Wooden Wick Troubleshooting
Wooden wicks are far dreamier and create more ambiance than traditional cotton wicks, but they can be a little tricky to burn if it's your first time using them.
We strongly believe in burning wooden wick candles right to begin with to prevent these issues, but it happens!
Here are some tips to get the best results from your candle
The first burn is the most important, it sets the stage for the rest.
Be sure to allow your candle to create a full melt pool so that the wax pool goes all the way to the edge of the jar, on the first use (and every use). Did you know, candles have a sort of "wax memory," and once a burning pattern has been established, it can be hard to change.
If you don't allow your candle enough time to form a full melt pool during the first burn, it will start tunneling, which will affect your candles' performance. When tunneling occurs it will get more and more difficult to reach a full burn pool. Eventually, this will result in your candle fizzling out because it won't be able to stay lit.
Our candle jars have a 3.75 inch diameter, so it can take 3-4 hours to reach a full melt pool. Soy wax often takes longer to melt, so enjoy the slow burn!
Trim your wick!
If your candle won't stay lit, it's probably because you need trim your wick. Unlike traditional cotton wicks, wooden wicks may not even stay lit for long if you don't trim in before every use. For an optimal burn, trim your wick to around 1/8" to remove any burnt wood.
Remember, the wooden wick is not fueling your candle's flame, it's the wax! If your flame can't draw from the wax, it won't stay lit.
Here are some ways you can trim your wick:
- Wick trimmer
- Old nail clippers
- Use a napkin or fingers to pinch off the charred bits
If your candle is already tunneling, don't freak out!
If your candle has already started tunneling because of shorter burn times, there are a couple techniques you can use to fix it.
The first method, if your candle will stay lit, is to allow your candle to burn for a long period until all the wax is melted to the edge of the jar. The flame height may vary but as long as there is still a flame, it will continue to create a melt pool. During this method, there is a chance that the candle won't stay lit because it's "drowning" in the wax pool.
If your wick won't stay lit because it's "drowning" in the wax pool, try using a paper towel or napkin to soak up the excess wax. Wait a few minutes and try relighting your candle. You may need to repeat this process a few time until your wick has room to breathe.
Remember, using preventative measures is always better than trying to fix the problem! If you follow our candle care tips, your wooden wicks should not have any issues.