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How to choose a wick

The wicks are an integral part of every candle, providing the flame that melts the wax and releases the fragrance. 

Most high-quality wicks are made of twisted, braided or knitted fibres, which promote a slow and even burn. In general, twisted wicks are of lower quality than braided or knitted wicks. They burn more quickly because their loose construction allows the fuel to reach the flame quickly. However, twisted wicks are more useful for certain applications, such as birthday candles.

The most common wicks are made of cotton, paper and wood. The wick material influences the burning speed, the size of the flame, the release of smoke and the diffusion of the candle scent.

Each wick has a certain number of threads, denoted by a number in the wick name. The higher the number, the larger the diameter of the candle for which the wick is intended. The diameter refers to the size of the wax pool that will form around the wick as the candle burns. The actual diameter depends on the wax material, the manufacturer and the making process. The diameters given are only indicative and the most suitable wick can only be found by experimentation.

How to choose a wick

To help you decide which wick to use more quickly and easily, we invite you to consult this table (below). For example, if the wax of choice is soya, you can choose from FD, Stabilo and ZG wicks respectively. The wick size should then be chosen accordingly, depending on the diameter of the candle to be made - please refer to the description of each wick for the wick size and candle diameter correspondence. 

Please note that the parameters given for each wick are only indicative and the most suitable wick can only be found by experimentation.

Stabilo FD TG LX ZG Wooden
Soy X X X
Paraffin X X X X X
Stearin X X X
Palm X X X
Coconut X X
Olive X X
Rapeseed X X
Gel X X X X
Powder X X X
Bees X

You can also use the manufacturer's wick configurator to find out the best size and wick type for your candle.

An insight into each type of wick

Our range includes only the highest quality German-made wicks, which are the favourite of most candle makers - professionals and amateurs alike. Below is a brief description of each wick model.

The Stabilo waxed wick with metal sustainer is a 10-12 cm long, waxed, flat braided wick around which a special paper fibre is woven. These wicks are ready for easy and comfortable use and are sold by the number. It can be used for container candles (candles in a container), freestanding candles (staves) and tea lights. It is also ideal for vegetable waxes (soy, coconut, olive) as well as paraffin wax. Ideal for loose powder waxes due to their ease of use.

Stabilo wicks without sustainer are the same as the previous wicks but are not waxed, are without backing and are sold by the metre.

FD is a 100% cotton flat candle wick that is versatile and can be used for all types of waxes. It performs very well in stearin, paraffin and palm wax candles.

TG is 100% cotton wick for stearin, palm wax and paraffin candles. Flat with extra threads for structural stability.

LX is a 100% cotton wick for paraffin candles. Flat with extra threads for structural stability.

ZG is a 100% cotton flat candle wick with a diameter for extra large candles, designed for vegetable waxes, most notably soy wax. Also used with coconut wax, olive wax and paraffin wax. 

The wooden wick is particularly suitable for use in container candles, but can also be used for free-standing candles (only candles with a flat surface). Choose the desired size, cut the wick to the desired length and attach it to the wooden wick base (sold separately). The wick will burn best if it protrudes no more than 5 mm from the wax at the time of lighting.

Wood wicks burn best in paraffin, paraffin-stearin mixtures or stearin. The burning quality in soy wax or rapeseed wax is not optimal and it is imperative to use two wicks together or a double wooden wick.

A double wooden wick is specially designed for soya and other vegetable waxes. Also burns well in paraffin, paraffin-stearin mixtures or stearin.

What else can be useful when working with a wick

  • Wick base - for wooden wicks and cotton wicks
  • Stickers for wick base to fix the wick to the bottom of the container so that it does not move when the wax is poured
  • Wick holder - wooden or metal to fix the wick to the top of the container so that it does not move when pouring the wax
  • Awl to punch a hole in the silicone mould and pull the cotton wick through

We hope that this detailed description will help you choose the right wick for your future candles. See all the wicks in our range. May beautiful candles be made!

Posted in: Candles

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