A candle just isn’t a candle without a wick. Without a wick there would be nothing to light! Instead of producing a beautiful glittering light, it would just be a beautiful piece of wax! You may not have given wicks much thought but they are an important part of candle making. Choosing a candle making wick is not something you should take lightly. Actually, the more experienced you become at candle making the more involved you will become in choosing the right wick for your project.
Selecting a wick involves some key variables. These include the type of wax you are going to use, the size of the candle you will be making, the fragrance density and your personal preferences.
Don’t let this intimidate you. Choosing candle making wicks is not difficult at all. As with anything you try for the first time, there will be challenges. However, once you do it a few times it will become very easy.
I am a strong proponent of note taking. Write everything down for future reference. Keep track of wick size, wax type, the pour temperature, the fragrance type used and with what type of wicks. This way you will know what works well and what doesn’t the next time you do the same or a similar project.
Although you may be interested in learning about the science of wicks, how and why they work, that is not necessary for now. The biggest thing to remember is that the diameter of the wick is important.
If you select a candle making wick that is too thick for your size candle, the result is a flame that burns too brightly. That, in turn, means your candle burns far too quickly. Not only is this not an efficient use of your candle, it’s also a hazard.
If you choose a wick that’s too thin the opposite occurs. The candle burns too slowly and only the inner portion of your candle melts. The wax, in effect, saturates the wick and all burning stops.
Typically, you’ll discover that candle making wicks are sold braided. This isn’t for a nice look. Braided wicks, for one thing, helps to indicate the thickness of the wick itself. The more braids a wick possesses, the thicker it is.
Candle making wicks are not to be overlooked. Although selecting the right one is important, do not let it scare you. The more you do it the better you will get. You now have enough information to get started and be on your way to making your own beautiful candles.
