Wick 101
Wicking is a balancing act, and when it’s off, your candle will let you know. So how do wicks actually work?
Wick 101
How do Wicks Work?
Science time! When a wick is lit, the heat from the flame melts the surrounding wax. The wick then uses capillary action to pull that melted wax upward, feeding the flame. Finding the right wick is a common question among candle makers, as it significantly affects how your candles burn. Wax type, candle size, fragrance, dye, additives, and even your container all play a role. With so many variables, testing is key to finding your perfect match.
Understanding Wick Sizes
If you’ve looked at wick listings, you’ve probably seen names like CD 4 or ECO 10. These numbers represent the thickness-size of the wick. Within the same series, a higher number means a larger wick – so an ECO 10 is always bigger than an ECO 8.
One important note: sizes are not comparable across different series. An ECO 8 is not necessarily the same size as a CD 8.
Choosing a Wick Type
Our wicks come pre-primed (pre-waxed), cut to specific lengths, and tabs have already been crimped on. Which makes them ready for immediate use. We offer three different wick series ECO, CD, and LX.
CD Series
CD Wicks are flat braided cotton wicks woven with paper fibers, giving them extra strength and steady performance. Built for candles with higher fragrance loads and for softer more viscous natural waxes, they keep your flame consistent and your scent throw strong.
ECO Series
A reliable choice for soy candles, this wick offers steady burn performance and works well in votives, containers, and pillars. It also pairs nicely with wax blends and low melt point paraffin waxes. ECO wicks are made from braided cotton and reinforced with delicate paper threads.
LX Series
LX Wicks are built for control, giving your candles a steady flame and a cleaner burn in paraffin and vegetable waxes. These coreless, braided cotton candle wicks feature stabilizing threads that help maintain a controlled flame while minimizing carbon buildup, soot, and afterglow.
Choosing the Right Wick
The only way to know if you have found the right wick is to conduct a burn test. It’s time to burn baby burn. Watch your flame, your melt pool, and look out for smoke, soot, or mushrooming. A good wick will produce a steady flame without excessive flickering and create a full melt pool within 3 to 4 hours on the first burn. After that, thanks to wax memory, it should reach the edges more quickly.
