Guest Author - Lori Bartel

Have you ever lit a candle and within less than an hour you had wax running down the side and getting all over your countertop? Or maybe after lighting the wick you find it being snuffed out by it's own pool of melted wax, both would indicate the wrong size wick was chosen.

Making sure you use the right size can make all the difference in the success of your burn. Although trial and error will always be the best way to determine you've chosen the right candle wick, you can follow this guideline when choosing your wick.

Candlewick is determined by its ply, which is the number of threads spun or braided together. The larger the ply means the larger the melt pool and the more wax your wick will consume.

Size of Wick
If you're buying wick from a large supplier you'll most likely find it on large spools and it will be for sale by the yard. Before purchasing spooled wick, know the diameter of the candle you'll be pouring. The larger the diameter, the larger the ply of the wick. Example, for a 3-4" diameter pillar candle you would need a 36 ply wick, where if you're making a 2" diameter pillar you would choose a 34-37 ply wick.
Type of Wick
Now you'll need to decide the right type of candle wick, here's a guideline:
Zinc Cored - Considered to be safe and some candlemakers find it easier to use because it aids in the candle wick remaining straight and upright, it's usually used for tea lights, votives and container candles.
Flat Braid- Primarily used for novelty candles. When burning these wicks will typically fall over into their own melt pool and become snuffed out.
Square Braid - Most widely used and typically chosen for beeswax pillars, taper and rolled beeswax sheets
Pre-Tabbed Wicks - These wicks have been tabbed for you, for a bit more expense, you might find it worth it. Primarily used for container candles, votives, novelties and tea- lights.