Ever stared into a flickering candle and wondered—how does that little wick keep burning so steadily? It’s not just a string dipped in wax. It’s actually the quiet MVP of your cozy evening, self-care ritual, or wind-down bath. Let’s break it down.
What Is a Candle Wick, Really?
At its core, a wick is a tiny fuel delivery system. Ours are made from cotton and designed to work seamlessly with our soy wax refills. When you light a candle, the heat from the flame melts the wax near the wick. That melted wax is then drawn up through the wick via capillary action (basically the same science that lets trees pull water from their roots to their leaves).
The melted wax vaporizes at the tip of the wick, and that vapor is what actually burns—not the wick itself. The wick just keeps the wax moving so your flame can keep dancing.
So… The Wick Doesn’t Burn?
It does—but very slowly. And only at the tip. A well-made wick, like the cotton ones we use at ReCandle Co., is designed to burn at just the right rate. That means it stays intact long enough to keep pulling up wax, but not so fast that it becomes a smoky mess.
That balance is everything. If the wick’s too big or burns too quickly, it can lead to big, sooty flames and wasted wax. Too small, and the flame struggles to stay lit. That’s why wick size and material matter—a lot.
Why the Wick-Wax Combo Matters
Wicks don’t do the heavy lifting alone—they rely on the wax to fuel the flame. But not just any wax will do. The way a wax melts, flows, and vaporizes can totally change how the wick performs.
Too soft? You might end up with a drowned wick. Too hard? The flame can struggle to stay lit. That’s why the wick and wax need to be in sync—so the wax melts at the right pace and the wick can consistently draw it up and burn it cleanly.
At ReCandle Co., we’ve dialed in that balance. Our cotton wicks are paired with a soy wax refill that melts evenly, burns efficiently, and helps the whole system work the way it should—steady, clean, and low-maintenance.
How to Keep Your Wick Happy
A few simple habits can keep your candle burning its best:
- Trim the wick to ¼ inch before each burn. This prevents mushrooming and keeps the flame steady.
- Burn long enough for the melt pool to reach the edges (usually 2–3 hours). This helps avoid tunneling.
- Keep drafts away so the flame doesn’t flicker or smoke.
Caring for your wick = better scent throw, longer burn time, and less waste. Easy win.
Why We Love Cotton Wicks
Not all wicks are created equal. Some are stiffened with metals or treated with chemicals. We stick with plain cotton wicks because they’re clean-burning, reliable, and safe to use with our non-toxic, phthalate-free fragrance blends.
Plus, they’re a perfect match for our zero waste candle refills. No weird additives, just a solid flame that gets the job done beautifully.
How Candle Wicks Work
Think of a wick as a wax-powered straw for your flame. It pulls liquid wax up to feed the fire, vaporizes it, and keeps the glow going. It’s simple science, but kind of magical, too.
And when it comes to a clean, consistent burn—your wick really is everything. So next time you light up, give it a little nod of appreciation.