FAQ's for Wood Wick Candles

Wood wick candles offer a unique, cozy ambiance with their crackling sound and natural wood appearance. Here are some facts, care tips, and advice on how to get the best burn from your wood wick candles:

Facts About Wood Wick Candles:

  1. Wood Wick Composition: Wood wick candles typically use a wick made from wood (often from soy or cotton blend), which gives a distinctive crackling sound when burned, similar to a small campfire.
  2. Clean Burn: Wood wicks can produce a cleaner burn compared to traditional cotton wicks, as they generally don’t require chemicals to achieve the desired flame.
  3. Faster Melt Pool: Wood wick candles tend to create a quicker, more even melt pool, which can help the scent throw better than other types of candles.
  4. Burn Time: They usually have a slightly longer burn time compared to traditional candles, as they don't require as much heat to maintain the flame.

How to Care for Wood Wick Candles:

  1. Trim the Wick: Although wood wicks don’t need to be trimmed as frequently as cotton wicks, it’s still good to trim the wick to about 1/8 inch before lighting it. This helps the candle burn more evenly and prevents large, smoky flames.

  2. Initial Burn: On the first burn, let the candle burn long enough for the melted wax to pool to the edges of the container (usually 2-3 hours). This helps prevent tunneling, where the wax only melts in the center.

  3. Avoid Drafts: Wood wicks are more sensitive to drafts than cotton wicks. Make sure to burn the candle in an area with little airflow to avoid flickering or the flame going out prematurely.

  4. Extinguish Carefully: Use a candle snuffer or gently blow out the flame. If you blow it out, try to extinguish the flame from the base of the wick to avoid smoke and carbon buildup on the wood.

  5. Clean the Wick: If you notice the wick starts to produce a lot of soot or doesn't stay lit, gently scrape off any blackened or burnt parts of the wick with a knife or cotton swab. This helps maintain a clean burn.

How to Get Wood Wick Candles to Burn and Stay Lit:

  1. Properly sized wick: The wick should be properly sized for the candle. If it’s too small, it may not stay lit; if it’s too large, it might produce a large, smoky flame or burn too quickly. If it’s not lighting properly, the wick may need trimming or adjustment.

  2. Burn the Candle Long Enough: The wick needs time to establish an adequate melt pool. If the candle is only lit for short periods, it may struggle to stay lit and the wax may form a tunnel, leaving unburned wax around the edges.

  3. Check for Wick Dipping: Over time, the wick might start to sink or dip into the melted wax pool, making it harder to light. If this happens, you can gently adjust the wick back into the proper position. * Side note: You can use a toothpick and dig around the wood wick clearing out the excess soy wax, allowing more of the wood wick to show. 

  4. Test Different Lighting Methods: Wood wicks sometimes require a little more effort to light compared to cotton wicks. Consider using a long lighter or matches to light the wick, ensuring you hold the flame to it for several seconds until it ignites.

  5. Light the wick: Make sure to start the light on one end of the wick, allowing the flame to burn across to the other side (usually close to 10 seconds). 

By following these tips, your wood wick candles should burn beautifully and offer that comforting crackle and ambiance for longer.