatives that can also help control wick length and prevent issues like tunneling:

Trimming Wicks

One of the simplest alternatives is to trim your wick before each use. Using scissors or nail clippers, carefully snip the wick to 1⁄4” length. This removes any excess wick and carbon buildup. Trimming ensures an even burn and reduces issues like tunneling. However, it requires vigilant maintenance before each use.

Candle Sleeves

Candle sleeves are metal or glass covers that fit over the top of a burning candle. The enclosed space concentrates heat and melts wax pools more evenly. This can help prevent tunneling. However, sleeves can cause some candles to burn too hot and must be used carefully.

Tin Can Shims

Cutting strips of tin cans to use as wick centering devices is an old candle-making trick. The metal shims conduct heat and keep wicks straight and centered as candles burn. While homemade, tin shims can work as well or better than commercial wick clips.

With some care and testing, alternatives like trimming, sleeves, and shims can produce similar benefits to wick clips for controlling wick issues. Clips remain popular for their simplicity, but are not the only option for better candle performance.