How Do Candle Wicks Work

Candle wicks may seem like a simple component of a candle, but their role is crucial in ensuring a proper burn and optimal performance. Let's delve into how candle wicks work and why they are essential for your favourite candles.

At its most basic level, a candle wick is the part of the candle that ignites and burns, allowing the wax to melt and vaporize, creating a flame. But there's much more to it than meets the eye.

The primary function of a candle wick is to draw liquid wax from the candle's reservoir (the pool of melted wax) up to the flame, where it vaporizes and burns. This process, known as capillary action, is essential for maintaining a steady flame and ensuring that the candle burns evenly.

Candle wicks are typically made from braided or twisted fibres, such as cotton, linen, or paper, although some speciality wicks may incorporate additional materials like metal wires or cores. The choice of wick material and design depends on factors such as the type of wax used, the candle's size and shape, and the desired burn characteristics.

When you light a candle, the heat from the flame melts the wax near the wick, creating a pool of liquid wax. The wick absorbs this liquid wax through capillary action, drawing it upward toward the flame. Once the liquid wax reaches the flame, it vaporizes and combusts, producing light and heat.

But why do some candles have different wick sizes or shapes? The size and shape of a candle wick directly influence the rate at which the wax is drawn up and vaporized, as well as the size and stability of the flame.

For example, a larger wick will draw up more liquid wax, resulting in a larger flame and faster burn rate. Conversely, a smaller wick will draw up less wax, producing a smaller flame and a slower burn rate. By selecting the appropriate wick size and shape, candle makers can control factors such as burn time, fragrance throw, and overall performance.

In addition to size, wick composition and design play a crucial role in how a candle burns. Some wicks are treated with chemicals or coatings to enhance their performance, such as increasing their stability or reducing soot production. Others may incorporate additional materials, like metal wires or cores, to provide structural support or improve burn characteristics.

Furthermore, the way a wick is braided or twisted can affect its performance. Wicks with a tighter braid or twist tend to burn more slowly and produce a smaller flame, while those with a looser braid or twist burn more quickly and produce a larger flame. Candlemakers may experiment with different wick designs to achieve the desired burn characteristics for their candles.

But what happens if a wick is too large or too small for a candle? A wick that is too large will draw up too much liquid wax, leading to a large, flickering flame, excessive soot production, and uneven burning. On the other hand, a wick that is too small will struggle to draw up enough wax, resulting in a small, weak flame and tunnelling (uneven burning).

To ensure that a candle burns properly, it's essential to choose the right wick size and shape for the candle's size, shape, and wax type. Candlemakers often conduct extensive testing to determine the optimal wick for their candles, taking into account factors such as burn time, fragrance throw, and visual aesthetics.

In summary, candle wicks are much more than simple strands of fibre. They are integral to the functioning of a candle, drawing liquid wax up to the flame and ensuring a steady, even burn. By selecting the right wick size, shape, and design, candle makers can create candles that burn cleanly, efficiently, and beautifully. So the next time you light your favorite candle, take a moment to appreciate the humble wick and the crucial role it plays in your candle experience.