What Are The Recommended Candle Wicks?

Candle wicks are the string inside of a candle that regulates how the fuel, wax or oil, burns. They are crucial to a candle’s performance and the quality of its light. Proper wicking is important to prevent issues like tunneling, where the candle melts unevenly, and excessive smoking or sooting. The right wick will provide an even, complete burn and a consistent flame height. With attention to details like wick size, material, and trimming, candles can provide their maximum light output and fragrance.

The wick draws fuel up through capillary action as the candle burns, bringing fresh wax or oil to the flame. The optimal wick width allows just the right amount of fuel to burn efficiently. If the wick is too wide, it brings up more fuel than the flame can consume, causing smoking and excess soot. If too narrow, the flame will be insufficient and the candle may tunnel down in the center.

Wicks must withstand high heat while resisting clogging from melted wax. They should provide a straight, centered burn for the full life of the candle. Proper selection and care of the wick is essential for the candle to function as intended, providing steady, sufficient light.

Wick Materials

The material a wick is made from greatly impacts how it performs. Wicks come in a variety of materials, each with their own pros and cons.

Common wick materials include:

• Cotton – Cotton wicks are very popular because they provide a clean, even burn. Cotton fibers are soft and flexible. However, cotton wicks may produce more soot than some other materials.
• Paper – Paper wicks are inexpensive but don’t last as long as cotton. They can carbonize and break off more readily. Paper also burns faster than cotton.
• Wood – Wooden wicks have a natural wooden core surrounded by cotton. The wood helps the wick stand upright and improves air flow. Wood wicks make a crackling noise when lit.
• Zinc – Zinc core wicks provide an extremely rigid, upright wick. The zinc aids with an even burn. However, zinc can also conduct heat and lead to hotter wax pools.

There are advantages and disadvantages to each material. Cotton and wood/cotton blend wicks are among the most popular choices for their clean burn and versatility. Testing different wick types with your wax and fragrance is the best way to determine optimal performance.

Wick Sizing

The diameter of the wick is one of the most important factors in candle making. The wick size directly impacts the melt pool, burn time, hot throw, and more. Generally, a larger wick will create a larger melt pool and a brighter, stronger flame. However, too large of a wick can cause issues like tunneling, poor scent throw, and excessive sooting.

As a rule of thumb, most candle makers recommend using a wick approximately 1mm smaller than the diameter of the candle. For example, a candle with a 2″ diameter would use a wick with a 6/0 square braid (SB) wick, which is 1.8mm. This ratio helps ensure an ideal melt pool and clean burn.

Larger diameter wicks allow the wax pool to liquefy quicker and release fragrance faster, creating a stronger hot throw. However, wicks that are too large can cause the melt pool to reach the sides of the container, creating an irregular burn and tunneling. Smaller wicks may struggle to maintain a full melt pool and scent throw.

Testing is critical, as factors like wax type, fragrance load, and vessel shape also impact ideal wick size. Many companies provide detailed wick recommendations per candle specifications. Following guidlines from reputable suppliers like ouroilyhouse.com can help determine the optimal wick for each candle.

Braided vs Knitted

There are two main types of candle wicks that are commonly used – braided and knitted. Braided wicks are made by twisting strands of fiber together to form a thicker, rounded wick. Knitted wicks are made by interlocking loops of fiber to create a flat, tape-like wick (Elements of a Candle: Wicks).

Braided wicks tend to be more robust and hold their shape better in the melted wax. The texture of a braided wick also helps draw wax up through capillary action. Braided wicks are a good choice for containers candles and pillars (Choosing the Best Candle Wick – FRÆNDI).

Knitted wicks have more surface area and can flex and bend more easily. This allows them to curve over as the candle burns down. Knitted wicks are often used for votives, tea lights, and other small candles where a flatter wick performs better. The increased surface area also promotes full melt pools in container candles (What is the Difference Between Cored and Flat Braided Wick).

In summary, braided wicks are sturdier and work well for larger candles while knitted wicks burn more evenly and are good for small votives and containers. Consider the candle design, size, wax type, and desired flame characteristics when choosing between braided and knitted wicks.

Wick Trimming

Properly trimming your candle wick before lighting is crucial for safety. According to Yankee Candle, you should trim your wick to 1⁄4 inch before each use to avoid excess smoke, promote full wax pool melt, and reduce risk of fire. Trimming helps sustain an even, consistent flame. Allow the wax pool to solidify completely before trimming the wick when the candle is cold. Avoid trimming the wick when the candle is still burning, as this can be dangerous.

The basic steps for trimming a wick prior to lighting are:

1. Make sure the candle wax is completely solidified and the wick is cold.
2. Use candle wick trimmers designed specifically for trimming wicks. Do not use scissors or knives.
3. Trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch length. The ideal trim length may vary slightly by candle type.
4. Trim just the blackened portion of the wick.
5. Trim perpendicular to the wick, avoiding an angled cut.

Proper wick trimming helps candles perform optimally, reducing risk of fire, soot, and excess smoke production (Source). Investing in quality wick trimmers designed for candle wicks makes the process quick and easy.

Self-Trimming Wicks

Self-trimming wicks are designed to curl back into the melted wax pool as the candle burns. This helps prevent excess black soot on the wick as it burns. The technology for self-trimming wicks was first patented in the early 1990s by Canadian company Lumi-Lite Candle Company. Some of the most popular self-trimming wick styles today are from manufacturers like Candle Science and Lumi-Lite.

The main benefit of self-trimming wicks is reduced soot and a cleaner burn. As the wick curls back into the wax, it consumes the soot that would normally build up on a regular wick. Many candle makers and consumers prefer self-trimming wicks for this reason. However, there can be some drawbacks. Some self-trimming wick styles may curl back too far, causing the flame to become too small and tunnel the wax pool. Testing different wick types and diameters is key to finding the right self-trimming wick for each candle formula.

Overall, self-trimming wicks provide a great way to minimize soot and have become very popular. With testing, most candle makers can find a self-trimming style that works well for their needs. Popular options include CandleScience’s CD wicks, Lumi-Lite’s RL wicks, and Fil-Tec’s Rigid Curl wicks.

Testing Wicks

Properly testing wicks is crucial for ensuring optimal candle performance. There are several key procedures for testing how well a wick burns:

First, conduct a basic burn test by lighting the candle and allowing it to burn for 4 hours or until the wax pool reaches the edges of the container. Observe the melt pool, flame height, and any mushrooming or sooting issues. The flame should be steady and not produce excessive smoke.

Next, do a combo burn test by letting the candle burn for 2 hours, extinguishing for 1 hour, then relighting for 2 more hours. Check for mushrooming, tunneling, and proper melt pool formation. The wick should relight easily without leaving unmelted wax.

Testing different wick widths in identical candles can reveal the optimal wick size. Wider jars need a larger wick so heat can distribute properly. Watch for clogging, drowning, or an uneven melt pool. The right width means full wax melting without excess smoke.

Finally, test wick curling by allowing the candle to burn completely to the bottom. The wick should curve without falling into the wax pool or clinging to the glass. Proper curl indicates the wick is burning efficiently throughout the candle’s life. (Source)

Wick Curling

Wick curling occurs when the wick becomes distorted from the flame and curls over into the wax pool instead of standing straight up. There are a few potential causes of wick curling:

• Using the wrong wick size – If the wick is too small for the candle diameter, it can struggle to stay rigid and curl over from the heat of the flame. Always use an appropriately sized wick.
• High wax melting point – Waxes like soy and beeswax have higher melting points and can cause more wick curling. Try a wax blend or additives to lower the melting point.
• Poor wick centering – If the wick isn’t perfectly centered in the candle, uneven melting can cause it to curl to one side. Make sure wicks are centered.
• Old or low quality wicks – Older wicks or poor quality wicks are more prone to curling. Use fresh, high quality wicks.

To prevent wick curling:

• Choose the right wick size for your candle diameter and wax type.
• Use wax additives like vybar or parasoy to lower the melting point.
• Make sure wicks are perfectly centered.
• Trim wicks to 1⁄4” before each burn to remove any curled tips.
• Consider using braided wicks, which resist curling.
• Test different wick types to find the best option for your wax.

Stopping wick curling results in better wax pooling, fragrance throw, and a cleaner burn.

Reducing Soot

Sooting occurs when a candle wick is too large for the wax pool, causing incomplete combustion and excess smoke. To reduce soot, choose a wick that is properly sized for the candle diameter. The wick should be wide enough to remain upright and retain a mushroom-shaped tip as the candle burns, but not so wide that it drowns and smolders in wax.

Braided wicks are often recommended for reducing soot, as they curl back into the wax pool as they burn. This helps prevent overly large wick tips from developing and emitting smoke. Knitted wicks may be more prone to sooting if not trimmed properly. Always be sure to trim wick ends before lighting to remove any charred portions, typically 1⁄4 inch is recommended.

Proper burning techniques also help diminish soot. Avoid drafts which can disrupt wax pool formation, and do not move or jar the candle as it burns. Allow the wax pool to reach its full melt diameter before extinguishing the flame. According to Blaizencandles.com, sooting results from a candle not made properly or improper burning techniques.

If soot does accumulate on walls or surfaces, gently wipe with a microfiber cloth. For more stubborn deposits, use a wick trimmer or soft putty knife followed by warm soapy water. Avoid abrasive cleaners which may damage the underlying surface, as recommended by Servpro.

Choosing the Right Wick

Selecting the proper wick is crucial for achieving ideal candle performance. The key factors to consider are:

• Wax type – paraffin, soy, beeswax, gel, etc. Each wax has different properties that impact wick performance.
• Melting point – waxes with lower melting points like paraffin require a smaller wick than higher melt point waxes like beeswax.
• Oil content – waxes with added oils require a larger wick to avoid drowning.
• Container size – larger jars need a bigger wick and flame to properly melt the wax pool.
• Desired burn time – longer burn times require a larger wick.

This wick selection chart provides general guidelines on pairing wick sizes with common candle containers and waxes:

Wax Type	Container Diameter	Wick Size
Paraffin	2″	CD 5
Paraffin	3″	CD 7
Soy Wax	2″	CD 8
Soy Wax	3″	CD 10
Beeswax	2″	CD 10
Beeswax	3″	CD 12

Testing different wick sizes to find the optimal flame and melt pool for each candle design is recommended. The proper wick promotes full wax melting while avoiding excess smoke, soot, or mushrooming.