wood wick candles

Most people are familiar with a cotton wick candle, but what about the elegantly stunning wood wick candle?

Wood wick candles are a hot commodity right now and everyone and their mom wants them. With an elegant wick, crackling wood and an even melt, wooden wick candles are becoming the go-to for home decor. Wood wick candles need a little extra care due to their nature, so I've put together some tips to ensure your wood wick candles burn perfectly.

Lighting a wood wick

The soy wax of your candle is what fuels a wood wicks flame, keeping it burning. Personally, I would light your candle with one of those long BBQ lighters - it’s just so much easier. Try and light your candle from the base of the wooden wick - the heat of the flame will draw the soy wax through the wick and fuel the flame. Hold the flame to the wick for about 5-10 seconds so the wood catches the flame. you can also hold your candle at an angle to reach the base of the wood. Sometimes the wood is temperamental so be patient!

Keeping your wick lit

No matter if you are using cotton or a wooden wick, the first burn is always the most important. On the first burn, let your candle melt pool reach the edge of the container (about 2-4 hours). Soy wax has a memory, so by letting the candle burn and reach the edge, you will ensure your candle does not tunnel, creating a smooth and even burning surface.

Wick trimming

Okay here is where things get tricky. Wood wicks are not the same as cotton and require more attention when considering height. Your wicks should be sold to you at the right height, but if they are not then they should be no higher than 1/4 of an inch. After you burn your candle for the first time, it’s better to keep your wicks trimmed to about 1/8th of an inch. The wooden wicks need to be closer to the wax surface, in order to feed the flame. Also, be such to pinch off any tiny burnt bits.