How To Select A Candle Wick (For Homemade Candle Making)?

Choosing the proper candle wick for your handmade candles may be difficult for both beginners and expert candlemakers; this tutorial lays down the most common types of wicks and how to utilize them.

While candle wax is perhaps the most fascinating component of crafting handcrafted candles, the choice of the wick is equally crucial.

The material provided here are an excellent starting point for learning about the many types of candle wicks available, as well as recommendations for addressing common wick-related issues.

Learning how to pick a candle wick is a science, but there is also an intuitive component – creating candles at home requires a lot of trial and error. Start with little candles, such as 4-ounce mason jars, and take lots of notes along the way.

You will not only save a lot of wax and time, but you will also become acquainted with the candle-making process.

Another helpful piece of advice for selecting the correct wick is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. While you may need to try with a few sizes, the accompanying purchasing wax instructions are typically both useful and precise.

You should go through the following checklist when investigating candle wicks:

• The type of wax (can include paraffin wax, soy wax, coconut wax, palm wax, gel wax, and beeswax)
• Candle type
• Candle size and shape
• Melting point of the wax
• Fragrance and percentage (if using)
• Colorant kind and proportion (if applicable)
• Additives
• Estimated wax consumption

When you’re initially starting, a “wick generator” might be useful. It provides information depending on the type of wax used and the size of the candle container, and it is an excellent beginning point for selecting and experimenting with different wicks.

Candle Wick Types

The majority of candle wicks fall into one of three categories:

• Cored Wicks: Wicks that are braided or knotted around a circular core composed of paper, cotton, zinc, or tin.
• Flat Wicks: Flat-braided or knitted wicks created from three layers of fibre that are self-trimming and provide a constant burn.
• Square Wicks: A self-trimming wick that may be braided or knitted; they are frequently used with beeswax (for poured candles and taper candles).

There are various types of wicks within these three categories:

Wicks Of Zinc

• Widely used in a variety of candle forms, including gel candles, votives, tea lights, and moulded candles.
• Constructed of the cotton braid with a zinc core (the strongest core material), which maintains the wick firm and erect while it burns.
• Zinc core wicks burn cooler, making them ideal for paraffin wax, soy wax, or a combination of the two.

Wicks With A Paper Core

• Commonly used for a variety of candles, including votives, tea lights, and moulded candles.
• Made of the cotton braid with a paper inner core that adds strength to the wick.
• Paper core wicks burn cooler and work best with paraffin wax, soy wax, or a combination of the two.

Eco-Friendly Candle Wicks

• Designed for use with natural waxes and suitable for a wide range of candles, including votives, tea lights, moulded candles, and container candles up to 7 inches tall.
• ECO wicks are flat and constructed of coreless cotton braid combined with paper.
• Have been designed to be self-trimming and less prone to mushrooming, soot, and smoke as they burn.
• Because it burns colder and is primed with soy wax, it works best when used with soy wax (ideal for an “all-natural” candle alternative) or a soy/paraffin combination.