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Beeswax candles are a popular choice among candle makers for their natural, sweet scent and long-lasting burn time. However, choosing the right wick for your beeswax candle can make all the difference in the quality of your finished product. With so many wick options on the market, it can be challenging to know which one to choose. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of the top wicks for beeswax candles, including square and round braided cotton wicks, hemp wicks, coreless cotton wicks, square braided paper wicks, LX wicks, and CD wicks. By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to choose the best wick for your beeswax candle-making needs.
When it comes to making beeswax candles, choosing the right wick is essential. After all, the wick needs to burn hot enough to melt the beeswax and keep it from burning out prematurely.
The size of the wick is also critical to ensure that the candle flame doesn’t burn too hot and melt the beeswax too fast. To prevent this, it’s important to trim the wick to between 1/4 and 3/8 of an inch.
Why choosing the right wick matters
Wicks are the most important component of beeswax candles and if you choose the wrong wick it can lead to a poor burn. The right wick will melt the wax evenly, create a clean and reliable flame, and be free of soot, smoke or self-extinguishing issues.
Choosing the right wick can be an overwhelming task, but it’s essential if you want your candle to burn correctly and efficiently. Luckily, there are many factors that can determine the correct wick for your candle making project.
The first thing you need to consider is the diameter of your candle. This is important because it determines the size of the wick you need to use in order to create a good melt pool and a clean, even burn.
Once you have your effective diameter, you can navigate to a wick chart of your choice and select the size that best matches your series, wax, and the number of wicks you are planning to use. This is a good start, but you may need to experiment with some different options before you find the right wick for your project.
Next, you need to consider the wick’s makeup. Wicks come in a variety of materials, but most are made from cotton or natural fibers such as hemp. They are also usually braided. This type of design adds structure to the wick and helps it stand up in a melt pool, reducing risk of fire and soot formation.
Most wicks are coated with a high melt point wax, commonly paraffin, to enhance their stability in a melt pool and make them easier to light. This coating is not a requirement, but it can help reduce the likelihood of soot and fire formation.
You can also test a wick for its performance with different waxes, fragrance oil, and dye, before committing to it. Some wicks have been proven to be great for one wax type, but not another, so it’s best to use a variety of wicks to get an idea of which will work well in your particular design.
Understanding wick sizes and types
Choosing the right wick is an important part of making a successful candle. It controls how much fuel is burned and how long the candle will burn. The wick also determines how evenly the candle will burn and the shape of the flame. Using the wrong wick can result in a large or uneven flame, and it may even cause your candle to fail.
Various types of wicks are available for use with beeswax candles. Each type is designed to meet a certain combustion criteria, so make sure you choose the right one for your specific candle.
Cored wicks are a popular choice for many candles because they’re made from a braided or knitted cotton fiber around a round core material (such as paper, zinc, or tin). Zinc core wicks tend to be the sturdiest wicks and will stand up to a variety of waxes. They’re usually used for pillars and votives, but they can be used in jar candles as well.
Flat wicks are another popular choice, as they’re self-trimming and provide a consistent burn. They’re also known for their crackling, cozy sounds as they burn.
They’re a good choice for poured and taper candles as they tend to burn more evenly than other wicks, which helps prevent soot build-up. They can be used with a wide variety of waxes, including beeswax, paraffin, and soy blends.
Once you’ve decided on the wick series and type, the next step is to determine the appropriate size. Each wick series has a sizing chart, so be sure to refer to it before you buy a wick.
The diameter of your container or mold plays a big role in determining the wick size you need. Narrower wicks are suited for smaller diameter containers, while thicker wicks are best for larger jars.
Depending on the wax you’re using, the fragrance you’re adding and any other variables that affect the burning characteristics of your candles, the correct wick size will vary from one candle to the next. This is why it’s important to perform burn tests before selecting a wick for your beeswax candle.
Square braided cotton wicks:
Square braided cotton wicks are one of the most popular choices for beeswax candles. These wicks have a flat, braided shape that helps them burn more evenly and reduce mushrooming. The major benefit of square braided cotton wicks is that they are great for thick beeswax candles and can handle a lot of wax. They also work well in containers and pillars. However, they can be difficult to light and may not burn as cleanly as some other wick types.
Round braided cotton wicks:
Round braided cotton wicks are another popular choice for beeswax candles. These wicks have a more traditional round shape and are known for their clean burn and low soot. The benefit of round braided cotton wicks is that they are easy to light and work well in most sizes of candles. However, they may not be as suitable for thicker candles and may not burn as brightly as square braided wicks.
Square braided hemp wicks:
Hemp wicks are a great eco-friendly option for beeswax candles. Square braided hemp wicks are known for their clean burn and bright flame. They also work well in thick candles and pillars. The benefit of hemp wicks is that they are a more sustainable option than cotton and produce less soot. However, they can be difficult to light and may not work as well in containers.
Coreless cotton wicks:
Coreless cotton wicks are a popular choice for beeswax candles because they are known for their clean burn and low soot. These wicks do not have a core and are therefore more eco-friendly. They work well in most sizes of candles and are easy to light. However, they may not be suitable for thicker candles and can sometimes produce a smaller flame.
Hemp wicks:
Hemp wicks are a great eco-friendly option for beeswax candles. These wicks are made from natural hemp fibers and are known for their clean burn and bright flame. They work well in thick candles and pillars and are a more sustainable option than cotton. However, they can be difficult to light and may not work as well in containers. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly option for your beeswax candles that still provides a great burn, hemp wicks may be the perfect choice for you.
Square braided paper wicks:
Square braided paper wicks are a great choice for those who want a more eco-friendly option than cotton wicks. These wicks are made from natural paper fibers and are known for their clean burn and low soot. They work well in most sizes of candles and are easy to light. However, they may not burn as brightly as cotton or hemp wicks and can sometimes produce a smaller flame.
LX wicks:
LX wicks are a popular choice for beeswax candles because they are designed to work well with natural waxes like beeswax. These wicks are made from cotton with a thin paper filament that runs through the center. They produce a bright flame and work well in most sizes of candles. However, they may not work as well in thicker candles and can sometimes produce a small amount of soot.
CD wicks:
CD wicks are another popular choice for beeswax candles. These wicks are made from a blend of cotton and paper and are designed to provide a consistent burn. They produce a bright flame and work well in most sizes of candles. However, they may not work as well in thicker candles and can sometimes produce a small amount of soot.
Factors to consider when choosing a wick
Choosing the right wick for your candle is one of the most important decisions you can make in the candle making process. The wick is what burns the wax and releases fragrance into the air, so it’s vital to choose a quality product that works well in your candle.
The wick is made from a variety of materials including cotton, wood, fiberglass, or “natural fibers.” Many wicks have a special coating that adds structure to the wick and makes it easier to light. The type of wick also affects the burn behavior and temperature of the wick.
There are a variety of wick types that include cored, flat braided, and square wicks. Each type is designed to meet a different combustion criteria.
Cored wicks are made from braided or knitted fibres around a core material. This gives them a rigidity to help the wick stand upright in a molten wax pool. These wicks are usually used in pillar candles and votives.
Flat braided wicks are also manufactured from high performance fibres and offer a cleaner burning, self-trimming wick that is ideal for paraffin wax, beeswax, vegetable, and gel candle systems. They are also engineered to curl while burning, which minimizes carbon build-up and helps them maintain a hotter flame.
Some wicks are coated with a special wax to increase their structure and aid in easier lighting. This is not necessary for all wicks, however, it is helpful to try different types of wicks in your containers before purchasing one.
A quality wick will produce a full melt pool, which means that it has heated up enough to fully melt the surface wax from the rim of the container to the base of the wick. This creates a more even, consistent burn.
In addition, a good wick should produce no soot or smoke during the burning process. Soot and smoke result when the wick draws too much fuel at once, allowing the wax to cling to the sides of the candle container instead of vaporizing cleanly.
The most important factor to consider when choosing a wick is the type of wax you’re using. Different types of wax have their own unique properties such as melting points, textile densities, color and fragrance reservations.
Tips for successful beeswax candle making
If you’re looking to start making candles at home, there are some things you should know before you get started. These tips will help you avoid common problems that can occur with beeswax candles.
First of all, make sure you have the right tools and accessories to make your candle. You’ll need a double boiler or other large pot that you can melt the wax in, a thermometer to check the temperature of the mixture, and a spatula to mix it.
You should also have a wick holder that can hold the wick in place and is easy to use. Old pens or pencils will work as well, but if you’re not comfortable using a pen or pencil, a heat-proof glue is an alternative that can hold the wick in place until it is poured into the mould.
Once you have the wick holder in place, pour the liquid wax into the wick holder until it’s completely filled. This will ensure the wick is evenly distributed in the melted wax. You may need to stir the melted wax a bit so it doesn’t burn or harden quickly.
After the melted wax has cooled, add your desired essential oils or other fragrances. I recommend a ratio of one ounce per pound of wax. You can even add a bit of melted coconut oil if you’d like to give your candle an extra rich smell.
Lastly, make sure your wick is the correct size for your candles. If it’s too small, the entire diameter of the candle won’t burn properly and will affect the scent throw.
Beeswax candles can be made in a variety of shapes and sizes. They can be molded into a pillar, cube, or other shape, and they can be decorated with decorative embellishments, such as lace or ribbon.
You can also add layers of colored wax, such as red roses, lavender, or hibiscus petals. This allows the color to leech into the wax while it’s melting, allowing you to achieve beautiful shades without having to add dye or food coloring.
When the melted wax is cool, add the candle fragrance oil and allow it to fully cool before pouring into the molds. This will help the fragrance oils penetrate into the wax and infuse the candle with a pleasant aroma.
