A source for an endless battle for many weary candlemakers ... which wick do I use???? Answer = the only way to know for definite is to test, test, test! What works for one person may not necessarily work for you. Below are some guidelines.

1. Flat braid cotton wick
These wicks are used primarily for pillar candles as the flat plait in the wick allows it to curl and bend as the candle burns. This virtually eliminated carbon build up (mushrooming) in pillar candles. Cotton braid wick is not suitable for gel, container or votive candles as it will go limp and not stand up.

     18 ply - use for 1" to 2" diameter pillars
     24 ply - use for 2½" to 3" diameter pillars
     30 ply - use for 3½" to 4" diameter pillars

2. Square braid Wicks
Commonly used in beeswax candles. This wick will also curl and bend as the candle burns and the process by which these wicks are made allows the beeswax to be drawn up through the wick for a better burn.

     #1 - use for 1" to 2" diameter pillars
     #2 - use for 2" to 3" diameter pillars
     #3 - use for 3½" to 4" diameter pillars

3. Cored Wicks (zinc, cotton, paper and tin)
Cored wicks have a thin piece of metal running through the middle of the wick which enables it to stand up without flopping over in the container or votive candle.

     36-24-24 - use for votives, small containers
     44-24-18 - use for votives, 2" to 3½" diameter containers
     51-32-18 - use for 3" to 4" diameter containers
     60-44-18 - use for 4" to 5" diameter containers

4. HTP Wicks (Coreless)
These wicks are very new on the market (beginning of 2001) and combine the rigidity from cored wicks with the benefit of being "self trimming". I have not experimented with these wicks yet but have an order in with a supplier to test some!! The apparent benefits of these wicks are that they require less trimming, virtually eliminate carbon build up (mushrooming) but do not contain a metal core.

5. Specialty Wicks
Specialty wicks are used for floating and tealight candles, food warmers and liquid lamp oils.

Different wicks will give different results in your candles. You will notice differences in the height of the flames, the size of the melt pool and the speed with which the candle melts down (the burn time). The bigger the flame, the bigger the melt pool and the quicker the candle will burn. You ultimately want to opt for a wick that burns evenly, cleanly, has minimal mushrooming and maximum burn time. The only way to be completely sure of this is to test.

If you are unsure about whether you have the right wick or not, read below.

Candle smoking - Wick is too big. When the wick is too large for the candle it will try and consume more melted wax so it can burn better. This results in soot or smoke.

Candle leaving a large portion of unmelted wax - The wick is probably too small. When it is too small, it cannot burn right out to the edges of the candle which causes it to tunnel down the middle. The candle will eventually fizzle out where the wick drowns in the melt pool.

Single wicks are inexpensive and very light to post so it will cost you practically nothing to test your wicks properly to be sure that you are getting the very best burn possible for your candles.

Email webmaster@deelights.com with comments and suggestions about this site.

If you have questions about candlemaking, please direct them to me at
candlequestions@deelights.com.

Candlemaking.org.uk is part of DeeLights.com - the premiere UK source for handpoured candles.

No part of this site may be reproduced without prior consent.

Wicks explained!

©1999-2001 Dee Stapleton All rights Reserved