Candle Wicks

Candle making has now become not only a hobby, but also a great means of generation some petty income. The supplies that are basically needed to make a candle are one of the many types of candle wax found in the market, candle wicks and anything to decorate the candle. Just as there are many types of candle wax to choose from to make a candle, there are also numerous types of candle wicks to choose from for use when making candles.

The work wick is derived from Old English, German and Anglo Saxon roots. It tends to indicate a bundle of fibers that is braided together. Its intention lies in drawing oil or wax to the flame where it burns in the candle through its capillary action. The candle wick is made of cotton fibers that are spun into threads to be bundled and braided together. It is the space that is found in between the cotton fibers, threads and braids that permits the candle wax to pass through it.

It could be said that the candle wick acts as the fuel pump of the candle as it supplies liquefied wax to the top of the candle where you see most action in the candle. Different sized wicks usually permit varying amounts of wax into the combustion area of the candle. In the case of taper candles, the candle wick is responsible for supporting the layers of candle wax used to create the candle. You have to dip the candle wick numerous times in melted wax where the wick builds sufficient layers of wax to be used in a taper candle.

The zinc cored candle wick is safe and easy to use as it helps in ensuring that the candlewick stands straight and upright. It is usually used for tea lights, container candles and in votives. The flat braid candlewick is usually chosen for novelty candles as these candlewicks fall over its melt pool to snuff out on burning.

Beeswax pillars, taper and rolled beeswax sheets usually need square braid candle wicks in its candles. The pre-tabbed candle wicks are generally expensive as they are specially tabbed candle wicks. These candle wicks are usually used when making container candles, novelty candles, tea-lights and votives. You can decide on the right candle wick for your candle by looking at its ply. The more threads that are braided or spun together in the candle wick, the larger is the melt pool of the candle. This is because these candle wicks tend to consume more wax that other types of candle wicks.

Whichever candle wick you choose for use in your candle, it is important that it is of the right length. The candle wick should be the length of the candle, with a length to be left protruding from the candle. Candle wicks are usually sold by the yard and are found in large spools. It is important to know the diameter of the candle you are making to decide on the right diameter of the candle wick. Naturally, the larger is the diameter of the candle, the larger will the ply of the wick have to be. It is up to you to choose the right candle wick for your candle.

Many candle wicks are impregnated or coated with wax to provide the initial fuel source when the candle is lit. While the wick is consumed in the process of burning a candle the actual fuel for the flame is the melted wax. As such all wicks are treated with several flame-retardant solutions in a process known as mordanting. Without mordanting the wick would be destroyed by the flames and the flow of melted wax to the flame would stop.

Candle wicks are normally made out of braided cotton, and contains a stiff core. This core was made of lead, though lead wick cores have been banned in the US for several decades by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, due to concerns about lead poisoning. Zinc is frequently used as a safer replacement for lead in this application. Other core stiffeners, such as paper and synthetic fibers can also be used.

The characteristic of the candlewick has a major effect on how the candle burns. Large diameter wicks naturally result in a larger flame, a larger pool of melted wax, and the candle burning faster.

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