Wick Guide

The Flaming Candle Company wick chart is designed to assist in choosing the right wick in the candle making process. The recommendations below are only meant to serve as a guide in getting started.

Testing is the only way to determine the best wick to use for each candle project.

Higher viscous waxes such as single pour paraffin wax, soy (vegetable) wax, and beeswax, may require up to several sizes larger than the recommendations below.

When performing testing, always take detailed notes and remember there are a variety of factors that can determine the appropriate wick size to achieve optimal burning characteristics. Factors that can influence the proper wick include: wax type, type and amount of fragrance oil, amount of dye used, container size and shape, and additional additives (vybar, stearic acid, etc.) used in each particular candle making project. Changing any of these variables can affect the candle burning characteristics.

PREMIER 700 Series Wicks: The Premier 700 Series are flat braid cotton core wicks made from textile-grade cotton. They can be used for tealights, votives, pillars, and container candles. They work well in both paraffin and soy waxes. They are designed to be clean burning with less mushrooming. Unlike most other wicks, the Premier 700 Series comes in many different sizes, allowing for better wick precision to achieve optimal burning candles.

Zinc Core Series Wicks: Zinc core wicks are cotton braid with an inner zinc core. They can be used for tealights, votives, pillars and container candles. They typically work best in paraffin waxes and can be used in soy waxes. They are designed to promote maximum rigidity to remain straight in melted wax. Zinc core wicks are one of the most common types of wick used in candle making. Zinc core wicks can potentially mushroom more than other wicks, but this can be minimized by using the proper wick size and keeping the wick trimmed.

HTP Wicks: HTP wicks are coreless, cotton flat braid wick with paper filament throughout, providing increased rigidity. They can be used for tealights, votives, pillars and container candles. HTP wicks are versatile and can be used in both paraffin and soy waxes. They are designed to work well in viscous waxes and are self trimming with a slight curl. HTP wicks are created to reduce carbon buildup, which leads to increased soot.

ECO Wicks: ECO wicks are a coreless, cotton flat braid wick with paper filament throughout, providing increased rigidity. They can be used for tealights, votives, pillars and container candles. ECO wicks typically work best in soy waxes, but may be used in paraffin waxes with a lower melt point. They are self-trimming and clean burning with minimized mushrooming, soot and smoke. 

Wooden Wicks: Our wooden wicks perform well in paraffin, soy and palm wax. They are known for their distinct crackle or sizzle sound when burning in finished candles.

CD Wicks: CD wicks are a coreless, cotton flat braid wick with paper filament throughout, providing increased rigidity. They can be used for tealights, votives, pillars and container candles. CD wicks are versatile and work well in more viscous waxes, such as single pour paraffin and soy (vegetable) waxes. They are self-trimming and designed to promote a consistent burning flame.