Now that you know the different types of wicks, and also how to choose them! You should now know how to properly use your wick for your scented candle. To do this, you need to know a few basic techniques . You can also carry out a combustion test to ensure that it is working properly.
Prepare & use your wick as best as possible
After having chosen the wick best suited to your perfumed creation, you now need to know a few techniques to extend its effectiveness and improve its rendering. Beforehand, you must therefore have chosen a suitable drill bit, particularly in terms of its size.
When using wooden wicks, we strongly recommend using stearin or beeswax as an additive to your wax.
In fact, this will harden your greasy wax and prevent the wooden wick from going out. You will then obtain a better result and reduce the risk of the wick going out.
Direction of installation of a wick
You should respect the direction of installation of your wick to optimize its combustion. This rule is essential for a beeswax creation, but is much less important with other waxes. Locks with braids must have their threads always upwards. The V-shaped structure of the flattened face of the round wick should open towards the tip of the candle.
Use bases at the bottom of containers
Using metal bases helps keep your wick straight at the bottom of the container. For molded candles, the base adds significant security in order to preserve the support of your creation at the end of its life.
Center your wick
Properly centering your wick in your creation will help you avoid wasting wax. Your candle will not hollow and will burn evenly. Check regularly that your wick remains well centered.
How to keep a candle wick straight?
When filling the wax into your container, we strongly recommend the use of a wick centralizer to facilitate its stability in your container. Since oilskins are the most rigid, they will be the easiest to keep straight.
Then, use one of the following 3 solutions to make your wick adhere to the bottom of the container:
- Self-adhesive stickers: practical, they have a small felt allowing better adhesion for containers with “non-flat” bases.
- Sticky paraffin wax: these greasy plates will provide effective adhesion to the base at the bottom of your containers.
- Add 1mm of your wax to the bottom!
Your very first lighting should last 1 to 2 hours. You will let the pool form to avoid any problems.
Why cut and re-cut a candle wick?
Remember to cut the wick approximately 5/7 mm from the surface of your wax to avoid combustion alterations (mushrooms, black smoke, large flame, etc.). Remember, it's not the wick that fuels your candle's flame, it's the wax!
The flame draws the wax upwards by capillary action through the wick. If it is not cut short and clean, the wax cannot reach the flame. This concerns any type of wick.
Just be sure to let your creation cool before carving if you don't want any bits of ash or wick left in the wax. It's much easier to clean this when the wax is hard and cold!
Do the opposite if you need to refocus your bit. It is much easier to readjust a wick when the wax is soft and hot!
To cut it, preferably use a wick cutting scissor.
Replace its wick to finish a candle that no longer has one
To replace it, you must first extinguish your candle and let the wax cool. You can then use tweezers or a butter knife to remove the used one.
Once the wick is removed, you can cut a new wick to the desired length and insert it into the candle. If the wax has hardened around the wick, you can warm it slightly to soften it before inserting the new one. Make sure it is straight and that the flame will not touch flammable objects when you relight the candle.
Easily perform a combustion test for my candle wicks
To perform a combustion test, you must first place the fragrance-free creation on a stable, flat surface. Next, light the unscented candle. Then observe the candle flame to see if it burns evenly and if the wax melts evenly. If the flame flickers or the wax does not melt evenly, this may be a sign that there is a problem with your wick choice. Once you have watched the flame for 30 to 60 minutes, blow out the candle.
What should you watch for during a candle wick burn test?
In relation to the wick, watch for several things during a burn test, including:
The flame of the candle
It must be stable and not wobble. If the flame is too high or flickers excessively, this may be a sign that the wick is not suitable.
To obtain optimal burning, it is important to keep it away from drafts which could cause the flame to flicker. You can also use a candle holder to hold the candle in place and prevent it from tipping. Also be sure to ventilate your room regularly, but first extinguish the candle before doing so. This will allow you to avoid any risk of fire and ensure optimal burning of your creation.
We do not recommend extinguishing your creation by blowing on it. Use a snuffer that will deprive the candle of air to release less black smoke and soot.
The flame of a candle is separated into different zones of incandescence and temperature, easily visible to the naked eye:
(1) Candle body with liquid wax bath.
(2) Wick curved toward the edge of the flame with a glowing tip.
(3) Blue zone:
- In the lower part of the flame.
- Usually has a faint glow.
- Increase in temperature due to oxidation.
- Excess oxygen.
(4) Dead space:
- 600–1000°C
- The mass of oxidizer evaporates.
- Low oxygen content.
- Generation and accumulation of carbon particles.
(5) Primary reaction zone:
- Very hot oxidation zone.
- Temperatures up to 1400°C.
- Almost complete combustion.
(6) Bright area:
- Starts in the primary reaction zone and ends at the flame tip.
- Carbon particles glow when still heated.
- They emit a yellow light and are burned on contact with oxygen.
Wax
It should melt evenly around the wick. If the wax does not melt evenly, it may be a sign that the wick is too short or too long. There is likely some wax left on the rim of your container after lighting your creation.
The position of the wick
The wick protrudes from the candle in a straight line and curves towards the edge of the flame, entering the "glowing zone", where it burns completely at the highest temperature under the influence of oxygen.
You are ready to use your bits in the best conditions
You are now ready to maintain the flame of your creation in the best conditions. Remember to test your wick and maintain it throughout the life of your homemade candle. Are you having problems? We have listed many problems and their solutions for you!
