FAQs

The flat wick is made up of three identical bundles of cotton fibres. The designation 3x10 thus means: 3 bundles of 10 fibres each. The smaller volume of a flat wick by comparison to a round wick makes it ideal for thin waxes such as pure paraffin, mixtures of paraffin and stearin and craquelle-effect wax. The flat wick is also suitable for pure stearin wax as well as for candles coloured right through with neon dye; for these two applications, however, it is always necessary to take one wick thickness bigger than the one specified for the mould in question.

The round wick, by contrast, is made up of at least eight identical bundles of cotton fibres. On the round wick, the centre is filled in with a core bundle. To ensure that the braiding is not symmetrical, two fibre bundles are additionally woven in asymmetrically. The bigger volume compared with the flat wick enables it to convey more viscous waxes from the wax pool into the flame. It is thus intended primarily for beeswax.  

On flat wicks, there is no braiding direction to observe!

With round wicks, the braiding direction must be observed as of size R3. The braiding direction can be established as follows: on the flattened side of the wick, there is a V-shaped pattern. This V must open up towards the top of the candle. Our round wick reels are always wound so that the outer end of the reel forms the tip of the candle.

For all other wicks, such as garden wicks, glass fibre wicks and braided wicks, there is no braiding direction to be observed.

The average diameter of a candle is always decisive for determining the wick.

Examples:

1. For a conical candle with a base diameter of 10 cm, for example, the average candle diameter is 5 cm. For this candle, I thus choose a wick for a candle with a 5 cm diameter.
2. For an 8 cm spherical candle, I choose a wick for a candle with a 4 cm diameter.
3. For a cylindrical candle with a diameter of 6 cm, I choose a wick for a candle of up to 6 cm in diameter.
4. With a markedly asymmetric candle, I dimension the wick on the basis of the average diameter of the narrow side.
etc.  

When dipping candles:

Consult the wick/candle diameter table below.

When moulding candles:

Use the recommended wick for the mould in question for pure paraffin wax and the paraffin/stearin wax mixture. For other types of wax, consult the wick table.

Wick/candle diameter table

Round wicks:

R0 (1) for a candle diameter up to 1.5 cm
R1 (3) for a candle diameter of 1.5 to 2.5 cm
R2 (6) for a candle diameter of 2.5 to 4.5 cm
R3 (12) for a candle diameter of 4.5 to 6.0 cm
R4 (20) for a candle diameter of 6.0 to 9.0 cm

Flat wicks:

F1 (3x7) for a candle diameter of up to 2.0 cm
F2 (3x10) for a candle diameter of 2.0 to 4.0 cm
F2a (3x12) for a candle diameter of 5.0 to 6.0 cm
F3 (3x15) for a candle diameter of 4.0 to 6.0 cm
F4 (3x18) for a candle diameter of 6.0 to 8.0 cm
F5 (3x24) for a candle diameter of 8.0 to 10.0 cm

Important: Our wick sizes are to be regarded as guide values. It is quite feasible that, depending on the shape and colouring of a candle, the next smallest wick thickness may be more suitable. Precisely in the case of candles that are to be sold, or series-produced candles, it is thus essential to establish the optimum wick thickness beforehand with the corresponding sample candles and burning tests. 

If a wick is too thick, it will tend to produce soot; if it is too thin it will tend to drip! In case of doubt, we would thus recommend that you select somewhat too thin a wick rather than too thick a wick. Please also consult the answers given to "General Questions", "What are the reasons for a candle not burning properly?"

In addition to the standard wicks, such as round and flat wicks, we also have the following special wicks:

Waxed wicks with wick clips (Art. 17100, 17120, 17200, 17220 and 17300) for floating candles, storm lanterns, gel candles, candles in modelling wax, etc.

Garden wicks (Art. 15900, 15901 and 15902), for filling aluminium trays, earthenware pots, etc. This wick type is only intended for burning outdoors!

Glass fibre wicks (Art. 15920, 15921, 15922 and 15923) for oil lamps. The wick does not burn down, because the glass fibres do not burn!

Braided wicks (Art. 15930, 15931 and 15932) are flat wick tapes for oil lamps.