Imagine relaxing on your sofa mesmerized with the aroma of your lavender-scented candle, and then wondered what is candle wick made from? It is such an essential part of our beloved scented candles, of course. But, what is it made from?
The purpose of the wick is to add fuel to the flame. The wick acts like a gasoline pump, drawing liquefied wax into the flame and burning it. Different wick sizes can inhale different amounts of fuel into the flame.
If there is too much fuel, the flame will burn, and it will go away. There is not enough fuel, and the flame goes out. There are hundreds of cores of various shapes and sizes.
Characteristics of a Candle Wick
Before getting into what is candle wick made from, let us go through the wick characteristics; stiffness, diameter, bonding, and fire resistance affect how a flame burns. The wick consists mainly of fine wire, such as copper, which makes the wick strong and acts as a conductor. It can then conduct heat downwards, making the wax easier to melt.
You can also use synthetic fibers and paper to harden the wick. Lead has been used in the past but has been banned in the United States and other countries. It is mainly because of the risk of lead poisoning.
A wick with a flat braid is made on its own. As a result, they bend back into flames when burned. Wicks are usually pretreated with a flame retardant solution such as salt and borax. It is to prevent destruction in a fire.
What Is Candle Wick Made From
So, what is candle wick made from? The wick can be made from various materials. So, let us tackle these all together.
Cotton Wick
Cotton wicks are made from braided, braided, or knitted fibers. The cotton core may also contain a core material with a reinforcing function, such as paper, zinc, tin, or copper. This heartwood keeps the wick upright during the candle-making process.
Moreover, it prevents it from sinking into the wax as it is too soft when burned. You can also soak the cotton wick in brown to keep it straight and stiff. Second, candle wicks can be treated with fire-resistant materials.
It helps to prevent the wick from being destroyed by the flame during combustion. You don’t want the fuse to fire too quickly. Third, the wick can be treated with other materials that help improve the quality of the flame.
These could be brightness, color, and consistent hardness as the wick burns. But the wick doesn’t have to be too stiff. The wick must be strong enough to stand while making the candle.
Then, as you bake, twist the wick so that the tip of the wick is at the edge of the flame. Fine cotton wicks should be dried to prevent mold growth. Curling wicks are designed to “self-clean,” but adding too much flavor or other additives to the wax can clog the wick.
A curling wick is good, while too much curl is terrible. It is especially the case if you start re-dipping it in wax or let it dry on its own. Finally, the wick can be treated with a substance that improves paraffin’s “capillary” flow to the flame.
Zinc-Core Wicks
Zinc-core candle wicks are cotton braided wicks with zinc as the core material. This zinc-core stabilizes the candle wick and makes it harder, greatly helping and simplifying the candle-making process. However, zinc-core wicks burn cooler than other wicks and are the hardest.
It is recommended to use paraffin wax and can also be used for gel wax. In addition, zinc-core wicks are recommended with natural waxes such as beeswax, soy wax, palm wax, and coconut wax. Finally, you can use zinc core wicks to make containers, votives, candles, poles, and gels.
Zinc-core wicks do not dry quickly, so they are prone to mold. Zinc-core wicks are widely used to make candles from paraffin wax containers. But you must trim them each time they are burned.
Paper Core Wicks
Paper core wicks can be made with or without cotton. The finished paper wick with no cotton is not as hot as cotton, but it is harder. Paper core cotton wicks are very hot and can create large puddles of melting.
These are best suited for candles in large containers. But you can also use paper wicks for vows and tealights. Paper core wicks are best used with paraffin wax.
Wooden Wicks
Wooden wicks are a novel addition to the candle-making business. Wooden wicks are relatively modern phenomena that exist solely for aesthetic and euphonious purposes. Wooden wicks are classified into two types; the hard one and the soft one.
Softwood wicks are said to be preferable. They make a crackling and popping sound when they burn, similar to a wildfire. Although the wick can withstand it, it is not suggested that you add too much scent to obtain a good “crackle and pop.”
Finding the correct amount of aroma, color, and wax is essential for achieving a pleasant crackling. Wooden wicks can be made from a single piece of wood or from many parts of the wood that have been pressed together. There are also wooden wicks that may be customized, painted, or curved.
Woody wicks can be manufactured entirely from a wood-cotton blend or a fully fibrous rigid substance. Wooden wicks are often utilized only in the medium to big container candles. You should not use wooden wicks in pillars or votives.
It is typically not advisable to use wooden wicks when producing little soy candles smaller than 3 inches in diameter. Wooden wicks perform well with natural waxes and can tolerate fragrance-heavy waxes. However, as previously said, if your wax has too much smell, you will not obtain a decent cracking sound.
Conclusion on What Is Candle Wick Made From
Knowing what is candle wick made from is vital when making candles. Famous candle makers carefully select the right size, shape, and material core. It is to meet the burning needs of a particular candle and avoid lighting your curtains on fire.