A great candle can instantly transform a room with a heavenly aroma and a calming glow. But the scent and burn of your favorite candle isn’t just down to olfactive preferences or the size of the room; it also depends on how the candle was made, whether its wick is properly sized and maintained, and whether it’s kept away from other elements that interfere with its flame, such as moving air.
To start, choose a candle holder that fits your container and ensure the wick is not too long or too short. In most cases, the wick should be just visible through the opening of the jar or candle glass to avoid smoke, mushrooming (carbon build-up), or a drowned wick. Then, measure the diameter of your candle holder or cup using a ruler. Once you know the measurement, select one or more wick series to start with.
Choosing a starting wick size can be tricky because of the differences between different types of waxes and additives like dyes or scents. Some of these factors influence how the wax melts, which in turn determines the wick’s performance, including how fast or slow it burns and how easily it tunnels. To find the best wick, most candle makers recommend building three candles at a time with each having a different wick size to see what works.
A well-built, high-quality candle will last longer if the wick is properly sized and maintained, allowing it to burn evenly until it runs out of wax. To achieve this, it’s important to trim the wick before each burn so that it remains upright throughout its lifespan. Also, keep it away from other elements that can disturb its flame, such as fans or air conditioners, open windows, or crowded areas where people move back and forth.