The Best Wicks for Soy Candle Making
Soy candles are popular for their clean and long-burning capabilities. They also produce little or no soot and no toxins. But what is the best wick for soy candles?
The most important factor to consider when selecting a wick for soy candles is burn stability. This is important to ensure a complete burn of the soy wax and avoid potential fires or any other safety concerns. There is a variety of wicks you can use for soy candles, and choosing the correct one will highly depend on the container size, wax type, and fragrance load.
Below is a breakdown of the best wicks for soy candles to help you make the right selection:
Choosing the Right Wick Material
The best materials used in candle wicks include cotton, bamboo, and paper threads. When it comes to handmade candles, cotton is the most suitable type of wick material and can be used with all waxes, even with the toughest paraffin wax. Bamboo wicks, on the other hand, are best suited for soy candles using fragrance oils as they offer an enthusiastic flame.
Wick Size for Soy Candles
The size of the wick is determined by the diameter of the candle and the type of wax used. The following table shows the recommended wick size for various diameters of soy candles.
| Candle Diameter (in) | Recommended Wick Size |
|---|---|
| 2 | CD6 |
| 3 | CD7 |
| 4 | CD8 |
| 5 | CD15 |
| 6 | CD20 or CD25 |
| 7 | CD30 or CD35 |
Testing Your Wick
Before using your wick for a soy candle, it is important to do a test to ensure proper performance. This will help you to adjust the wick size and shape, if needed, before you make the entire candle. To properly test your wick, all you have to do is:
- Fill a container with soy wax and let it cool.
- Position the wick at the centre of the container. Make sure to keep it straight and secure it in place with a skewer.
- Light the candle and observe the flame size and shape.
- If the wick doesn’t burn with the desired flame, trim the wick and start the test again.
Common Wick Problems
There are several problems that may arise when choosing the wrong wick for soy candles.
- Mushrooming: This usually happens when the wick is too large, causing the flame to become overly large and releasing too much carbon dioxide.
- Tunneling: This happens when the wick is too small for the candle and causes the wax not to completely burn, creating “tunnels” in the candle.
- Smoke or Soot: This is usually caused by an incorrect wick or when the flame is too far away from the wick.
Conclusion
Soy candles are gaining more popularity with each passing day, especially as people become more aware of environmental concerns and the health hazards of burning traditional candles. As a result, it is important to select the right wick for soy candles to ensure a clean and optimum burn. The best wicks for soy candles include cotton and bamboo, while selecting the right size is determined by the container size, wax type, and fragrance load. If the wick is the right size and material, then the best way to test it is to fill a container with wax, position it carefully and light the wick. This will help to ensure that you don’t experience any common wick problems.
Happy candle making!
Welcome to my candle making blog! In this blog, I will be sharing my tips and tricks for making candles. I will also be sharing some of my favorite recipes.
