Candle Zinc Core

Zinc Core 36-24-24 candle wick - 50 yards

You are purchasing a spool of 50 yards of Zinc Core 36-24-24 wicking. Recommended for use in novelties, votives, containers 2"-3-1/4" in diameter.


You are purchasing a spool of 50 yards of Zinc Core 44-24-18 wicking. Recommended for use in novelties, votives, containers 2"-3-1/2" in diameter

Cotton Core 44-28-18 wick - 50 yards

You are purchasing a spool of 50 yards of Cotton Core 44-28-18 wicking. Cotton core wick produces the hottest flame of all the cored wick and will help control carbon buildup. This

wick is constructed of 100% natural fibers. Can be used for large size Pillar candles 3"-4" in diameter and also for large container candles 3"-4" in diameter.



wick is constructed of 100% natural fibers. Can be used for medium size jar candles 2"-3" in diameter and small to medium pillar candles 1-1/2"-3" in diameter. Can also be used for

votives 1"-1-3/4" in diameter.


You are purchasing a spool of 50 yards of Cotton Core 51-32-18 wicking. Cotton core wick produces the hottest flame of all the cored wick and will help control carbon buildup. These

wicks are constructed of 100% natural fibers. Can be used for medium-large size Pillar candles 2"-4" in diameter and also for large container candles 3"-4" in diameter

FLAT BRAIDED 45 ply wick - 50 yards

You are purchasing 50 yards of Flat Braided Wicking 45 ply. Recommended for common type candles 4-1/2"-5" in diameter. Buyer pays fixed amount of $4.00 for shipping to any US

location

SQUARE Braided Wick #3/0 - 50 yards

You are purchasing 50 yards of Square Braided Wicking #3/0. Recommended for common type candles 1"-2" in diameter, 1/2"-3/4" beeswax tapers.


You are purchasing 50 yards of Flat Braided Wicking 36 ply. Recommended for common type candles 4"-4 1/2" in diameter.


You are purchasing a spool of 50 yards of Square Braided Wicking #2/0. Recommended for common type candles 2"-3" in diameter, 1/2"-7/8" beeswax tapers.

PAPER CORE 34-40 Wick - 50 yards

You are purchasing a spool of 50 yards of PAPER CORE 34-40 wicking. This wicking burns hotter than zinc core wicking but not as hot as cotton core wicking. Can be used for small jar

candles up to 2" in diameter


You are purchasing a spool of 50 yards of Square Braided Wicking #5/0. Recommended for common type candles up to 2" in diameter.

Zinc Core 34-40 Wick - 100 yards

You are purchasing a spool of 100 yards of Zinc Core 34-40 wicking. Can be used for small containers 1"-2-1/2" in diameter, pillars 1"-2-1/2" in diameter and small votives 1"-1-3/4" in

diameter.


You are purchasing a spool of 100 yards of Flat Braided 15 ply candle wicking. Also referred to a Regular Ply or Classic wicking. This wick provides a slight curl when burning to reduce carbon build-up throughout the life of the candle system. (Self-trimming). Recommended for

use in common type candles up to 1" in diameter. Can also be used in dipped tapers.


You are purchasing a spool of 50 yards of Cotton Core 60-44-18 wicking. Cotton core wick produces the hottest flame of all the cored wick and will help control carbon buildup. These wicks are constructed of 100% natural fibers. Can be used for large size Pillar candles 3"-4"

in diameter and also for large container candles 3"-4" in diameter.

Zinc Core 44-28-18 wicking - 50 yards

You are purchasing a spool of 50 yards of Zinc Core 44-28-18 wicking. Recommended for use in novelties, votives, containers 2-1/2" to 3-3/4" in diameter.

FLAT BRAIDED 60 ply wick- 50 yards

You are purchasing 50 yards of Flat Braided Wicking 60 ply. Recommended for common type candles 5"- 6" in diameter

Zinc Core 62-52-18 wick - 50 yards

You are purchasing a spool of 50 yards of Zinc Core 62-52-18 wicking. Recommended for use in container (jar) candles 4-1/2" to 6" in diameter.


You are purchasing a spool of 50 yards of Zinc Core 51-32-18 wicking. Recommended for use in novelties and jar candles 3" to 4" in diameter

PAPER CORE 44-24-18 Wick - 50 yards

You are purchasing a spool of 50 yards of PAPER CORE 44-24-18 wicking. This wicking burns hotter than zinc core wicking but not as hot as cotton core wicking. Can be used for

medium jar candles 2"-4" in diameter



wick is constructed of 100% natural fibers. Can be used for medium size jar candles 2"-3" in diameter and small to medium pillar candles 1-1/2"-3" in diameter. Can also be used for

votives 1"-1-3/4" in diameter









PAPER CORE 51-32-18 Wick - 50 yards

You are purchasing a spool of 50 yards of PAPER CORE 51-32-18 wicking. This wicking burns hotter than zinc core wicking but not as hot as cotton core wicking. Can be used for

large jar candles 4"-5" in diameter.

SQUARE Braided Wick #5 - (75 yards) - 1/2 pound

You are purchasing 1/2 pound (8 ounces) of Square Braided Wicking #5 containing about 75 yards of wicking. Recommended for common type candles 6"-7" in diameter.

SQUARE Braided Wick #1/0 - 336 yards - one pound

You are purchasing a spool of 336 yards (one pound) of Square Braided Wicking #1/0. Recommended for common type candles 2"-4" in diameter. This is a self trimming

bleached square braided wicking that is ideal for Beeswax candles but can also be used in paraffin based candles.

Choosing the Right WickChoosing the proper wick is not the only factor in obtaining an optimum candle burn but is

without question the most important. The proper wick for any given candle provides a correctly sized burn pool, does not extinguish before its wax is exhausted, and has a safe,

pleasant flame height.Through extensive test burning, Wicks Unlimited has developed a set of guidelines used to

narrow the wick choice down from the wide range of wicks we offer.For example, we know that the same wick will not necessarily suit both dark and light candles alike, as dark colors tend to require a larger size wick to burn effectively. Accordingly, we are able to rule out some of the smaller wicks before we begin any testing. If we needed to test burn every wick with every candle, the process would take far too long, so it is helpful to use

our experience in the search for the perfect wick.

Test Burning the WickEmploying a wealth of experience in test burning, Wicks Unlimited chooses several wick

candidates for optimal burn and tests each one to completion to find the best possible choice, ensuring our customers' candles burn optimally from start to finish.

If we are unfamiliar with a customer's product, we normally request one or two of their candles with their present wick selection to use as a control. In addition, we request four

more candles, poured but without wicks, which we use in our testing. We require a full set of these six candles for each scent and die combination submitted for testing.

It is imperative that our customer has settled on the final composition of their candle since any changes to scent, die or oil content can affect the candle's burn greatly

Choosing the Right Wick-Wax and Clip

Why Do You Need the Clip?In the past, the clip was a “taken for granted” part of the candle. Today, that is not so. Today, the clip takes on new responsibility in providing an increasingly important measure of safety to the

user. As the longer length clip safely extinguishes the flame as it enters the barrel, your concerns about trapped heat or igniting

residue at the bottom of the candle also diminish.In the cost savings area, our new line of self-centering wick-clip assemblies will now allow you to drop and pour, saving time and

money, fingers and glue.

Choosing the Appropriate Wick-Wax Choose the appropriate wick-wax for your candle. When using non-metal cored wicks, there is

the potential challenge of the wick-wax melting and the wicks flopping upon pour. A similar situation can occur in a 180° burn pool where the standard wick-wax will melt, and the wick

may wind up floating in the burn pool. These issues can be rectified by using a 210° high melt wax in conjuction with the non-metal cored wicks.

For those customers offering 100% plant-derived candles, we offer a 100% vegetable based wick-wax.

Wicks Unlimited's Wick-WaxesWe've searched the market place for the finest wick-waxes. Wicks Unlimited offers a choice of

three different wick-waxes; Standard, High Melt, and Vegetable wick-wax.All of our waxing machines were engineered to our exacting specifications, ensuring a continuous and complete saturation of the wick. They are exclusive to Wicks Unlimited.

Description Nature Drop Melt Point

Standard Wick-Wax Paraffin Based 162° F

High Melt Wick-Wax Paraffin Based 210° F

Vegetable Wick-Wax Vegetable Based 176° F

Wicks Unlimited's Wick-ClipsOur clips are manufactured to the specifications of our parent company, Stimpson Co., Inc., commonly referred to as the world's leading manufacturer of quality metal fasteners and an

ISO 9001:2008 certified company. All of our clips are manufactured from .010 tin coated steel, 25% heavier than many of the

clips currently being offered. This ensures the strength of the clip as it accepts the crimp and stabilizes the wick-clip assembly.

The Clip Does More Than Support The Wick:Wicks Unlimited offers steel tin coated clips in five different heights as

necessary to ensure the safety of your candle.

Standard Length 3.8 mm .150”

Medium Length 6.0 mm .236”

Safety Length 10.0 mm .394”

Super-Safety 13.0 mm .510”

Super-Safety Plus 14.5 mm .571”

Wick-WaxesWe've searched the market place for the finest wick-waxes. Wicks Unlimited offers a choice of

three different wick-waxes: Standard, High Melt, and Vegetable wick-wax. All of our waxing machines are engineered and built to our exacting specifications and are

exclusive to Wicks Unlimited. Our goal in the design of these machines was 100% predictability in the quality of the waxed

wick, whether used in the production of our wick-clip assemblies, or sold on reels to our customers.

Choose the Appropriate Wax When using non-metal cored wicks, there is the potential of the wick-wax melting and the

wicks flopping upon pour. A similar situation can occur in a 180° burn pool where the standard wick-wax will melt, and the wick may wind up floating in the burn pool.

These issues can be rectified by using a 210° high melt wax in conjuction with the non-metal cored wicks.

Wicks Unlimited Wick-WaxesDescription Nature Drop Melt Point

Standard Wick-Wax Paraffin Based 162° F

High Melt Wick-Wax Paraffin Based 210° F

Vegetable Wick-Wax Vegetable Based 176° F

Wax Penetration of Wick

There is a difference in Wick-WaxingWicks Unlimited’s waxing procedures saturate the wick to its core by gently forcing air out of

the raw wick. This allows the wick to burn in a more uniform and predictable manner, and makes it easier to work with in production.

About Vegetable Waxes And CombustionPlant-based waxes have now become viable fuels for the candle industry alongside the more traditional fuels. The all-natural, easily-renewable ingredients of vegetable waxes appeal to

retail customers’ environmental sensitivities and combustion emissions concerns.Two examples of these products are 100% Soy Oil and Palm Oil derived waxes.

Soot IssuesWhen these compounds are burned, they create a number of by-products of combustion, one

of which is soot. This soot is less visible than other combusted fuels in that it, in general, is tan in color compared to macro-particle black carbon chains.

Wicked candles will overwhelm clean efficient combustive reactions and produce black soot and smoke regardless of the wax origins. Therefore, proper wick sizing is the key to optimum

vegetable-based candle burning as much as it is in any other candle product.

Wick ChoiceIn general, wicks with high liquid flow characteristics are more compatible and successful with

vegetable-based fuels. The plant-derived wax is more viscous when liquified, requiring an unimpeded conduit for maximizing capillary action.

Non-cored wicks usually will allow a more predictable and consistent flow of molten wax because they have less material density in their total surface area than cored wicks. The exceptions to the rule are cored wicks that are directional, since they are engineered to

promote liquid flow in one direction more than the other.

In these types of wicks, the design is effective in metering the melted liquid at a consistent flow rate which increases the predictability and lessens the fluctuations in the candles

burning. More about wicks..

Vegetable Wick-WaxAlthough candles made from plant-based waxes can use both petroleum and vegetable-basedwick-waxes with equal success, for those manufacturers desiring to remain 100% vegetable-

based, Wicks Unlimited offers a 100% vegetable-based wick-wax with a drop melt point of 176° F

Why Choosing the Right Wick, Wax, and Clip are ImportantIn the search for the optimum candle burn, there are other physical issues to keep in mind.

Wicks Unlimited's dedication to quality ensures the best possible choices for all your candles.

The Centered WickA very important characteristic of a correctly burning candle is that the wick is centered

inside the candle from top to bottom. An off-center wick can often make even the perfect wick choice look like a poor one by

consuming a disproportionate amount of wax in one area of the candle, overheating the side closest to the flame and, in turn, exhibiting an overactive flame and sooting. As you might imagine, the side farthest from the flame normally remains unconsumed. This unattractive

result normally leaves the customer feeling cheated.For those candles which are not pre-glued, Wicks Unlimited has developed a line of self-

centering wick clips which are offered for votive to apothecary size candles. The aim is to allow our customers to simply drop the wick in, pour the wax and straighten the wick.

Adequate Crimp PressureMany of the wick-tabbing machines on the market today produce a crimp strength which

varies over the course of the production run. A weak crimp can cause the wick to be pulled from the tab during the straightening process on the production line. This unfortunate event

renders the candle unburnable.The minimum suggested crimp hold is 2 to 3 pounds of tensile strength. Wicks Unlimited

insists upon 4.5 to 9.5 pounds, ensured by our computer-controlled crimpers and then tested by pull gauges at various points in the production run.

Uniform Wick HeightIn candle manufacturing, the ideal wick will be exposed 1/4" above the top of the candle.

Wicks exceeding that length, when lit, will have the tendency to produce too large a flame and to smoke excessively as the candle struggles to secure its initial fuel supply. Trimming

the wicks while on the production line to compensate for this excess length adds an additional step to the manufacturing process.

Wicks Unlimited's wick clip machines can cut to customer requirements at 1/64" increments, usually eliminating the need for any wick trimming.

Safety (Self-Extinguishing) Wick TabsWick tabs with overall heights of 6 and 10 millimeters are now becoming commonplace in the

candle industry, replacing the 3.8 millimeter tabs which were standard at one time. As the flame cannot proceed lower than the top of

the tab, the taller tabs naturally keep the flame higher off the floor of the candle than the 3.8 mm tabs. This inhibits the ignition of carbon deposits

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which may be lying on the floor of the candle hence increasing the overall safety of the candle.

The longer wick tabs are more expensive due to a more involved manufacturing process required to produce them and some candle manufacturers may feel that their customers will perceive the additional wax left at the bottom of the candle at the end of its burn as waste, but the more safety-conscious candle manufacturers opt for the longer tabs citing safety as

one of their biggest concerns.For maximum safety, our optional non-puncturing crimp prevents the wick tab from being

pierced in the crimping process. The piercing of the wick tab enables enhanced crimp pressure, but can also allow for the possibility for wax to be drawn through the tear in the

wick clip wall, possibly feeding the flame until the wax level of the candle reaches the crimp level. With the eyelet thoroughly glued in place shutting off wax to the bottom of the wick

tab, the non-puncturing crimp cuts off fuel to the flame when the wax level reaches the top of the wick tab. Although this leaves more wax on the bottom of the candle, in doing so, it

provides for an increased measure of safety, as although the flame can never go lower than the height of the wick tab, the level of wax in the candle possibly can.

Tails of Wick Clip AssembliesMany wick clip assemblies in the industry have a small tail of wick extending from the base of

the clip.However, a good clean cut, flush with the bottom of the clip is preferable not only for

appearance but to ensure that the wick clip assembly extends straight up at a 90° angle from the base of the candle, providing the proper start to a perfectly centered wick.

Wick CollapseNon-metal-cored wicks are prone to flopping when certain candles are poured or during the

burn when the burn pool is excessively hot and deep, at which point the wick wax melts away leaving the wick to support itself without its wax sheathing.

These problems can be rectified by using our high melt wax which has a drop melt point of 210 degrees Fahrenheit.

Common Burn IssuesThe proper wick for any given candle provides a correctly sized burn pool, does not extinguish

before its wax is exhausted, and has a safe, pleasant flame height. When observing the characteristics of a proper burn, it is important to achieve a properly

sized burn pool, minimal sooting and a well-sized flame throughout the length of the entire candle. Container candles may entrap an increasing amount of heat as they burn, so the way

a candle burns in the first half of its life may not indicate how it will burn toward the end.That's why Wicks Unlimited tests each candle to its completion. There are no shortcuts in the

pursuit of a quality candle.

The Burn PoolThe burn pool serves two main functions for a candle. It provides the liquid fuel required by

the flame and it regulates the "scent throw."

In general, choosing too large a wick will result in excessive flame size and hence a large burn pool, causing too large a portion of the candle to liquify, and, in the case of pillar

candles, collapse the walls. Too much heat will also cause the fragrance to break down, reducing the disbursement of

scent and requiring a greater flow of oxygen which, in turn, causes burning inconsistency and "sooting."

Too small a wick will either cause the wick to drown in its burn pool or to create too small a pool resulting in "tunneling" and reduction of burn time.

In both cases, the customer will almost certainly feel disappointed by his or her purchase. The choice of the proper wick for a particular candle's composition will determine the success of

the burn pool and ultimately, the customer's satisfaction.

Flame HeightFlame height is another determining factor in judging the overall burn of the candle and it is

also ultimately determined by the wick choice.

After all, the wick is the candle's sole conduit for fuel. Too high a flame not only will cause "sooting" but can also become quite dangerous.

Soot is the black substance found in smoke. It is comprised of tiny particles of unburned fuel and its excessive presence indicates incomplete combustion and the improper wick choice.

Mushroom CappingMushrooming occurs when there is an overabundance of wax fuel to be combusted, creating a collection of partially reduced molecules which are unable to reach the flame, combine with

oxygen and complete the burning process.

As a result, the incompletely combusted material falls back onto the wick, and through molecular attraction, builds up as a carbon cap on the end of the wick.

This excess fuel can be caused by an oversized wick providing more wax to the flame than can be burned; or the wrong type of wick in general

AfterglowAfterglow occurs when an individual manually extinguishes the flame but the charcoaled

mass of wick at the end continues to throw off soot. All wicks do this to some extent when they are blown out, but it becomes "afterglow" when it continues for minutes.

This condition most often occurs as a direct result of mushroom capping during the burn

Combustion 101All combustion takes place on the outside edge of the flame where oxygen and heat are at

their maximum. CO2 + H2O +Heat +Light

In ideal complete combustion, combustion is completed outside of the flame, where oxygen is present.

Ideal Complete Combustion

Ideal combustion is completed outside of the flame, where oxygen is present.

Incomplete Combustion

Incomplete combustion occurs when there is more fuel present than can be combusted by the flame. As a result, not all the fuel is completely broken down and is cast off into the

environment in the form of soot.

Diffusion

Diffusion is the process of liquified wax penetrating the wick's cotton fibers.

Capillary Action

Capillary action is the method by which fuel is pulled up into the wick by the combustion of the flame.

Vaporization of Fuel

Vaporization of fuel is required to complete the combustion process. The wax cannot be consumed until it is transformed into a gas.

Fuel Reduction

Mushrooming, carbon capping, or carbon deposits are the result of unburned fuel and soot accumulating on the end of the wick.

Atkins & Pearce Candle Wicks Atkins and Pearce is the leading supplier of candle wick to North America. Wicks Unlimited carries in inventory over 125 different wicks from Atkins and Pearce’s extensive line of high

quality wicks... available for just-in-time shipment.

Cotton and Paper Core Wicks

A cotton outer braid surrounds an inner filament of cotton or paper. Both wicks are commonly used in votives, pillars and containers and are constructed with 100% natural fibers.

The cotton core wick produces the hottest flame of all cored wick which helps control carbon buildup. The paper core wick produces a cooler flame than the cotton core but offers more

rigidity.

Zinc Core Wicks

This wick has a cotton outer braid surrounding a thin filament of zinc. Zinc core wick produces the coolest flame and offers the most rigidity of all cored wick, providing support during

pouring and burning.

Concern over trace elements of lead has resulted in the Consumer Product Safety Commission defining a lead cored wick to be one containing greater than .06% lead by weight in the

metal. Zinc wire has a maximum level of lead impurities of .004%, well below the standard.

HTP Wicks

The HTP wick is flat braided in design, but with thin paper fibers intertwined. The result is a cleaner burning, self-trimming wick with additional structural strength, controlled curling and

a hotter, more efficient flame.

Combined with Wicks Unlimited’s high melt wax coating, the HTP wick is an excellent alternative in hard-to-burn applications and is a good all around choice for paraffin, gel and

vegetable candles that require hotter burn conditions.

Performa Wicks

Performa wick is a non-curling flat braided wick with a high stalk height. These features promote a more symmetrical wax pool and self-trimming posture. Its reinforced design

provides increased rigidity in the wax pool as well as in drawing some of the harder to burn viscous waxes.

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Performa wick is appropriate for applications such as tapers, pillars, beeswax, viscous waxes and medium to large containers.

Ply Wicks Ply wick has a decorative appearance and is commonly used in dipped or molded self-

supporting candles, such as tapers and pillars. This wick is designed to provide a slight bend when burned, which allows for an even burn and a reduction of carbon formation at the wick’s

tip.

Aroma-Lite Wicks

A corded wick constructed of 100% natural fibers. This newest generation of Atkins & Pearce wick is specially engineered to burn in candle systems with high levels of fragrance.

This blend of all-natural braided textiles is designed especially for those tough-to-burn container and pillar systems. Aroma-Lite is also designed to reduce and/or inhibit carbon

heading.

Square Braided Wicks This is a square braided, bleached cotton wick, structurally having a very open matrix and slight curl when burning to minimize carbon buildup. Its open construction and chemical treatment process makes it an excellent choice for waxes that are highly viscous when

melted, like beeswax and vegetable wax.

Citronella Wicks This wick is ideal for buckets and large jars. It is made from oversized cotton to provide the

highest output of citronella.

All About Wicks...

Understanding Wicks Wicks come as pre-tabbed wicks or by the spool (or yard). Pre-tabbed wicks have a stiff wick and a silver base called a Tab. Wick tabs come in many sizes, but the most common sizes are 15mm and 20mm. This measurement is for the round disc base. The metal stem on the base is called the Wick Collar (or neck). Collars also come in different lengths.

For making gel candles it is recommended that you use a wick tab with a collar no less than 6mm long. All our wick tabs are 9mm. This is to stop the candle burning when the flame reaches the bottom of your container. A wick that continues to burn too close to the bottom of the glass container will most likely heat the glass enough to break it. By using a longer wick collar, your flame will extinguish before it gets too close to the glass base. If you are making candles with sand or decorative items please read Wick Stop Safety.

Pre-tabbed wicks are necessary for making votives and container candles (both paraffin and gel). Spool wick is usually used for pillars and tapers.

Have you ever wondered what all those wick numbers mean? Wicks have from 1 to 5 numbers which actually have meaning even to the beginning candlemaker. For example, we sell wicks with a series of 3 numbers and a "Z" at the end. Each wick will create a different flame height, meltpool and rate of wax consumption.

The first number tells you the wick size. The size of the wick is determined by how many spools of yarn were used to make the wick. The higher the number, the larger the wick. Hence, the larger the meltpool (which can mean better fragrance throw), and usually the higher the wax consumption.

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The second number indicates the speed at which the wick was sent through the braiding machine. The higher the number, the faster the speed, the tighter the braid. The tighter the braid, the less fuel consumption.

The third number/ last number is a code for the temperature of the wax as the wick is fed through the gears of the braiding machine.. This temperature varies according to the previous numbers.

The last letter is as follows:

Z=Zinc CoreP=Paper CoreC=Cotton CoreH=Hemp

So . . . why so many different wick types?

The different types of wicks are:

1. Flat braid cotton - This wick is most commonly used in tapers and pillars. This wick type curls into the flame while burning which causes a self-trimming effect and virtually eliminates carbon build-up (also known as mushrooming).

2. Square braid cotton - These braided wicks also curl in the flame. Because they are more rounded and a bit more robust than the flat wicks, they are preferred in beeswax applications and can help inhibit clogging of the wick when there are higher levels of non-combustible material (such as high pigment or fragrance). These wicks are used most frequently in taper or pillar applications.

3. Cored Wicks - Zinc, paper, cotton or hemp. The need for cored wicks arose with the popularity of container candles and their need for a rigid wick that would remain supported and centered in the hot melted wax. These are also braided wicks with a cross section. They are used in jar candles, gel, pillars and votives. (NOTE: Wicks used in votives, jars and gels require a wick tab for keeping the wick centered and/or fastened. The zinc, paper and cotton cored wicks were developed to take the place of lead core wicks. The USA no longer permits lead core wicks to be manufactured here.

4. HTP Wicks - The American version of the "German Wick". HTP stands for High Temperature Paper. This wick is wax coated and is a cotton flat braid with a strand of paper braided into it for hotter burning. These are a rigid wick and are also self-trimming, thus reducing the carbon build-up common to the zinc core wicks. Used in jar candles, gels, votives and pillars.

5. Specialty Wicks - i.e. fiberglass wicks, wicks used for citronella, tea lights, oil lamps, and other applications.

Which wick should I use? This is the most common question we are asked. Understandably so considering the goal of every candlemaker is to produce a slow and clean burning candle with a great scent throw. In order to achieve this you must discover the right wick with the right wax. Even the most experienced candlemaker will tell you that the only way to definitively answer that question is to TEST, TEST, TEST. You may want to try our Wick Slab Test. The wick that works best in your candle may not work so well in mine. Why?

The different components in a candle which effect the burn quality of a particular wick are:

Diameter of Candle Type of Candle (Container or Free-Standing) Fuel type (Gel, paraffin, Beeswax, Soy/Vegetable, Palm, Liquid) Wax Meltpoint Additives Dye Color (Light or Dark) Fragrance or Non-Fragrance

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Different wicks produce different results in each candle. The differences you should notice as you burn a candle are meltpool size, flame height, and burn rate (the amount of time it takes a particular wick to consume all the wax in the candle).

It's always best to begin your observation with a non-fragranced and non-dyed candle. In other words, only the wax and wick. The following considerations are a starting point in your testing process. Once you have achieved the safest and best burning candle, each time you change one ingredient, you must re-test. Candlemaking is a science and requires extensive experimentation in order to achieve a safe quality product.

Factors to Consider

* Diameter of Candle - The first factor to consider is the diameter of your candle. The relationship between the wick size and candle diameter will affect the meltpool of your candle. A smaller diameter candle requires a smaller wick while a larger diameter candle requires a larger wick, and in some cases, multiple wicks. As you burn your test candle, observe how much wax the candle consumes. Is it leaving a large portion of unmelted wax around the parameter? Is it burning the entire diameter of the candle and spilling over? (Not good if you're making a pillar candle ~ Great if you're making a container candle!) Is the flame smoking? Does the flame keep extinguishing?

If the flame keeps extinguishing, your wick is too small. If it is smoking, it is too large? (I was observing a new wick size the other day and made a candle with a #6 wick. That's a very large wick. I knew the wick was too large, but wanted to observe it anyway, so I took the candle home to observe the burning. My hubby wanted to know if I was trying to burn the house down :-) The flame was almost 4" high, the smoke detector alarm was going off, and I still didn't have a meltpool anywhere near the size I wanted.)

By the way, I'm still trying to properly wick that candle. It is a heart shaped pillar. Because of it's irregular shape and large size I've determined I will have to triple wick it and probably need to use a lower meltpoint wax.

* Type of Wax - Gel burns at a hotter temperature than paraffin/wax, and therefore requires a larger wick than a paraffin candle of the same diameter. The same is true for Beeswax. Since Beeswax is a much harder wax than paraffin, it usually requires a size larger wick. Soy/Vegetable container wax has a low MP and will require a smaller wick than the same size paraffin candle.

Wax meltpoints for paraffin can range from 120* to 165*. And the meltpoint can reach 230* with microcrystalline and additives. The meltpoint is the temperature in which the wax melts. This usually requires a smaller wick, while a high MP wax will require a larger wick. You must consider this while still factoring the diameter of the candle.

NOTE: If you do not know the meltpoint of your wax you can determine it by using this procedure: Completely melt your wax and then turn off the heat. Using your thermometer, observe the temperature which the wax begins to harden. This will help you determine the meltpoint.

To relate the first 2 considerations: A 2" pillar candle using a paraffin wax of 145* MP will usually require a smaller wick than a 2" pillar using a 165* MP wax.

For a 3" container candle - A 3" gel container is going to require a larger wick than a 3" paraffin container. (NOTE: paraffin container candles usually are best when made with a low MP wax i.e. 128* MP).

* Additives - Adding Vybar, Stearic, Crystals and other hardeners will effect the wick size. Hardening the wax can cause the perfect wick to become too small for the candle. Often you will need to move up a wick size once adding a hardener.

* Type of Candle - You must consider the type of candle you are making. Votives are usually burned in a container and completely liquify when burning. The same desired result is true with container candles. On the

other hand, pillars are a disaster if they totally liquify, or even have such a large meltpool that the melted wax is flowing over the edges.

* Dye and Fragrance - Dye or fragrance can be a clogging culprit in your candle. A clogged wick will not continue burning. Once you choose the correct wick for your test with the wax and wick only, you will find that once you add fragrance or dye, you may need to change the wick size. Some fragrance is thicker than other fragrance, and thus a different fragrance added to the same candle may require a different wick. Even if it is the same flavor, but you bought it from a different supplier.

NOTE: Do not use melted crayons to color your candle. This is sure to clog your wick. Too much candle dye can also clog a wick.

For Gel candles you have to use gel-safe fragrance or embed frangranced wax into the gel. For information on fragrance please go to About Gel.

After writing this article, I came across Diane's Wick Testing Warning. I thought it was worth posting here since we're discussing this very issue. Here it is:

"Hi everyone...I am cross posting which I never do because I want to make sure new people read - this is one reason to test, test, test. Feel free to copy this post to send to new candlemakers.

I made candles years ago and have made them for the last two years. I have tested various wicks..they has to fit your formula. I was having some problems with my current wicks and had read about the Performa on various egroup list. So I ordered some to try. I am looking for a new votive wick. So I read the burn rates and decided to try the smallest (60) Performa in my votives. My votives are very low mp designed to liquefy and burn away completely.

***I ALWAYS (thank God) test burn my votives in a snug fitting holder. Put that holder on a ceramic dish and put a hurricane glass over it. Roomy enough for air flow. All for safety. I also test burn in the bathroom or kitchen on ceramic countertops. This is how the test went:

Test burn 1...burn 4 hours. Flame was a little high to start with, not self trimming like the LX wicks but overall it's looking good. Let candle cool down.

Test burn 2...trim wick to l/4 inch and lit votive. This is a beautiful flame. Votives is burning nice ... burn time is going great. Burn it about 6 hours and notice the whole thing is liquid so I blow it out.

Test burn 3...same votive. Trim wick. Begin burning. I'm loving this flame...beautiful...great throw. So I keep checking it. Going great over the hours. Wick doesn't need trimmed.

By this time it is evening and I'm not thinking I need to hover over this candle anymore. I'll let it keep burning to see what the final burn hours are for the votive.

I'm watching TV and one of my cats (out of 10) keeps coming in the LR staring at me. So I walk over to pet him. He wraps himself around my legs and walks down the hall. Then comes back...wraps around and walks back down the hall. So I follow him. I see flashes of light that are brighter than they should be coming from the bathroom. Look inside and the votive was on fire. Flaming fire! It was contained inside the container...remember my safety rules. Otherwise my bathroom would have been in flames and my Grandson was sleeping in the bedroom that backs that bathroom.

This is why....test, test, test every time you change something. That flame looked great all day, every day I burned it. Everything was beautiful. If I had not burned that votive all the way down I would not have known it could flash fire with my formula.

http://www.moonglowcandles.net/projects/i-aboutgel.htm

My hypothesis is that my formula is low temp...the wick burned hotter so when it got down to the last 1/4 inch wax it overheated and caught fire. I know it wasn't a flash from unmixed scent because of the way I cook my formula. I burn one of every batch of candles I make all the way down to see how the final flame is. If I had not tested this wick in this way then I would have given this away and it would have happened to one of my friends or children who are not as cautious as I am. I always test like I think someone who doesn't know anything about candles will burn their candle. They aren't going to trim it regularly or hover over it. They are going to light it and walk away.

I want to stress there wasn't anything wrong with the wick. It was the combination of wick and my formula was a bad fit. After further research on these wicks I read on one information place that these wicks are good for soy. If you only have a high temp wax to work with these might be some wicks you want to try. I have some 140 I'm going to mix up and see how they work. Just for the experimenting side of candlemaking :-) Everyone have a great day! Diane in FL"

Wick Size Guidelines:

We have suggested uses for each size of wick on our Wick Page . This will give you a starting place for your wick testing.

http://www.moonglowcandles.net/wicks.htm

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