Making candles is relatively easy, but without a proper wick your candle will not burn properly. Most wicks are string with a waxy coating, but there are other important details you must know about them.
The Purpose Of A Wick
Wicks are designed to allow the candles to burn. The flame stays relatively constant and gently melts the candle around it. Candle wicks are an art unto them, and very carefully made to ensure that they are rigid and long lasting. The design of a wick can influence the entire candle.
The History of A Candle Wick
Originally wicks were probably made from any source that people could use. Some suggest that they were braches or other wooden things with a coating of wax. Cotton wicks were commonly found in oil lamps that were used in the middle ages as lamps. The modern wick wasn’t invented or used until around the 1800s. One day a man named Jean-Jacques Cambaraceres learned that braiding a wick allows it to burn more efficiently than plain cotton alone. Around this time candle wicks were actually made with a lead center but that quickly became a problem due to lead poisoning issues.
Creation of A Candle Wick
Candle wicks are more efficient when woven. After they are properly braided they are treated with special ingredients to ensure that the cord doesn’t burn up entirely. If it were not treated then the candle wick would basically burn away immediately. This special process allows them to burn slowly and steadily. Different candle designs require special formulations of the wick to ensure that it doesn’t get damaged while the candle is burning.
Sizing Of A Candle Wick
Wicks are quite important for homemade candles. While most candle makers buy their wicks pre-made, some people prefer to make them. A properly sized wick will ensure that the candle burns evenly, slowly, and at the right angle to keep the candle safe. Thick wicks are able to burn quickly, but that isn’t desirable.
Types of Wicks
There are many types of wicks that have been designed. Over 100 different styles are used in various candles sold by retailers. Flat wicks, square wicks, cored wicks, and oil lamp wicks are the main types that are used in various candle types. Each one is designed specifically for a type of candle that allows it to burn at its optimum efficiency.
