Candle Wicks - Make Sure You Select The Right One
Candle wicks are made from a variety of materials such as, paper, cotton, and zinc. They also come in different variations. Choosing the correct wick can be quite a task considering all of the choices available to you. In general you base your wick selection on the diameter or width of the candle.The following are some symptoms of selecting the wrong wick for your candle application:
- Mushrooming: When the candle takes on a mushroom shape. This is happens when the candle burns. It deforms and no one wants this to happen.÷
- Blowout: This is when a hole appears in one side of the candle.÷
- Excessive soot or black smoke coming from the candle.÷
- Uneven burning of the candle.
A properly selected wick does more than burn; it should bend ever so slightly towards the center of the candle causing an even sized pool of melted wax. If you are unsure about which wick to use, it is recommended to ask your supplier. Most suppliers will either tell you over the phone or they have extensive information available on their websites. Most suppliers also offer wick sample kits.
Important Tip! Keep your wick trimmed 1/3 to 1/4 of an inch.