Are Wood Wicks Better For Soy Candles?

Soy candles have become increasingly popular over the years as a natural and eco-friendly alternative to traditional paraffin wax candles. Many candle makers and enthusiasts prefer using soy wax because it is made from sustainable soybeans, biodegradable, and does not release harmful chemicals into the air when burned. For soy candle makers, choosing the right wick is crucial to ensure proper burning and an optimal experience. Recently, there has been growing interest in using wood wicks in soy candles rather than the typical cotton wicks.

The purpose of this article is to evaluate whether wood wicks are actually better suited for soy candles compared to traditional wicks. We will examine the unique properties and benefits of both wood wicks and soy wax. Key factors like scent throw, burn time, wax pooling, and crackling will be analyzed. By the end, you should have a clear understanding of which wick type pairs best with soy candles. This will empower you to make the optimal wicking choice for your specific soy candle needs.

What Are Wood Wicks?

Wood wicks are made from natural wood fibers or sawdust that are compressed together to form a wick. The wood fibers provide a wooden, crackling effect when lit, which some find more aesthetically pleasing compared to standard cotton wicks. Wood wicks are often constructed with a cotton core in the center, then wrapped tightly with wood fibers on the exterior. This cotton core allows the wick to bend and be shaped as needed.

There are a few key advantages of wood wicks: they make a pleasant crackling sound when burning, produce less soot and smoke thanks to efficient combustion, and don’t release any toxic chemicals. Wood wicks provide an inviting ambiance for many candle enthusiasts.

The wood fibers used are often birch, maple, oak, cherry, rosewood, and balsa [1]. Balsa is a popular choice as it is soft and affordable. The exact wood material can impact the intensity of the crackling sound. Craft candle makers have a variety of wood wick options to choose from when formulating their perfect candle.

Benefits of Wood Wicks

Wood wicks have some key benefits that make them popular for candles. One major benefit is the pleasant crackling sound they make as they burn. The wood grain in the wick creates pockets of air that pop and crackle as the wax around the wick melts (Jackson Essentials, 2022). This creates a soothing, natural crackling fire sound that adds to the candle’s ambience. The unique auditory experience is a signature characteristic of wood wicks that many candle enthusiasts enjoy.

Another benefit of wood wicks is that their wooden composition allows them to burn cleaner and more slowly than cotton wicks. As referenced by Suffolk Candles (2022), wood wicks produce less soot and minimal carbon build up as they burn. Their slow burn prevents tunneling, allowing even wax pooling. So wood wicks not only provide a better burn, but also help preserve the look and integrity of the candle.

Challenges of Wood Wicks

While wood wicks have many benefits, they also come with some challenges that candle makers should be aware of. One of the main issues with wood wicks is a phenomenon called tunneling, where the wax melts unevenly around the wick, creating a tunnel shape. This is caused by the wood wick not maintaining a large enough flame to melt the wax evenly across the top of the candle. Tunneling results in wasted wax and an uneven burn.

Wood wicks can also negatively impact the candle’s burn pool, which is the liquid wax pool created as the candle burns. Wood wicks tend to create a smaller burn pool versus standard cotton wicks since their flame is concentrated in one area. This may prevent the candle from pooling out fully to the edges, again resulting in unused wax. A too-small burn pool is one of the top complaints from candle makers using wood wicks.

While many customers love the crackling sound of wood wicks, some find the noise bothersome, especially in a quiet setting. The crackling can be loud enough to disrupt relaxation or sleep. This may limit when and where certain customers want to burn wood-wick candles.

There are some techniques to help mitigate issues like tunneling with wood wicks. Many experts recommend using a larger diameter wick paired with the wood core to increase the flame size. Wood wick size and pairings should be carefully tested to find the right balance for each type of wax and fragrance oil. With experience and testing, many of the potential downsides of wood wicks can be avoided.

What Are Soy Candles?

Soy candles are made from soy wax, which is an alternative to paraffin wax commonly used in traditional candles. Soy wax is made from hydrogenated soybean oil. It was first developed and patented in the 1990s as a renewable and environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based paraffin wax (Nudmuses).

Compared to paraffin wax, soy wax has several advantages. It’s made from a renewable resource – soybeans – rather than non-renewable crude oil. Soy wax also burns cleaner, with very little soot, and has no petroleum by-products. Additionally, soy candles have a lower melting point so the fragrance throws better. Many candle makers and buyers feel soy wax has a more appealing natural aroma as well (Etsy).

Benefits of Soy Candles

Soy candles offer several benefits that make them a popular choice over paraffin wax candles. One of the main benefits is that soy wax is a natural, renewable resource that comes from soybeans. Soybeans are grown abundantly in the United States, making soy wax an eco-friendly, sustainable ingredient (716candleco.com).

Unlike paraffin wax which is a byproduct of petroleum, soy wax is biodegradable. Soy wax will break down in the environment when disposed of properly. Paraffin wax, on the other hand, takes hundreds of years to biodegrade (shadygrovecandles.com). The biodegradable nature of soy makes it better for the environment.

Furthermore, soy wax burns cleaner than paraffin wax. The natural cotton wick and soy wax combination produces very little soot or smoke. This makes soy candles ideal for people concerned about indoor air quality and health effects of breathing in candle emissions (calmmecompany.com).

Challenges of Soy Candles

One of the main challenges with soy candles is that they have a lower melting point compared to paraffin candles. Soy wax melts at a temperature between 115-135 degrees Fahrenheit, while paraffin wax melts at 130-145 degrees Fahrenheit (Lafco Candles).

This lower melting point means that soy candles are more prone to melting or losing their shape in hot environments. If the area where the soy candle is placed gets too warm, the wax can start to melt and the candle may lose its form.

The warmer melting point also means soy wax can be more difficult to work with. Extra care has to be taken when pouring soy wax into containers and molds so that the wax doesn’t melt too quickly before it sets.

Overall, crafters have to be more careful when working with soy wax compared to paraffin due to its lower melting temperature. This requires some adjustments when making and shipping soy candles.

Do Wood Wicks Burn Better in Soy?

When testing wood wicks versus cotton wicks in soy wax, there are a few key factors to consider.

According to Wick testing with Wooden Wick Co.’s Sample Kit, wood wicks tend to burn cleaner and brighter in soy wax compared to cotton wicks. The natural fibers of wood wicks absorb and distribute the wax more efficiently. This leads to a brighter flame and less soot or black smoke. Cotton wicks can struggle to burn cleanly in vegetable wax like soy.

However, wood wicks also present some challenges with soy wax. If the wick is too wide for the diameter of the candle, it may cause tunneling where the wax melts too quickly around the wick. Wood wicks also need to be trimmed to an exact height for optimal performance in soy wax.

Overall, with the right wick selection and proper wick maintenance, wood wicks can provide excellent performance in soy candles. The natural capillary action of the wood fiber creates a brighter, cleaner burn. But cotton wicks should not be fully ruled out, as they remain a good option if properly paired with the soy wax diameter.

Recommendation

Based on the findings discussed, wood wicks do seem to perform better overall in soy wax candles compared to standard cotton wicks. The natural properties of wood provide some key benefits when burning soy wax:

• Wood wicks are rigid and stand upright, keeping the flame centered and allowing the wax to pool evenly.
• They burn hotter and brighter than cotton, melting more soy wax and creating a stronger scent throw.
• The wood grain creates a pleasant crackling sound as the wick burns.

The main downside is that wood wicks are more fragile and can be prone to breakage. Proper wick sizing and trimming is important. Overall though, the advantages appear to outweigh the extra care needed.

For soy candle makers wanting to maximize fragrance, achieve full melt pools, and create an enjoyable candle experience, wood wicks are recommended over standard cotton options. Just be prepared to test wick sizes thoroughly and trim precisely for best results.

Conclusion

In summary, wood wicks do seem to be a better option than other wick types when used in soy candles. The natural wood material pairs well with soy wax, allowing for an even and complete burn. Wood wicks are also free of toxic chemicals, matching the clean-burning nature of soy wax. With their crackling sound and flame visibility, wood wicks create an appealing ambience in soy candles. The only downsides are their higher price point and the need to trim and maintain them. But with proper care, wood wicks enhance soy candles with their natural beauty and clean-burning properties. If you’re looking to get the most out of your soy candle experience, a wood wick is your best bet.