How to Choose the Right Wick for Candles to Improve Burn Time and Performance

When making a candle, choosing the right wick is just as important as selecting the right wax or fragrance. A poorly chosen wick can lead to uneven burning, wasted wax, and unsatisfactory scent throw.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned candle maker, understanding how wick types and sizes affect your candle’s burn properties can save you time, effort, and resources.

Candle enthusiasts often find themselves dealing with candles that burn too quickly, produce too much smoke, or don’t burn all the way to the edges. These problems are often a result of using the wrong wick for the candle’s size or wax type.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the different types of wicks available and help you choose the best one for your candle-making needs. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to ensure that your candles burn efficiently and last longer.

Types of Wicks and Their Properties

Choosing the right wick begins with understanding the wide variety available. Each wick type has unique properties that make it suitable for specific waxes, candle types, and sizes. Let’s explore the most common wicks used in candle-making:

Cotton Wicks

Cotton wicks are the most widely used type in candle-making. They are made from tightly woven cotton threads and produce a consistent and steady flame, making them versatile for most wax types.

• Pros:
  • Easy to use with various waxes (soy, paraffin, beeswax, etc.).
  • Available in different thicknesses for candles of all sizes.
• Cons:
  • Prone to mushrooming if the wick is too thick for the candle size.

Braided Wicks

Braided wicks are tightly woven, making them thicker and ensuring a steady burn. They are commonly used in larger candles or those with a high fragrance load.

• Types of Braiding:
  • Flat Braided Wicks: Best suited for paraffin wax candles. They are economical and easy to work with.
  • Square Braided Wicks: Rare but ideal for taper and outdoor candles, especially for larger diameters.
  • Round Braided Wicks: Often used for beeswax candles, especially those with more than 60% stearin or vegetable waxes.
• Pros:
  • Reduces mushrooming and carbon buildup.
  • Provides a consistent flame height.
• Cons:
  • May require trimming after extended burns.

Wooden Wicks

Wooden wicks add a rustic charm with their natural crackling sound when burning. They burn slowly and are ideal for long-lasting container candles.

• Pros:
  • Aesthetic appeal with a pleasant crackling sound.
  • Burns evenly with minimal soot.
• Cons:
  • Can be harder to light if not trimmed properly.

Metal-Core Wicks

Metal-core wicks, commonly made from zinc or tin, provide additional stability and are often used in container candles. These wicks maintain a consistent flame, even in larger or deeper candles.

• Pros:
  • Provides excellent stability in larger or deeper containers.
  • Produces a reliable, steady flame.
• Cons:
  • Not ideal for natural waxes or for those aiming for eco-friendly candles.

TCR Wicks

TCR (Twisted Cotton and Paper) wicks are made from pure cotton interwoven with a twisted paper core, making them ideal for use with soy, rapeseed, or beeswax. These wicks are particularly well-suited for container/pour candles.

• Pros:
  • Ideal for natural waxes with or without dyes or fragrances.
  • No artificial substances or chemicals used in their production.
• Cons:
  • Can be too rigid for certain types of wax.

ECO Wicks

ECO wicks are a popular choice for soy wax candles. They are made from cotton and fine paper threads, offering a rigid structure without a core, which allows for a steady and clean burn.

• Pros:
  • Excellent choice for soy wax and votive candles.
  • No need for a core, maintaining a clean and rigid structure.
• Cons:
  • May not work as effectively with harder waxes like paraffin.

LX Wicks

LX wicks are made from natural flat cotton threads interwoven with paper, offering uniform combustion. They are ideal for vegetable-based waxes, paraffin, and gel candles.

• Pros:
  • Lead- and zinc-free, making them a safer option.
  • Works well with paraffin, gel, and vegetable-based waxes.
• Cons:
  • May require careful trimming to avoid excessive smoking.

Paper-Core Wicks

Paper-core wicks are made with a paper filament in the center and offer a hotter burn, making them a great option for candles with higher melting points like paraffin.

• Pros:
  • Provides a stronger and hotter flame.
  • Ideal for votive or container candles.
• Cons:
  • Can burn too hot for smaller or delicate candles.

Hemp Wicks

Hemp wicks are an eco-friendly option, made from natural hemp fibers. They burn slower and cleaner, making them a great choice for eco-conscious candle makers using soy or beeswax.

• Pros:
  • Environmentally friendly and often chemical-free.
  • Burns cleanly and slowly.
• Cons:
  • Can be more difficult to find compared to cotton wicks.

By understanding the properties of these various wicks, you can better match them to your candle-making projects, ensuring optimal performance, burn time, and safety.

How Wick Size Affects Burn Time

Wick size plays a significant role in how a candle burns. A wick that is too small may not generate enough heat to melt the wax fully, leading to tunneling.

Conversely, a wick that is too large can cause excessive heat, burning the wax too quickly.

Small Wicks

Small wicks are ideal for smaller candles or those made with softer waxes like soy. They burn slower, allowing the candle to last longer, but may cause tunneling if the candle is too large for the wick.

Burn Time Impact: Slower burn, but may not burn all wax evenly.

Medium Wicks

Medium wicks are versatile and often used in medium-sized container candles. They balance burn time and performance.

Burn Time Impact: Steady burn with fewer issues of tunneling or excessive heat.

Large Wicks

Large wicks produce more heat and are typically used in larger candles or those made with harder waxes. However, they can cause excessive mushrooming and faster burn times.

Burn Time Impact: Quick burn, but can lead to overheating and wasted wax if not sized properly.

Matching Wicks to Wax Types

Different wax types require different wicks. Wax density, melting point, and fragrance load can all affect how a wick performs. Here’s how to match the wick to the wax type:

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Wick

Selecting the wrong wick is a common mistake in candle-making, and it can lead to poor candle performance. Here are a few pitfalls to avoid:

1. Using a Wick That’s Too Small: Small wicks may not generate enough heat to melt all the wax, leading to tunneling, where wax is left unmelted around the edges of the container.
2. Overwicking: Using a wick that’s too large can cause the candle to burn too fast and produce an excessive flame. It can also cause mushrooming, where carbon builds up at the tip of the wick.
3. Not Testing the Wick: Every wax, fragrance, and wick combination behaves differently. Always test your wick in combination with your wax and fragrance to ensure optimal performance.
4. Ignoring Wick Trimming: Failing to trim the wick before each burn can lead to uneven burning and excess soot. Keep your wick trimmed to ¼ inch before lighting.

Conclusion

Choosing the right wick is essential to ensuring that your candle performs well and burns for the right amount of time. By selecting the correct type of wick and matching it to your wax, fragrance, and candle size, you can create candles that not only look beautiful but also burn evenly and efficiently.

Whether you’re working with soy, paraffin, or beeswax, take the time to experiment with different wicks to find the perfect match. By avoiding common mistakes and properly maintaining your wick, you’ll enjoy longer-lasting, better-performing candles every time.

For more guidance on choosing the right materials, don’t miss the following articles:

• Is Candle Making a Profitable Business?
• Best Wax for Candle Making

Featured image created using Canva