The wick is the heart of the candle you are making. It is what carries the heat of the flame to your candle. A virtuous circle then begins: the heat melts the wax and turns it into a liquid, which in turn fuels your flame. Your wick draws up the liquid wax by capillary action. Over the centuries, candle wicks have evolved to become more efficient and longer-lasting.
So with the wax acting as the fuel and the air as the oxidiser, the reaction becomes possible once your flame supplies the heat. This is the fire triangle.
Having explored the different candle waxes and their benefits, it is time to tell you all about candle wicks! That said, testing is the golden rule. A test is the best way to be sure you are using the right wick and to avoid any problems.
Our beginner's guides to candle wicks
The different wicks available for candles
Choosing the right wick helps you avoid the most common problems in candle making. The wrong wick can, for example, lead to a poor scent throw, melt pool problems or black smoke, or even put the flame out altogether!
- If the wick is too small, it draws up too little wax for the amount of wax around it, and the flame drowns.
- If the wick is too large, it draws up too much wax, causing too much smoke and too big a flame. The flame can then become unstable and flicker.
First of all, it is important to introduce the different types of wick. There are countless wicks on the market, but here we only cover the ones we stock.
Series waxed wicks for ease of use
Coated in wax, these wicks suit every kind of creation, as they light quickly and are easy to fit. This makes them ideal for container, moulded, floating, gel or tealight candles. Depending on the type of candle you want to make, you will need to choose between several types of waxed wick.
Advantages:
- Easy to use and manage: these wicks are simple to handle and position in your candles.
- Ready to use: already prepared, they save you precious time when making your candles.
Disadvantages:
- Slightly higher cost: they are a little more expensive than spooled wicks.
- Limited length: the pre-cut length of the wick can limit its use in some large candles.
-
Fragility: these wicks need careful handling.
The differences across our TCR, ECO, STABILO and LX Series range
Discover the main characteristics of Series waxed wicks to help you choose the ones best suited to your scented creations:
-
TCR, ECO and STABILO wicks: these wicks are coated in a blend of vegetable wax (soy wax) and animal wax (beeswax) and made from double-braided cotton. They are particularly well suited to vegetable waxes and have a paper core that gives them excellent rigidity. This makes them ideal for container candles, as it stops the wick from bending over or drowning in the melt pool. TCR wicks are braided, while ECO and STABILO wicks are twisted.
-
LX wicks: made from spun cotton, these rigid wicks are specially designed for scented and coloured candles, particularly in paraffin wax. They offer an optimised burn, ensuring consistent, stable performance, ideal for creations that need an even scent throw.
Cherry wood wicks and their crackling effect
Made from natural cherry wood, wooden wicks add a lovely crackling effect as they burn. Unlike cotton wicks, they never slump. Wooden wicks also do not give off unpleasant smells, for example when you put them out. These wicks are suitable for making container candles!
Advantages:
- A unique look: wooden wicks bring a distinctive, elegant touch to your candles.
- A pleasant crackle as they burn: they give off a gentle crackling sound while burning.
- A sustainable, renewable material: made from cherry wood, these wicks are eco-friendly and kind to the environment.
Disadvantages:
- Uneven burn: they can burn irregularly, which may affect the candle's performance.
- Risk of black smoke or wax discolouration: burning can produce soot or discolour the wax.
-
Substantial thickness: because they are thicker, they can be harder to use in small candles.
Spooled wicks for every use
Spooled candle wicks are the most common. Their simpler design generally makes for easy candle making. You will find linen, hemp and cotton wicks. Within this wick family, there are several types of braid:
Advantages:
- Economical: they are generally cheaper, which helps to keep production costs down.
- Flexible sizing: you can cut the wick to the length you need for your creations.
- Customisation: you can pre-coat the wicks yourself, which gives you more control over the process.
Disadvantages:
-
Preparation required: they take time to wax (by dipping them in wax for a few minutes) and to fit onto a base.
Flat braid
We recommend using this type of candle wick for paraffin-based creations. As well as being ideal for this kind of candle, it has a considerable advantage: it is economical.
Square braid
Square braid is quite rare. It is often used to make church candles or outdoor candles. You can therefore use it for larger-diameter candles.
Round braid
We recommend using this type of braid for beeswax candles. This type of wick is a good choice if your candle contains more than 60% stearin, or for vegetable waxes.
Essential wick accessories for successful creations
Making candles calls for the right tools to achieve a professional result. Among the essential accessories, wick centring tools, wick holders, self-adhesive wick pads and other tools play a key role in the stability and performance of your candles.
Centring and stabilising your wicks
Wick centring tools, whether round, rectangular or multi-diameter, keep your wicks perfectly centred while you pour the wax. Whether you are working with 70 mL or 200 mL containers or other sizes, these accessories adapt to all your needs. Centring tools are available in metal or wood to suit your preferences.
Fixing your wicks with ease
Wick bases, whether flat or spring-loaded, provide a sturdy footing for wooden or cotton wicks and ensure an even burn. To fix your wicks to the bottom of your containers, self-adhesive wick pads or sticky wax are ideal. They hold the wick reliably in place, even while you pour the hot wax.
Optimising the burn
Wick holders, available in different shapes (round with a hole, with a spike or spring-loaded), keep the flame perfectly stable and extend the life of your candles. They are essential for a steady burn and an optimal scent throw.
Finishing tools
To look after your candles properly, wick trimmer scissors let you adjust the length of your wicks before or after use, for a clean burn. A candle snuffer helps you put out your candles without smoke, while wick pliers make it easy to position your wicks precisely.
The wick is the heart of your candle
You now know more about the world of wicks, their role and the impact they can have on the quality of your candles. To go further, also discover our article on choosing the ideal wick, along with plenty of other content to support you in your creations.
