How to Choose the Right Wick for Your Candle?

How to Choose the Right Wick for Your Candle?

Choosing the right wick is one of the most important decisions in candle making. The wick controls how your candle burns, how strong it smells, and whether it is safe to use or sell.

A wrong wick can cause tunnelling, smoking, mushrooming, weak scent throw, or even overheating—no matter how good your wax or fragrance oil is.

To choose the right wick for your candle, match the wick type and size to the candle diameter and candle style (container or pillar). Larger candles need thicker or wider wicks, while smaller candles need thinner wicks for a clean and even burn.

🔍 Step 1: Identify Your Candle Type

Before choosing a wick, first identify:

  • Container candle (jar, glass, tin)
  • Pillar candle (freestanding, mould candles)

Each type requires a different wick structure.

🕯️ Step 2: Choosing the Right Wick for Container Candles

For container candles, the jar diameter is the most important factor.

🔹 Eco Braided Cotton Wicks (Best for Small–Medium Jars)

Eco braided wicks are stable, beginner-friendly, and work well with soy wax and blended waxes.

  • Eco Braided Wick – C1
    ✔ Suitable for jars with up to 4.5 cm diameter
    ✔ Ideal for votives, small jars, sample candles
    ✔ Produces a controlled flame and clean melt pool

  • Eco Braided Wick – C2
    ✔ Suitable for jars between 5 cm to 6.5 cm diameter
    ✔ Ideal for standard container candles
    ✔ Helps achieve good melt pool and balanced scent throw

🔥 Wooden Wicks (Best for Large & Premium Jars)

  • Wooden Wicks
    ✔ Suitable for jars with 7 cm diameter and above
    ✔ Ideal for luxury candles and wide containers
    ✔ Creates a wider flame and faster surface melt
    ✔ Adds a soft crackling sound (depending on wax and thickness)

Wooden wicks are especially useful when a single cotton wick cannot cover the full diameter of a large jar.

🧱 Step 3: Choosing the Right Wick for Pillar Candles

Pillar candles require loose, untabbed wicks that can stand on their own and support a deeper melt pool.

🔹 Pillar Candle Wick Guide

  • Thin Loose Eco Wicks
    ✔ Suitable for pillar candles up to 2 inches diameter
    ✔ Helps maintain shape and prevents excessive dripping

  • Thick Loose Eco Braided Wicks
    ✔ Suitable for pillar candles above 2 inches diameter
    ✔ Provides stronger flame to melt thicker wax walls evenly
    ✔ Reduces tunnelling and side wall collapse

🧪 Step 4: Factors That Can Change Wick Size

Even with correct diameter, wick size may need adjustment based on:

  • Wax type (soy, paraffin, blends)
  • Fragrance load (higher fragrance may need a slightly stronger wick)
  • Jar shape (tall vs wide)
  • Additives (Vybar, stearic acid, beeswax, etc.)

👉 This is why wick testing is always recommended, especially before selling.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (AEO Friendly)

What happens if my wick is too small?

The candle will tunnel, produce weak scent throw, and leave unmelted wax on the sides.

What happens if my wick is too large?

The candle may smoke, mushroom, burn too hot, and consume wax too quickly.

Can one wick work for all candles?

No. Wick selection changes with candle size, wax type, and candle style.

Do wooden wicks need special testing?

Yes. Wooden wicks behave differently than cotton wicks and must be tested with your specific wax and fragrance combination.

📌 Quick Wick Selection Summary

Container Candles

  • Up to 4.5 cm diameter → Eco Braided Wick C1
  • 5–6.5 cm diameter → Eco Braided Wick C2
  • 7 cm & above → Wooden Wick

Pillar Candles

  • Up to 2 inches diameter → Thin Loose Eco Wick
  • Above 2 inches diameter → Thick Loose Eco Braided Wick
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