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Mushroom wicks: Avoiding basic issues
When it comes to making candles, there are so many elements to get right. Whether it’s the type of wax you use, the temperature you add your fragrance oil, or a common element of candle making that crops up time and time again is finding the right wick. Ensuring you have the right week is hugely important. With their being so many to choose from, it can be hard to know which one you need. often , when you don’t have the right wick to suit your candle, you may see the effects of mushroom wicking. In this blog we will be looking at what mushroom wicking is, how to prevent it and most importantly how to ensure you choose the right wick for your candles.
What is mushroom wicking?
Mushroom wicking is the name given to wicks that resemble a mushroom once burnt. Simply, a mushroom wick occurs when the wax of your candle is unable to burn fast enough to keep up with your chosen wick. This means that the wick starts to absorb the wax which creates a buildup of carbon particles on the wick. The most common reason for mushroom wicking to occur is down to the size of the wick you have opted for. Usually a wick that is too big causes more wax to be sent to the flame than it can handle. As the flame is unable to burn the wax it has accumulated, carbon begins to build up forming the mushroom wick.
Fixing a mushroom wick is quite simple, all you need to do is trim the black cap of the wick and straighten the wick as normal. Although mushrooming wicks are an easy fix, when it comes to selling your candles, you may not want to have to tell customers how to fix these issues. In order to avoid mushroom wicking happening altogether, you may want to opt for a completely different wick.
What wick should I use?
Like most areas of candle making, finding the right wick for your candles is completely down to trial and error. The wick you use is also dependent on other factors such as the type of wax you're working with or the size of your candle. At Supplies for Candles, we stock a range of wick types and wick tools to ensure you have ultimate control over the creation of your candles. When it comes to selecting your wick we suggest using:
- For soya wax we suggest our TCR range
- For paraffin waxes we suggest our LX range
- For an all rounder wick we suggest our ECO range
To ensure your wick is the correct thickness for your containers, you can check the size chart at the bottom of the wick product page to find even more information. You will also find suggestions for wick sizes in the description section of each candle glass and jar we sell. If you still seem to be having issues, you can check out our FAQ page on our website where you will find a whole host of helpful answers and troubleshooting tips that will help you get to the bottom of your problems!
How else can I ensure my wick is correct?
There are a few other ways you can ensure a good burn from your wick. When it comes to making your candle, ensuring that your wick remains centred to the candle will ensure that you get an even and good melt pool, provided you select the right wick beforehand. In order to ensure your wick stays centred during the pouring process, we suggest using just a few of our tools that we have available on our website. Our wick sustainers and wick stickums are perfect for keeping your wick adhered to the bottom of the glass during the pouring process. The other tool we have on offer is our wick centering tool. Also available online, our wick centering tools ensures that your wick stays straight and upright during your candles cooling process.
At Supplies for Candles, we’re dedicated to ensuring you have access to only the highest quality products and service. From advice on what wick to use to which wax is best our resources and team are always on hand to help you perfect your process. Heard about our Facebook group? Join our community where you will be able to engage with other candle makers, swap tips and find inspiration in a fun and collaborative online environment!
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