Did you know that an accurate wick can give you a better overall burning candle? Just like hearing a new song, having a centered wick soundly create a lovely scent. Without a properly centered wick the candle will stop "candling" the way you would like and may burn out or only burn on one side as a result. It's not as easy as it seems so how about this? I will share everything we know step-by-step on how to center a wick to help you get the best out of your candles!
Wick Placement: The First Challenge
The Goal
The overall goal here is to get an "even clean burn" on the candle. Imagine a candle that you've lit, can you see the "melt pool" under it?
One hour is the usual time it takes for anyone can see the melt pool become 2-3 cm larger.
Safety & Asthetics
Learning how to center a wick properly can also lead to better overall safety. Let's think about it, are you aware that most candles that are hand crafted use glass vessels to store the wax in?
As you're well aware, glass can get hot and could create a safety concern while its being burned. Not only that but the candle won't look as appealing to yourself or to others.
How To Center A Wick: The Centering Tool Tip
A great tool to help you would be a centering tool for the wick.
Popular DIY Methods
One of the most popular methods on how to center a wick is actually using a pencil, pen or a popsicle stick. It's as simple wrapping the excess of the wick on the item your using and then gently placing the bottom of the wick to the center of the candle vessel.
Cardboard versions of what we are about to speak of as centering tools is another house-held-item to keep in mind as well.
Centering Tools
There's something called a "wick centerer" which helps a lot on creating a center for your to easily place the wick down as well.
As the wax cools your going to want that wick to be as centered as possible.
Other Details To Keep In Mind
The Candle Vessel
The diameter of the candle vessel your pouring the wax into will dictate the melting pool and the cool and warm scent throw the candle will give off. Ask yourself the question, "what type of wax am I using to make this candle?"
How To Center A Wick: Tough Wax
Using "tougher wax" when its hardened also slows the ability to edit out any wick mistakes as well and may need more hours spent melting the wax down to actually center the wick properly.
Wick Size
How to center a wick properly depends on the wick size itself as well. If the wick is too small it won't create enough heat to burn the candle properly as well. On the other end, if the wick is too large the wax will burn to quicky which can create dreaded "sinkholes".
Candle Won't Stay Lit
Sometimes a candle can get too "stuffed" with fragrance oils and other items added which can halt its performance. Be sure to not use too many items so however be even more sure to use the right materials.
The Most Important Tip
The last tip here? Don't listen to this guide 🕯️. Learn in real life instead! We offer a great way to learn how to do all of this during our candle making classes for small or large groups.
Have questions about "How To Center A Wick" that weren't answered here? Have a suggestion for our next video? Reach out and email me at akeem@candlescartel.com :)
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