How to burn and maintain your
Wood Wick Candle
Understanding Wood Wicks
Wood wicks offer a unique ambiance, an amazing crackle and a beautiful horizontal burn, but they're a bit different than their cotton-wicked contemporaries.
However, wood wicks require specific care to perform optimally. Common issues, such as difficulty lighting, excessive flame size, or the wick extinguishing prematurely, can often be attributed to improper trimming. Ensuring the wick is appropriately trimmed and free from charred wood can significantly enhance performance.
Why use a wood wick?
Wood wicks offer a subtle crackle that is reminiscent of a fireplace on a smaller scale, this is an amazing addition to a room's ambiance.
Our wood wicks are less harmful to the environment compared to other wicks, and they are free of wood treating chemicals, making them an all-natural product.
There are two pieces that work together in a candle:
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The fuel - made up of all-natural coconut soy wax with a custom blend of fragrances.
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The wood wick - Coconut soy wax burns at a slower rate and wood wicks work perfectly for a longer, steady burn.
Wood Wick Candle Care
Preparing your candle
Before you burn your candle for the first time, it is important to prepare your wood wick.
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Trim the Wick: Before each lighting, ensure your wood wick is trimmed to a length between 1/6 to 1/4 inch. This precise trimming promotes a steady flame and optimal burn time.
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Remove Charred Wood: After the candle has cooled completely, gently remove any charred wood from previous burns, taking care not to let debris fall into the wax. This minimizes soot, controls fragrance release, and encourages an even melt pool.
Achieving an even burn
On your candle’s initial burn, allow the wax to melt uniformly across the entire surface until it reaches the vessel’s edges. This process, which may take several hours depending on the candle’s size, prevents tunneling—a condition where the candle burns down the center, leaving unused wax along the sides. Dedicating time to this first burn sets the foundation for consistent performance in future uses.
Lighting techniques
When igniting your wood wick:
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Tilt the candle slightly.
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Apply the flame to the entire width of the wick.
This method allows the flame to draw evenly across the wick’s length, ensuring a uniform ignition. Be patient, as wood wicks may take a bit longer to light the first time compared to traditional cotton wicks.
Maintaining candle health
To preserve the integrity of your candle and ensure safety:
Burn Duration: Limit each burning session to no more than four hours. Exceeding this time can cause the vessel to overheat and may affect candle performance.
Storage: Keep your candle in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Exposure to heat and light can alter the wax and fragrance, diminishing the candle’s quality. Once your candle has completely cooled, use the wood lid to protect the wax and wood wick.
Safety Precautions: Always burn candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface, away from drafts, flammable materials, and out of reach of children and pets. Never leave a burning candle unattended.
If your wood wick candle struggles to stay lit, it might be due to an overly long wick or residual charred wood hindering the wax’s ability to fuel the flame. Ensure the wick is properly trimmed and free from debris. Remember, it’s the wax that fuels the flame, not the wood itself.
By following these care guidelines, your wood wick candle will provide a consistent, clean burn, filling your space with your favorite scent and the comforting ambiance of a crackling fire. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at cedarislandcandleco@gmail.com.