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How Do I Choose a Wick?

Published in Candle Making Wicks 3 mins read

Choosing the right wick for your candle project is essential for a safe, clean, and effective burn. It primarily depends on a few key factors related to the candle itself.

To select the correct wick, you need to consider the following critical elements:

Key Factors for Wick Selection

Based on best practices and candle science, three main considerations guide your wick choice:

1. Measure the Candle Diameter

The first crucial step is to measure the diameter of the candle container or mold. This is directly related to the size of the wick you will need. A wick must be appropriately sized to create a melt pool that extends close to the edge of the container without causing excessive heat or tunneling (where only the center burns down).

  • Wider containers require larger or multiple wicks to ensure a full melt pool.
  • Narrower containers need smaller wicks.

Choosing the wrong size can lead to poor scent throw, excessive sooting, or an incomplete burn.

2. Check the Type of Wax Being Used

The type of wax significantly impacts wick performance. Different waxes have different burning characteristics, viscosity when melted, and melting points.

  • Natural Waxes like soy, beeswax, or coconut wax often require specific wick types designed for their properties.
  • Paraffin Waxes may use different wick series compared to natural waxes.

A wick that performs well in one type of wax might not work correctly in another.

3. Consider the Type of Scent and Dye

Any scent or dye added to the wax can affect how the candle burns. These additives can alter the viscosity of the melted wax or even clog the wick if not compatible.

  • Heavily fragranced candles might require a slightly larger wick to compensate for the impact of the fragrance oil on the burn.
  • Dyes, especially in high concentrations, can also influence wick performance.

Testing is always required when scents or dyes are added to ensure the wick still performs optimally.

Practical Steps for Wick Selection

While the factors above give you the necessary information, finding the exact right wick size often requires testing.

  • Start with a Wick Chart: Many wick suppliers provide charts that suggest starting wick sizes based on wax type and container diameter. Use these as a guide.
  • Perform Burn Tests: Always make test candles using your specific container, wax, fragrance, and dye combination. Burn the candle for several hours to assess:
    • Melt pool diameter (should reach close to the edge within 2-3 hours).
    • Flame height and stability.
    • Sooting levels.
    • Overall burn quality.

Adjust the wick size (up or down) based on your test results until you achieve the desired burn performance.

By carefully considering the candle's diameter, wax type, and additives, and following up with testing, you can effectively choose the best wick for your candle.