Making candles: Choosing and preparing the wick
Do you know how to choose a wick and place it in a candle? If not, keep reading!
Wicks come in different diameters and are chosen based on the width of the candle you plan to make. The #1 wick is perfect for tealight candles, for example, and the #7 is used for pillar molds. If the wick is not wide enough, only the centre of the candle will melt.
Wick tab holders
Wick tab holders are used to keep wicks in place at the bottom of candles.
How to prime the wick
Wicks can be difficult to handle: they must be pushed through the hole in the metal core and then kept straight while you pour the wax. This can be awkward and create a bit of a mess. But there’s a way to simplify the procedure; it’s called “priming the wick.” Here’s how to do it:
1. In a double boiler, melt the wax for the candle.
2. Immerse the entire wick in the melted wax.
3. Place the wick on a sheet of aluminum foil, making sure it is straight.
4. Let cool, then place the wick in the freezer for a few minutes.
5. Remove it from the freezer and push it through the hole in the wick tab holder.
6. Pinch the metal core with a pair of pliers to hold the mesh in place.
7. Your wick is now ready! Pour the wax while using chopsticks or popsicle sticks to hold the wick in the centre of the container. Let harden.
6 Comments
Heather
Hi,
I ordered wicks but I forgot to ask if your wicks are 100% cotton. Are they led free too?
Coop Coco
Hello Heather,
Our wicks are 100% cotton and led free.
Have a great day!
Jackie
Hi there, so I am making soy 444 wax candles in a 500 ml glass jar, what # wick should I use?
Coop Coco
Hello Jackie,
You have to measure the diameter of your container and select the wick according to that number.
Wick #1 is recommended for 4.5 cm. (1.8″) diameter candles such as tea lights.
For 5 cm. (2″) diameter candles, we recommend wick #3
For 6.1 cm. (2.4″) diameter candles, we recommend wick #5
For 7.1 cm. (2.8″) diameter candles, we recommend wick #7 – for mason jars or candle jars, for example.
Have a nice day!
Candice
Hi,
Am I able to use the wick without dipping it in wax? Will it still burn?
COCOÉCO
Hello Candice,
It is possible not to prime the wick, however there are several things to take into consideration:
– it will be necessary to hold your wick (using a wick centering device for example) while the wax solidifies, to prevent the wick from sinking to the bottom of your candle.
– it will be more difficult to pass a non-primed wick through the base of the candle, because it is less rigid.
– the wick may have difficulty igniting the first time.
Hope that helps!
Have a great day :)