A wick is required for every candle, except for wax melts.
No candles complete without one. But where can you begin? To determine the size of your candle’s wick, it is essential to test. This step-by-step guide can help you get started.
Some parts of this process may not apply to small votives and taper candles.
Most of this guide targets pillar candles and containers. You may need to adjust your acceptance criteria depending on the outcome you are looking for.
The selection process (and guide) often goes something along the lines of:
Choose a wax type
To locate a wicked series to begin with
- Measure your candle diameter
- Make your candle scent, dye.
- Take a look at the candles
- Adjust the wick to your liking
- Candles use wicks.
The market offers many types of wicks to complement different waxes and containers.
Why Does Wick Type Matter?
Some wicks work well with other waxes.
Some commercial wicks (which are purchased from a distributor) have some distinctive characteristics that can be used with specific waxes.
Fiber and thread makeup. Many wicks contain cotton but there are also wicks made of wood, fiberglass, or “natural fibers”.
Wax coating. Commercial Wicks are coated in a high melt wax, typically paraffin. This coating helps to make the wick stand up straight in a melting pool and to make it easier to light. Some wicks are made without this coating, while others have it.
Though it is a good idea to “prime”, the wicks can be dipped in melted wax.
These properties are important because every wax has different properties like density, melting points, and (“whether it flows like water or molasses).
They become one when the wax melts.
Steps 1 – Choose a wax type
You will find many waxes in the candle market. All types of vegetable wax are available, including soy, palm, and traditional waxes like beeswax or paraffin.
All waxes have pros and cons. Your application will determine which one you choose.
Manufacturers of wax usually make wax specifically for a particular purpose, so ensure you are choosing the right one to fit your candle making.
The following list contains a few popular wax blends suitable for container candles. You can find other suppliers, however, especially if container candles are not your main focus.
Step 2 – Choose one or more wick series
It is generally true that wicks can work in only one set of waxes, and not all.
You might choose another series later, but you are going to choose one.
Why?
Factors that alter the burning behavior such as fragrance oil or dye can cause a wick to react negatively to one that is usually suitable for a wax type. Wick selection does not represent a complete.
It’s an area to collect data and allow you to respond to it. The best candle makers know this and don’t stress about the first few choices of wicks. Every design has its differences.
Step 3: Measure diameter
The diameter of your container or mold should be measured in inches.
Diameter, which is for those who might not be able to remember (don’t worry), is the distance that runs from one end of the circle to the opposite, straight across.
Step 4 – Choose between three-wick sizes
If this wasn’t obvious, it involves a lot more “trying things” to make sure they work.
The majority of candle makers begin with three candles at once. They each have a different wick size to see how it turns out. While you don’t always have the option to choose from three-wick sizes for your candles, it can help you narrow down your options if you’re trying something new or have never made one before.
Step 5 – Design your candle
This step is the easiest. Once you choose your wick, complete laying out your candle design on paper.
If everything is poured from one batch, the remaining factors will be:
- Fragrance oil mix
- Fragrance Load
- If appropriate, color
- Containers or molds (they should all look the same!)
Create your three candles then let them rest for the proper time. Continue to the burn testing.
Step 6 – Burn the test
Only a true test can tell you if your choice was successful.
Careful testing is the most important part. Many candle sellers will burn the candle a few more times before they decide that it’s OK.
The best candle makers use a wick that has been burn tested, then reacts .This ensures that the wick will perform well in the candle.
