The wick is the heart of your candle during its manufacture. Thanks to it, the heat caused by the flame will reach your candle. A virtuous circle will then be created thanks to the heat which will burn the wax and transform it into a liquid which will itself fuel your flame. Your wick will suck up the liquid wax by capillary action. For centuries, candle wicks have evolved to become more efficient and longer lasting.
It is therefore thanks to the wax acting as fuel and the air acting as oxidant that the reaction becomes possible with the contribution of your flame acting as heat. This is the fire triangle.
Discover our different guides now! We explain everything about candle wicks! However, the culture of testing is essential. A test is the best way to be sure you are using the correct wick to avoid possible problems.
Our beginner's guides to candle wicks
The different wicks available for candles
Choosing the right wick helps you avoid the frequent problems encountered when making your candle. A poor choice of wick can, for example, cause poor diffusion of the perfume, a swimming pool problem or the appearance of black smoke or even the extinction of the flame!
- If the wick is too small, the wax supply is insufficient and the quantity of wax too high. So the flame is snuffed out.
- If the wick is too large then there will be excess wax causing too much smoke and flame. The latter can be unstable and wobble.
First of all, it is important to introduce you to the different types of wicks. There are a multitude of references, but we only discuss ours here.
Waxed locks for all types of use
Coated in wax, these wicks are suitable for all types of projects thanks to quick lighting and easy installation. They are therefore ideal for poured, molded, floating, gel or tea light candles. Depending on the type of candle you want to make, you must choose between several types of waxed wicks.
The TCR Series
TCR coated wicks are particularly suitable for soy, rapeseed and beeswax with or without dyes or fragrances for a final result in container/pour candles.
They are made from pure cotton interwoven with a twisted paper core, with no chemicals used in the manufacturing process. TCR strands are not bleached or treated with artificial substances. They burn perfectly thanks to the superior quality of the cotton used and their unique structure with a paper core surrounded by a woven cotton support jacket. Additionally, these wicks are waxed and equipped with a metal foot to facilitate their use in creating candles.
The 1st digits after "TCR" indicate the number of strands on the outside, the 2nd digit indicates the internal number of strands inside the strand.
The ECO Series
Also in cotton, these wicks braided from fine paper threads give a rigid structure without the need for a core. They are an ideal choice with soy wax for poured, molded and votive candles.
The LX Series
These lead and zinc free wicks are made of natural flat cotton threads interwoven with paper threads. This produces a rigid structure. The uniform combustion allows ideal operation with vegetable and paraffin waxes (paraffin & gel) in cast candles.
Wooden wicks & their crackling effect
Of natural origin from cherry wood, the wooden wicks will add an appreciable crackling effect when the wick burns. They never sag unlike cotton wicks. Wooden wicks do not spread unpleasant odors when extinguishing, for example. These wicks are suitable for making container candles!
Braided locks for ease
Braided candle wicks are the most common. Indeed, their design is simpler and generally allows for a creation that is easy to make. You will find wicks made of linen, hemp or even cotton. We know that in this wick family, there are several types of braiding:
Flat braiding
We advise you to use this type of candle wick in the context of a paraffin-based creation. Very suitable for this type of creation, it also has a considerable advantage: it is economical.
Square braiding
Square braiding is very rare. It is often used to make tapers or outdoor candles. So you can use it to make candles with larger diameter needs.
Round braiding
We recommend using this kind of braid for beeswax candles. This type of wick is good to use if your candle contains more than 60% stearin or for vegetable waxes.
The wick is the heart of your candle
Now you know all the main types of bits we have! We also offer you an article on choosing your wick and much more.
