by Michelle Anders
The candle wick is the most important element of the candle. It's like the engine that makes the entire candle "go." How a wick works is actually quite basic though. When lit, a candle wick essentially does two things:
First, melt wax; second, absorb wax.
These two things create a sort of fueling cycle for the candle. The wax that is melted by the burning wick in turn is absorbed into the wick and acts as the fuel which keeps the wick burning.
When making candles, it's important to choose the right-sized wick. A wick that's too small will starve a flame. On the other hand, a wick that's too large will become overloaded with melted wax, will deplete the candle's fuel too quickly, and will burn poorly.
Generally speaking, a good way to determine the right-sized wick to use for a candle is to consider the size the finished candle will be. A bigger candle will usually take a thicker wick. But there are other factors, such as the type of candle you're making and the type of wax being used, that you'll also take into consideration.
What's nice about making your own wicks is that you can always have a wick that's the right size at the ready. It's easy and efficient to make wicks in a variety of lengths and thicknesses and just store them wrapped in newspaper to have on hand when needed.
How To Make Candle Wicks
In one form or another, wicks have been around for as long as there have been candles. In the 19th Century, however, the stabilizing effect of boric acid on candle wicks was discovered, and candle wicks have been made pretty much the same way ever since.
This is what you'll need to make your own wicks:
* Salt * Borax * Water * Cotton twine/string * A hand towel/paper towels * Wax * Double boiler * Tongs * Newspaper
Mix together a batch of boric acid solution from 1 tablespoon of salt, 2 tablespoons of borax, and 1 cup of hot water. Cut lengths of twine, and let them soak in the boric acid solution for several hours.
When the twine has finished soaking in the boric acid solution, dry it thoroughly with a towel. Divide the twine into groups of three strands that are the same length, and then braid the strands.
Melt the wax in a double boiler. Dip the braided twine one at a time into the wax by holding one end of each with the tongs. After the twine has become saturated with the wax, remove it, and dip it in water. Allow the twine to dry completely by laying it out on a towel.
You now have primed wicks for candle making that you've made yourself!
Your completely dry wicks will store nicely, rolled up in newspaper and set aside in a cool, dry place until needed.
Tips: If you need a thicker, stiffer wick, you can just dip the twine in the wax a second time. Cotton kite string can be used just fine as the twine to create your wicks.
Michelle Anders is an experienced candle maker who enjoys giving tips about candle making on her website, AllAboutCandleMaking.com. On her site she gives additional <a href="http://www.allaboutcandlemaking.com">Candle Making Instructions</a> and tips on other candle making subjects such as <a href="http://www.allaboutcandlemaking.com/beeswax_candle_making.html">Beeswax Candle Making</a>, and plenty more.
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New Unique Article!
Title: Make Your Own Candle Wicks
Author: Michelle Anders
Email: talpomh@gmail.com
Keywords: candle wicks,making candle wicks,candle making,candle wick making
Word Count: 509
Category: Hobbies
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