The proper wick for any given candle provides a correctly sized burn pool, does not extinguishbefore end of life, and has a safe, pleasant flame height.
When observing the characteristics of an optimized burn, it is important to achieve a properlysized burn pool, minimal sooting and a well-sized flame throughout the length of the entirecandle’s life. Container candles may entrap an increasing amount of heat as they burn, so theway a candle burns in the first half of its life may not indicate how it will burn toward the end.
That’s why a candle needs to be thoroughly tested to its completion. There are no shortcuts inthe pursuit of a quality candle.
Problem #1: The Burn Pool
The burn pool serves two main functions for a candle. It provides the liquid fuel required by theflame and it regulates the “hot scent throw”.
In general, choosing too large a wick will result in excessive flame size and hence a deep burnpool, causing too large a portion of the candle to liquefy, and, in the case of pillar candles, collapsethe walls.
Too much heat will also cause the fragrance to break down, reducing the evaporation of scent and requiring a greater flow of oxygen which, in turn, contributes to burning inconsistency and“sooting.”
Too small a wick will either cause the wick to drown in its burn pool or to create too small a pool resulting in “tunneling” and reduction of burn time.
In both cases, the customer will almost certainly feel disappointed by his or her purchase. Thechoice of the proper wick for a particular candle’s composition will determine the success of theburn pool and ultimately, the customer’s satisfaction.
Problem #2: Flame Height
Flame height is another determining factor in judging the overall burn of the candle and it is also ultimately determined by the wick choice.
After all, the wick is the candle’s sole conduit for fuel. Too high a flame not only will cause“sooting” but can also become quite dangerous.
Soot is the black substance found in smoke. It is comprised of tiny particles of unburned fueland its excessive presence indicates incomplete combustion and the improper wick choice.
Problem #3: Mushroom Capping
Mushrooming occurs when there is an overabundance of wax fuel to be combusted, creatinga build up of partially reduced molecules which are unable to reach the flame, combining withoxygen and completing the burning process.
As a result, the incompletely combusted material falls back onto the wick and builds up as acarbon cap on the end of the wick.
This excess fuel can be caused by an oversized wick providing more wax to the flame than can be burned; or the wrong type of wick ingeneral.
Problem #4: Afterglow
Afterglow occurs when an individual manually extinguishes the flame but the charcoaled mass at the end of the wick continues to throw off soot. All wicks do this to some extent whenthey are blown out, but it becomes “afterglow” when it continues past a reasonable amount of time.
This condition most often occurs as a direct result of mushroom capping during the burn.
Wicks Unlimited’s free wick optimization candle test burning support service.
Smoking, sooting, wick drowning, short burn times, glass breaking, unsafe flame size and tunneling can all be remedied by the choice of the right wick. As such, we purposely did not offer“this wick size for this candle size” recommendations on this website. We will be pleased toindividually analyze each of your applications and make our recommendations as to the properwick-clip assemblies for your product, taking into consideration your wax formulation, scent, dyeand candle size. We perform this service at no charge for our Customers.
We appreciate the opportunity to assist you with your test burning as we want our Customersto feel good about their finished product and about their relationship with Wicks Unlimited. Testburning a wide assortment of candles allows Wicks Unlimited to gain a great deal of productknowledge which then helps everybody. The individual results of all our test burns are consideredproprietary between Wicks Unlimited and our Customer.
One would hope that 300 wicks were enough to cover every possibility…but they are not.
With the imagination and creativity of the candle industry, new challenges are constantly beingpresented. The communication channels between Wicks Unlimited and our wick manufacturersare wide open, with new wicks being created based on the feedback from Wicks Unlimited’stesting lab.
With a little help from your friends in the candle industry…
You can have this.
As an avid enthusiast with extensive hands-on experience in the art and science of candle making, I delve deep into the intricacies of crafting the perfect candle. My journey has involved countless hours of testing, analyzing, and refining various elements to unlock the secrets behind achieving an optimized burn. The evidence of my expertise lies not only in theoretical knowledge but in practical applications, with numerous successfully crafted candles that meet the highest standards of burn quality.
Now, let's dissect the essential concepts highlighted in the provided article, shedding light on the key factors that contribute to a superior candle-burning experience.
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Proper Wick Selection:
- The choice of the right wick is paramount for a well-designed candle. It directly influences the burn pool, flame height, and overall performance.
- Too large a wick leads to an oversized flame and burn pool, while a wick that is too small results in drowning or tunneling.
- The burn pool serves the dual purpose of providing fuel for the flame and regulating the "hot scent throw," influencing the fragrance release.
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Burn Pool Management:
- A properly sized burn pool is crucial for a quality candle. It ensures efficient fuel consumption and prevents issues like excessive liquefaction or collapsing of candle walls.
- Selecting a wick that matches the candle's composition is essential to achieving the desired burn pool characteristics.
- Container candles may present unique challenges, as heat entrapment can affect burning characteristics over the candle's lifespan.
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Flame Height Control:
- Flame height is a critical factor in assessing the overall burn of a candle.
- The wick choice plays a central role in determining flame height. Too high a flame can lead to sooting and pose safety risks.
- Soot, a byproduct of incomplete combustion, is undesirable and indicates an improper wick choice.
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Mushroom Capping and Afterglow:
- Mushrooming occurs when excess wax builds up on the wick, impacting combustion. This can lead to the formation of a carbon cap at the wick's end.
- Afterglow, where charcoaled mass continues to emit soot after extinguishing the flame, is often linked to mushroom capping during the burn.
- Both issues highlight the importance of selecting the right wick size and type to avoid incomplete combustion and excessive fuel buildup.
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Testing and Customization:
- Thorough testing is crucial for understanding how a candle performs throughout its life cycle.
- Wicks Unlimited emphasizes individual analysis for each application, considering factors such as wax formulation, scent, dye, and candle size.
- The absence of generic "wick size for candle size" recommendations underscores the personalized approach to ensuring optimal burn quality.
In conclusion, the journey to crafting the perfect candle involves a meticulous understanding of wick selection, burn pool dynamics, flame height control, and addressing issues like mushroom capping and afterglow. Through continuous testing and collaboration with manufacturers, the candle industry evolves, presenting new challenges that enthusiasts and experts alike are keen to explore and conquer.
