Candle Wicks

How many of us know that wicks actually play a significant role in choosing candles? Most of us think that wicks are just the same. But in reality, there are various kinds of wicks and each one has its own specific characteristics.

A candle wick definitely serves to deliver the wax towards the flame. Hence, it acts as some sort of a fuel pump. Thus, the size of the wick will dictate the candle’s burning performance. This means that if you have a large wick, it is likely to bring more fuel than necessary and is going to cause the candle to flare up and emit soot. On the other hand, if it is not capable of drawing enough fuel, the flame will eventually sputter out too.

Regardless of the wick type, each is made up of fibers which are knitted, twisted, or braided together. Presently, there are over 100 different wicks available. The candle’s wax type, its shape, size, scent, and color all influence the choice of wick. The wick may appear insignificant but it is actually important in obtaining a product that burns more efficiently.

Majority of the high-quality wicks are those with fibers that are braided, knitted, or plaited so as to make burning more consistent. Hence, the twisted wicks are considered of lesser quality than the knitted or braided ones.

There are basically four major kinds of candle wicks. The flat wicks are mostly used in pillar and taper candles. These are the knitted or flat-plaited wicks that are comprised of three fibers. Aside from being able to burn consistently, they also have the tendency to curl when lit. They are often used in novelty candles since they are usually dipped in the melted pool when snuffed out.

The square wicks which are either knitted or braided fibers are also known to curl when burned. They are more rounded than the flat wicks though. The candle wicks for rolled beeswax candles are mostly these square braids.

Cored wicks are the knitted or braided fibers which make use of a certain core material in order to keep itself upright when lit. This type features a rounded cross-section while its core material offers it a stiff characteristic. Paper, cotton, tin, or zinc are some of the most commonly-used core materials. The cored wicks can be seen in pillars, jar candles, devotional candles, and votives. These are also easier and safer to use since they stand upright while they are burning.

The special and oil lamp wicks are the special type of wicks which are designed for use in special applications like in insect-repelling candles and in oil lamps.

If you want to know which wick is most appropriate for your candle, you have to base your selection on these factors: fuel or wax type (natural or synthetic), fuel or wax melt point, the candle’s shape and size, the type of candle (inside container or self-standing), environmental requirements, type of fragrance, type of color, and additives. Several of the wicks in the market are wax-coated to make them as the first major source of fuel. But even if the wick is burned when lit, the actual thing that fuels the flame is the wax.

Whatever type of candle wick you choose to use for your homemade candle, it is crucial to let it have t the right length. This means that your wick should be about the same length as your candle, with just a bit protruding from the top. Before buying the wick, make sure that you know your candle’s diameter. This will tell you which diameter of wick to buy. When you have fully understood how candles actually burn, choosing the right candle making supplies won’t be hard at all.