Wick Suggestions: What They Are and What They Are Not

When we provide a wick suggestion, it is exactly that a suggestion.

It is intended to give you a reliable starting point for your own testing, rather than leaving you to start completely from scratch. It is not a guaranteed, definitive answer that says, “this is the exact wick you must use in this jar every single time.”

Why?

Because a candle is a complete system. The wax, wick, fragrance oil, dye, jar, fragrance load, cure time, room conditions and even your making method all work together. Change one part of that system, and the way the candle burns can change too.

Our wick suggestions are generally based on testing with a specific wax type, often unscented, and are designed to get you close — not to replace your own burn testing.

Once you add fragrance oil, colour, additives, or use a different wax, your candle may need a different wick size, series, or adjustment.

This is why proper candle testing is essential.

A wick that performs well in one maker’s candle may behave differently in another maker’s candle, even when the same jar is used. Variables such as fragrance oil behaviour, wax batch, pour temperature, cure time, room temperature, and how the candle is burned can all affect the result.

When using any wick guide or recommendation, we suggest:

• Start with the suggested wick as your baseline.

• Test with your exact wax, jar, fragrance and fragrance load.

• Burn test properly over several burns, not just the first light.

• Watch for signs such as tunnelling, excessive flame height, sooting, mushrooming, overheating, or poor melt pool development."

• Adjust up or down as needed.

Our recommendations are there to help guide you in the right direction, but the final wick choice must always be confirmed through your own testing.

Candle making is part science, part patience, and part “why is this fragrance behaving like it has personal issues?” — but testing is what gives you a safe, consistent, well-performing candle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a wick suggestion guaranteed to work in my candle?
No. A wick suggestion is a starting point based on testing with a specific (often unscented) wax — your exact combination of fragrance, colour, jar and wax may need a different size or series.

Why does the same wick perform differently for me compared to someone else?
Variables like fragrance oil behaviour, wax batch, pour temperature, cure time, and room conditions can all shift how a wick performs, even in an identical jar.

How many test burns should I do before deciding on a wick?
Several — not just the first light. A wick can look fine on the first burn but show tunnelling, sooting or mushrooming issues by the third or fourth burn as the melt pool develops.

What signs tell me my wick is wrong?
Watch for tunnelling, excessive flame height, sooting, mushrooming, overheating, or a melt pool that never reaches the edges of the jar.

Do I need a different wick every time I change fragrance oil?
Possibly. Different fragrance oils burn differently, so switching fragrances — even within the same wax and jar — can sometimes require a wick adjustment.