Even if you’re a total newbie, wood wicks are easier to get started with than you think.
When compared to ordinary cotton wicks, their elusive and distinctive properties appear to be a difficult for new candle makers, but they aren’t once you understand them.
Building wood wick candles is similar to making regular candles. In all situations, you melt and burn wax with a wick in the centre – the only variation is the pattern of the wick.
It is not simple to choose a candle wicks, but adding wooden wicks follows the same procedure as previously.
Most people choose hardwood wicks because they are attractive and have a crackling effect.
Candle producers that use them in their product line may easily distinguish themselves in the market by delivering a modern and attractive look in comparison to typical cotton wicks.
How To Make Candles With Wood Wicks?
Choosing An Initial Wick
It takes several steps to choose the correct wick for a wood wick candle:
1. Determine the appropriate wick size and type for your wax and container diameter.
2. Prepare and label your container with the wick from step one, as well as containers for bigger and smaller wicks:
For example, if you’re using paraffin wax in a 3″ container, a 0.02 x 0.5′′ Crackling Flat wick is recommended (single-ply).
Prepare a container for one size higher (0.02 x 0.625′′) and one size down (0.02 x 0.375′′).
Mix your wax and fragrance oil and pour into prepared containers.
Perform a burn test after curing them for the required period (depending on the wax).
Performing A Burn Test
A burn test, often known as a wick test, ensures that the wick passes two criteria:
- Safety
- Efficiency (scent throw)
Typically, performance is not explicitly tested until a safe wick is established, which may take many rounds of testing.
The process for testing wooden wick candles is the same as for testing cotton wick candles, with one exception: cut your wick to less than 1/4′′ before each burn.
This isn’t a necessity, and it’s technically not by ASTM 2417, however, leaving hardwood wicks in place for too long causes them to burn too brightly and hotly. The optimal flame height is around 1/2″.
Repeat The Following Instructions Until The Candle Fails Or Runs Out:
1. Arrange all of the candles you’re testing on a level surface in a room with no breeze, 8″ apart. Ascertain that the temperature is between 68°F and 86°F (20°C and 30°C).
2. Trim each wick to 1/8′′ in height.
3. Light the candles and set a four-hour timer. The test should last four hours exactly.
4. Every hour during the test, if any of the following events occur, the candle is deemed hazardous and a new wick is required:
- The temperature of the outside container exceeds 150°F.
- The container is cracked or broken.
- Candle spills or tips
- There is more than one flame per wick (this is called secondary ignition)
- The wick releases a lot of black smoke, more than you’re used to.
- Flame is taller than 3″
- 5. If you make it four hours without any of the above happenings, blow out the flame and let the candle cool for 5 to 6 hours before starting a fresh test.
Wood wick candle wick designs should not be deemed finished until they reach the end of their useful life without failing.
What Causes Wood Wicks To Crackle?
A wood wick’s natural appearance implies that it contains a lot of plant material.
If your hardwood wick isn’t crackling, it’s most likely not genuine! They have cellulose trapped in the structure of the wick, similar to a wildfire.
While burning, cellulose turns into a gas and attempts to escape via the wood pores.
But It Cannot Be!
The gas eventually grows to the point where it explodes from the pore, destroying the cell walls and producing a cracking sound.
Because so many people seek this one-of-a-kind feature of wooden wicked candles, understanding the physics behind it lets you to explain it to consumers (or yourself, if you like).
Aside from the wick, obtaining a powerful crackling is dependent on a few additional elements. You may influence the outcome by paying attention to:
• Type Of Wax: Soy and higher-density waxes are more effective in masking the impact than paraffin and palm.
• Fragrant Oil: Higher fragrance loading can enhance crackling depending on the oil, although the reverse effect might also occur. Whatever you’re attempting to do, testing will properly point you.