Candle wick in candle glass

Candle Wicks Made Simple: Tips for a Perfect Burn Every Time

How to Pick the Correct Wick for Your Candle: A Complete Guide

Choosing the right wick is one of the most important steps in candle making. The wrong wick can lead to poor burning, tunnelling, or excessive soot, while the perfect wick ensures a clean, even, and beautiful flame.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to select the correct wick for your candle type, size, and wax.

Why Wick Selection Matters

The wick is the “engine” of your candle—it draws the melted wax up to the flame to fuel combustion. Using the wrong wick can cause:

  • Uneven burning (tunnelling or excessive melting on one side)

  • Excessive smoke or soot

  • Flame too small or too large

  • Shortened burn time

The right wick creates a steady, well-proportioned flame and maximizes the life of your candle.

30cl Karen candle glass

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Wick

1. Candle Size and Diameter

  • Smaller candles (2–3 inches): Usually need thin wicks (like 1–2 mm cotton).

  • Medium candles (3–4 inches): Use medium wicks (2–3 mm).

  • Large candles (4+ inches): Require thicker or multiple wicks to ensure even melting.

Tip: When in doubt, it’s better to start slightly thinner—you can always test and adjust.

2. Wax Type

  • Soy Wax: Often requires cotton or wooden wicks; typically a slower burn.

  • Paraffin Wax: Burns hotter; may need slightly thicker wicks.

  • Beeswax: Dense wax; usually requires a stiffer cotton or wooden wick.

  • Gel Wax: Needs special cored wicks for optimal burning.

3. Fragrance and Additives

  • Strong fragrance oils can suppress flame, so you may need a slightly larger wick to compensate.

  • Dyes and other additives may affect melting behaviour, always test before full production.

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4. Wick Type

  • Cotton Wicks: Traditional, versatile, great for most container candles.

  • Wooden Wicks: Give a crackling effect; best for wider containers and soy wax.

  • Cored Wicks: Cotton or wooden wicks with paper or metal cores; provide structure for larger candles.

5. Flame Preference

  • A taller, more dramatic flame → thicker wick.

  • A shorter, slower flame → thinner wick.

How to Test Your Wick

Even with guidelines, testing is essential. Here’s a simple method:

  1. Prepare a sample candle in the same container, wax, and fragrance.

  2. Light the candle and observe burn behaviour:

    • Flame too high → wick too thick.

    • Flame too low → wick too thin.

    • Uneven melting → wick needs adjustment.

  3. Record the wick type that gives a consistent melt pool and ideal flame.

Pro Tip: Always allow the candle to burn at least 1 hour per inch of diameter for accurate testing.

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Quick Wick Selection Guide

  • Small candles (under 3 inches in diameter): Use a thin cotton wick.

  • Medium candles (3–4 inches in diameter): Use a medium cotton wick or paper-core wick.

  • Large candles (over 4 inches in diameter): Use thicker cotton wicks, wooden wicks, or multiple wicks for an even melt pool.

  • Gel candles: Use a special gel-cored wick.

  • Dense beeswax candles: Use a stiff cotton or wooden wick.

Final Tips

  • Always test before committing to large batches.

  • Keep wick trimming tools handy, trim to 1/4 inch before each burn.

  • Document what works for each wax type, fragrance, and container for future reference.

With the right wick, your candle will burn evenly, beautifully, and safely, creating the perfect ambiance every time.

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