What Can I Use To Hold A Wick In Place?

When making candles, it’s important to secure the wick in place so that it remains centered as the wax hardens. The wick is the cord that runs through the middle of the candle which you light on fire to produce the flame. If the wick shifts off-center as the candle sets up, it can create an uneven burn and tunneling issues where the wax melts unevenly.

There are several different materials that can be used to hold a wick in place while making candles. Some common options include cotton, wax, glue, metal, ceramic, glass, silicone, and wood. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to holding wicks.

This article will provide an overview of the various materials that can be used to keep wicks centered and secured when making candles. It will outline the properties, benefits, and potential drawbacks of each material choice.

Cotton

Cotton is one of the most common materials used to hold a candle wick in place. Cotton is very absorbent, meaning it soaks up melted wax well. This helps anchor the wick and keep it upright as the candle burns. Cotton is also inexpensive and easy to find. To use cotton as a wick holder, simply wrap strands of cotton tightly around the base of the wick, about 1/2 inch up from the tip. The cotton will absorb wax and hold the wick upright. Make sure to trim any excess cotton so it does not extend up into the wick itself. Cotton yarn or string work well for this purpose.

Wax

Wax is one of the most common materials used to secure a wick in place when making candles. Both melted and hardened wax can hold a wick firmly in position. When making a candle, the wick can be centered in the mold or container and the melted wax poured over and around it. As the wax cools and hardens, the wick becomes embedded and anchored in the wax. The cooled wax keeps the wick upright and taut.

Wax provides a reusable method to secure wicks. If a candle needs to be re-wicked or the wick adjusted, the wax can be gently melted to loosen the wick. The wick can then be re-centered and the wax allowed to harden again. This allows wicks to be re-positioned multiple times if needed.

Common types of wax used for candle making include paraffin, soy, and beeswax. The wax should fully coat the wick and harden into a stable base that keeps the wick stationary as the candle burns.

Securing wicks with cooled wax is simple, effective, and takes advantage of wax’s natural adhesive properties when transitioning from liquid to solid states. It creates a tight hold while still allowing adjustability by re-melting as required. This makes wax an ideal material for securing wicks in candle making. (Source: https://suffolkcandles.co.uk/blogs/candles/how-to-secure-a-wick-in-a-candle)

Using Glue to Hold a Candle Wick in Place

Glue is a common household item that can be useful for securing a candle wick. There are many types of glue that work well for candle making.

Hot glue guns use a thermoplastic adhesive that sets quickly after being melted and applied. Hot glue hardens rapidly as it cools, so it’s great for securing wicks in pillar candles or containers. It dries quickly and forms a hard bond.

Craft glues like tacky glue or all-purpose white glue take more time to dry but create a strong, flexible bond. These are a good option if you need more working time to adjust the wick placement before the glue sets.

Super glues and instant adhesives provide a fast-drying, permanent bond. Just a small drop is needed to firmly hold a wick in place. The wick should not be moved once the super glue adheres.

Epoxy adhesives are two-part glues that solidify after being mixed. Epoxy creates a very durable bond and can withstand heat well. This makes it a great choice for securing wicks in container candles.

The key with any glue is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and allow adequate drying time. Glue offers a simple adhesive solution for fixing a wick in place when making candles.

Metal

Small metal wick bars make excellent holders for wicks in oil lamps and candles. The metal conducts heat well to the wick and provides a sturdy base to keep the wick upright and in place (source). Metal wick holders come in materials like brass, copper, and stainless steel. They can be simple circular rings or more decorative shapes. The size of the metal holder should be selected to properly fit the lamp or candle container and hold the wick securely. Small metal wick bars allow the flame to safely burn the fuel at the tip of the wick.

Ceramic

Ceramic is a great material to use for holding a wick in place. Ceramic is known for its ability to withstand high temperatures, making it ideal for candles where the wick and wax can get quite hot. According to Oil Candle Supplies, ceramic wick holders are perfect for larger containers like wine bottles.

One of the key benefits of ceramic is that it absorbs the liquid wax, helping to anchor the wick firmly in place. The unglazed surface of ceramic provides texture that the wax can grip onto. This prevents the wick from slipping or floating in the melted wax. Ceramic’s durability at high temperatures also prevents the holder from cracking under the heat of a burning candle.

Ceramic wick holders can be purchased in various shapes and sizes to accommodate different candle containers. They are available as knobs, tubes, and disks that fit snugly into bottle openings and jars. According to Dan’s Daughters’ Containers, ceramic wick holders allow you to upcycle wine bottles and other containers into oil candles.

Overall, the heat resistance, texture, and stability of ceramic make it an optimal material for securing wicks in homemade and upcycled candles.

Glass

Glass is a popular material for wick holders because it can withstand high temperatures without losing its shape. When candle wax melts, it can reach temperatures over 180°F. Glass has a very high melting point, so it will not bend or warp when exposed to the heat of liquid wax (1). This makes it ideal for holding wicks in place.

Another advantage of glass wick holders is that they are transparent. This allows the candle maker to easily monitor the wax level and notice when more wax needs to be added. Glass offers a clear view of the burning wick and wax pool (2). The transparency also enables decorative options like colored glass or frosted finishes.

Overall, glass is an excellent choice for holding wicks due to its heat resistance and transparent properties. Glass wick holders retain their shape when hot and allow monitoring of the wax level.

(1) https://www.oilcandlesupplies.com/glass-wick-holders.html

(2) https://www.swanscandles.com/Checkout4Pro/ocacces.htm

Silicone

Silicone is a popular material for wick holders because it can withstand the high temperatures inside burning candles. Silicone has a high heat resistance, with a typical maximum temperature range of approximately 400-500°F before degrading. This makes silicone suitable for holding wicks in place during the candle burning process when temperatures can reach up to 185°F.

Silicone is also a flexible material that allows for easy wick insertion and removal. Wick holders made of silicone can stretch and flex as needed to slide the wick in place snugly. The flexibility also enables quick and simple wick replacement when the candle is burned down. So silicone’s high heat tolerance combined with its flexible nature make it an ideal choice for candle wick holders.

Sources:
https://www.dkwax.com/products/wick-holder

Wood

Wood is a natural material that has been used for centuries to hold wicks in place for candles. Wooden wick holders catch the melted wax as the candle burns, helping center the wick and prevent it from tilting or falling over. Wood is an ideal material for wick holders because it’s affordable, sustainable, and reusable.

Popular types of wood used for wick holders include bamboo, birch, pine, cedar, and balsa. Pine and cedar are soft woods that are easy to cut and shape into wick holders. Harder woods like birch provide more durability. Bamboo is a grass that offers sustainability, as it grows rapidly without the need for replanting.

Wooden wick holders are simple to make at home, requiring just basic tools like a saw, drill, and sandpaper. Many candle making suppliers also sell ready-made wood wick holders in bulk packs. These often come in a variety of colors like red, yellow, blue, and green.

Wood wick holders provide a natural, attractive look that complements soy, beeswax, and other natural candle varieties. The natural grain and color variations of wood give each wick holder a unique, handcrafted appearance. With proper care, wooden wick holders can be reused many times over.

Overall, wood is one of the most versatile and readily available materials for holding wicks in homemade and store-bought candles. Its natural properties and sustainable sourcing make it a top choice among many candle makers and crafters.

Conclusion

There are several effective options for holding a wick in place when making candles or oil lamps. Cotton, wax, glue, metal, ceramic, glass, silicone, and wood can all securely anchor wicks.

Cotton is one of the most common wick holders, as it’s a natural material that burns safely along with the wick. Pre-tabbed wicks with a cotton base are readily available. Wax and glue are also very accessible options, simply by dipping and sticking the wick to the bottom of the container. Sturdier materials like metal, ceramic, glass, and silicone can be molded or drilled to contain wicks, for very secure long-burning candles or lamps.

When selecting a wick holder, consider the size and depth of the candle or lamp, the type of fuel, and desired burn time. The holder must be a non-flammable material that can withstand heating and hold the wick upright. For safe candlemaking, always use appropriate wick holders to ensure good performance.