How do I choose a wick?

...which could also help people asking why the candle drowns or why does the candle melt all over the table?

Getting the right wick is critical. The candle needs to burn with a small edge around it. Do candles have a memory for this edge?? NO!!! how could it?

The candle will melt through the wall and create a new melt area if you leave it longer than the first burn. It sounds too good to be true and it is!

• the size of the flame is dictated by the diameter / fatness of the wick

• cotton doesn't 'want' to burn
• the fuel is the melted wax

Some suggestions for sizing:

• the easier your wax melts - the smaller the wick should be. A small flame will quickly get the melting happenning.

• if your wax has a high melt temperature - the wick needs to be larger for a larger flame and more heat.

• if you burn for long periods, over 4 hours, then you may need to use a smaller wick as the flame will warm the candle, making melting easier.

• if you burn for short periods, maybe just at dinner time, then you could use a larger wick to increase the melt area.

On the site we have recommendations to help your first purchase, but I always suggest that you burn your candles and decide for yourself if it suits you.
Container candles are much simpler - you can use ready assembled wick and stabiliser tabs that simply stand in wax once it has begun to set. Because you want the lot to melt with no edge, having a melty wax is preferable and the amount of fragrance can be increased too.