In this lesson, we’ll learn how to choose wicks for pillar candles.Choosing a wick for pillar candles is quite different from choosing one for container candles, as the goals are completely different. Here, we don’t always aim to melt the wax all the way to the edges.
First, I want to say that a wick can only be considered incorrectly chosen in one case — if the wick drowns in the wax and goes out. In other cases, it simply doesn’t meet your preferences.
It’s important to determine what you want from the candle:• To melt the candle completely
• To avoid wax spilling and create a tunnel burn inside, etc.
Let’s break down these two main options:
First option: The candle melts completelyFor this, we choose a larger wick. If the mold is wide or generally large, we can even use several wicks.
Second option: The wax doesn’t spill and burns in a tunnelIn this case, we need a smaller wick, one that’s not appropriate for the diameter of your candle (for example, if you have a pillar or botanical candle). You must conduct tests, following all the rules, to make sure the wick doesn’t drown in the melting wax.
If you want a different effect, write your request in the chat, and I or other experienced candlemakers will help you find a solution.
When can’t the wick create a tunnel burn?A candle won’t burn evenly in a tunnel if it isn’t round. For example, a female torso mold. If you use too small a wick, the middle of the torso will burn down, and the edges will remain untouched. It’s normal if some corners don’t burn, but when about ⅔ of the candle is left unburned after use, it’s time to buy new wicks and continue testing.
Also, you can’t get a tunnel burn effect with dinner candles. For an obvious reason — they are just too small in diameter. Plus, you are unlikely to find wicks that burn for a 1 cm diameter. For a standard dinner candle mold, regular wicks from AliExpress are perfectly fine.
One more important point: For pillar candles, use wicks without wick holders. That is, not ready-made container wicks, but wicks on spools.
• First, they are thinner and more flexible, so it’s easy to thread them through the mold.
• Second, these ready-made wicks bought from marketplaces are often designed for larger diameters, as they are intended for container candles.
- Third, the length of these wicks doesn’t always fit molds. They are often too short for things like dinner candles. After a standard torso mold, you’ll have a short piece of wick that you won’t be able to use for another candle. With spooled wicks, the situation is the opposite — you can cut exactly as much as you need.