How Much Wick Should You Leave On A Candle?
Importance of Proper Wick Length
The length of the wick on a candle affects how evenly and cleanly the candle burns. Maintaining the proper wick length is crucial to prevent issues like tunneling, smoking, and sooting. It also allows you to maximize usage of the candle wax and fragrance, as well as optimize burn time. As explained by Paddywax, “By maintaining the wick at an appropriate length (usually around 1/4 inch or 6 mm), you can ensure a controlled burn rate, maximizing the hours you’ll enjoy the candle.” 1
Measuring Wick Length
When determining the proper wick length, it’s important to accurately measure how much wick is exposed above the wax. Follow these steps for measuring wick length correctly:
Use a ruler or tape measure to precisely measure the wick length. Measure from the top of the melted wax pool up to the tip of the wick. For an accurate reading, let the wax fully pool out before measuring. Compare your measurement to the wick length recommendation from the candle wax or wick manufacturer. Most provide guidelines for proper wick height based on the candle’s diameter and wax type.
For example, if you’re using a 2-inch diameter candle with a common blend wax, the manufacturer may recommend leaving the wick trimmed to 1/2 inch. Following their guidelines for your specific wax and wick pairing will help achieve the ideal melt pool and burn.
Sources:
https://villagecraftandcandle.com/blogs/news/what-are-the-different-types-of-candle-wicks
General Guidelines
Many experts recommend trimming the wick to 1/4 inch for candles in containers and 1/2 inch for pillar candles before lighting, according to the blog How to Trim Your Candle Wicks to Ensure an Even Burn. This quarter-inch guideline helps the wick curl and prevents issues like tunneling. For taller pillar candles, leaving the wick slightly longer at 1/2 inch allows for a full melt pool while reducing excess smoking.
However, the ideal wick length can vary slightly based on the diameter of the candle and wax type. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions, as they may recommend a specific wick height based on testing of that particular candle. The thickness of the wick also factors into the ideal height. Follow the recommendations on the candle packaging, trim off any curled or excess wick ends, and adjust to your liking after the first burn.
Testing Wick Length
It is important to test the wick length before lighting a candle to ensure proper performance and safety. According to CandleScience, the steps for testing wick length are:
- Trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch (6 mm) using sharp scissors.
- Light the wick and allow to burn for a few minutes.
- Observe the flame height and shape. An ideal flame should be about 1⁄2 inch high and steady, not smoking or sooting.
- If needed, trim the wick slightly and retest until achieving the proper flame.
It’s recommended to do at least 3 test burns with each new candle before finalizing the wick length. Pay attention to signs of an improper wick such as tunneling, mushrooming, drowning, or crowning, and adjust the trim length accordingly. Proper testing ensures the wick length is optimized for that specific candle before lighting.
Trimming Before Each Burn
It’s recommended to trim the wick before lighting a candle each time to help ensure optimal performance and an even burn. Trimming the wick before burning provides the most consistent results versus leaving long wicks or trimming only after extinguishing the flame.
Leaving an untrimmed or uneven wick can lead to issues like mushrooming, where the tip of the wick becomes enlarged and develops carbon deposits. This prevents the wick from burning properly and can lead to smoke, flame instability, and poor fragrance release. Trimming ahead helps prevent wick clogging and allows the wick to burn freely without obstruction.
In addition, assessing the wick before lighting allows you to check that it’s still centered in the wax pool and adjust as needed. Centering is important to maintain an even melt pool. Trimming every time also removes any curled or bent tips, providing a fresh start.
Overall, taking a quick moment to trim wicks before lighting candles leads to better performance. It’s a simple practice that helps sustain an ideal burn.
Signs of Improper Wick Length
One of the most obvious signs of an improperly sized wick is uneven or abnormal burning of the candle. Here are some common issues to look out for:
Tunneling or unmelted wax. This occurs when the wax around the edge of the container melts, but wax in the center does not. It indicates the wick is too small for the candle. (Source)
Mushrooming or clogged wick. A wick that is too large will create a lot of soot which clogs the wick and prevents the candle from burning properly. The wick can take on a mushroom-like shape. (Source)
Sooting or smoking. Excessive smoke or soot is another sign of a wick that is too large. The wick is producing more flame and heat than the wax can handle. (Source)
Small flame that drowns. A wick that is too small will produce a flame that is too weak and gets drowned in melted wax. The wick has trouble staying lit. (Source)
Large flame in danger of going out. On the other hand, an oversized wick will create a flame that is too large and flickers, threatening to go out. (Source)
Uneven burning. Wax that melts unevenly, sinks into the jar, or leaves residue on the sides indicates improper wick sizing. The heat and melt pool are inconsistent. (Source)
Fixing Issues
If you notice issues with your candle’s burn, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix common problems related to wick length:
Trim the wick if it has become clogged with melted wax or mushroomed at the tip, using scissors or nail clippers. Trimming will allow it to burn cleanly again (source).
Lengthen the wick if the candle is exhibiting “tunneling,” where wax melts in a ring around the edge but leaves a hole in the center. This is a sign the wick is too short. Carefully use scissors or a knife to bring the wick up higher in the wax so the flame can reach the edges (source).
Change to a different wick size if sooting continues, as the current wick may be too large for the candle diameter and wax type. A smaller wick will often reduce excess smoke.
Center the wick if the candle is burning unevenly to one side. You can insert a new centered wick, or gently bend the existing wick into position using tweezers.
Wick Size Considerations
The thickness of the wick needed depends on the diameter of the candle. Larger candles require thicker wicks that won’t drown in the melted wax. Generally, follow these guidelines for wick sizing based on candle diameter:
- Tealights: use thin wicks around 1mm
- Votives/Jars up to 2″: use medium wicks 1.5-2mm
- Jars 2-3″: use large wicks 2-3mm
- Pillars and jars over 3″: use extra-large wicks 3mm+ (CandleScience)
For extra-large candles, multiple wicks may be needed to ensure even burning across the diameter. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for wick sizing based on the wax and diameter. Testing different wick sizes through burn tests is often needed to find the optimal wick, especially when working with custom wax blends.
Wick Material Differences
The most common materials used for candle wicks are cotton, wood, and paper, each with their own unique properties that affect burn rate, melting, pairing with wax, and maintenance needs:
Cotton wicks are very popular as they burn evenly and cleanly without releasing excess soot or smoke. Cotton has good capillary action to draw wax up the wick, and pairs well with paraffin, soy, and vegetable waxes. However, cotton wicks require regular trimming for optimal performance.1
Wooden wicks make an audible crackling sound when burning, creating ambience. They have large capillaries to allow maximum wax flow and hotter burning flames. Wood wicks work best with vegetable or soy waxes. However, they may release more soot and require more frequent trimming than cotton.2
Paper-cored wicks contain braided cotton or thread wrapped around a paper core, allowing adjustable wicking for high fragrance loads. The paper burns away while the cotton remains to sustain the flame. These wicks work well for wax melts and candles with heavy scents. The paper core can char and require wick dipping during first burns.3
Safety Precautions
It’s important to trim the wick to prevent safety hazards and ensure proper burning. According to the Candle.org article, trimming the wick every couple hours helps candles burn up to 25% longer. https://candles.org/your-foolproof-guide-to-burning-a-candle-correctly/
You should avoid burning a candle too close to the bottom, as this can be dangerous. Stop burning a candle when there is less than 1/2 inch of wax left. Burning too close to the bottom causes excess heat buildup in glass containers which can lead to cracking or shattering.
Be mindful of drafts which can cause rapid, uneven burning and blow wax onto surfaces. Keep candles away from pets and children to prevent accidents. Never leave a burning candle unattended, and make sure candles are in proper holders on an appropriate surface.
