How do I choose a candle wick?
Short answer
Match the wick to the container's diameter and your wax, then confirm it with a burn test. The book calls this one of the hardest parts of candle making.
Explanation
The right wick gives good fragrance throw and a safe burn. In the book's projects: a 250 ml glass takes a 24-strand braided cotton wick or a wooden wick; a 13 cm cake mold takes a 45-strand braided wick; a botanical pillar 10–11 cm across takes a 24-strand wick; a small 3–7 cm container needs at least a 10-strand wick.
With stones as decoration, wooden or cotton both work. With dried flowers, use braided cotton only, because other wicks risk strong flaring.
What to do
- For molds, cut the wick to 12–13 cm, soak it fully in melted wax, then thread it through a wick holder.
- Always confirm a new combination with a wick test.
Source: The Big Book of Sweet Dessert Candles — Which Wick Is Best?