How to choose the right size wick when double or triple wicking.

Although it is not something we recommend, multiple wicking can be achieved relatively safely in larger diameter glassware that can cope with the heat from more than one flame.  For this reason, and in the interests of safety of all, the following information is intended as a guide to give you the correct initial platform to work from.

You CANNOT just duplicate the wick you use in a single container.  That size wick has a melt pool and flame suitable to that diameter glassware only.  Duplicating it means you are duplicating the heat and flame generated which is extremely dangerous.

In order to choose the correct wick to double wick a glass you need to understand the approximate melt pool size each wick will give you.

In the diagram below we have a 10cm diameter glass.  We have shown an approximate melt pool achieved if you were to use 2 x ACS 5.0 (or 2 x CDN 10).  This would be a recommended starting point.  As you can see it does not cover the whole diameter of the glass however you need to factor in the heat generated by the twin flames and the warmth of the glass as it heats up.  If, by half way through the burn, you are able to see that the wax remaining on the outside of the glass is not going to melt, then you can increase your wick size and test burn again.

Wick placement is crucial.  Too close together, your melt pool will overlap too much and you will not get out to the sides.  Too far apart and your flames may be too close to the surface of the glass.                                                                                                                        

If triple wicking the same concept applies.  Wicks need to be chosen, that when burning together, will give you the approximate same size melt pool as one wick.

The below glassware represents a diameter of 15cm.  Again, if we choose 3 x ACS 4.5 which has an approximate burn diameter of 5.5cm to 6cm, we can see the combined melt pool diameter.  Although it looks on paper as if the wicks are too small, you again have to factor in the heat generated by three wicks and what affect this is going to have on melting the soy

The best way to work it out?  Take one of your jars that you use and know the wick size for and turn it upside down on the jar you are going to multi wick and have a look at the burn pool size that it is going to make. You’re not going to put two medium Monaco wicks into a large Monaco or even two  Cambridge wicks.  Keep detailed notes on how it burns – the mushrooming, how deep is the melt pool? Is it melting all the wax once half way down?

Remember, multi wicking is advanced candle making.  Make sure you are confident with your choices and that you have test burned your jars many times over.  We have seen many beautiful multi wicked candles over the years that are perfectly safe, however we have also seen some candle disasters resulting in personal injury and the loss of homes due to incorrect candle making techniques.