Candles - which wicks?

[Stedic]

I've been experimenting with candle making over the past few months.

I'm really struggling to get a "good burn". Can anyone help?

For tealights I'm using pre-tabbed NT-26s, but the flame is tiny after an hour or so. For votives, I'm using NT-35s but again they flicker as if too big. The next size down (NT-32s?) don't seem powerful enough to get going.

It is harder than it looks!

 

[enrico]

I was always told pure beeswax needed Wick size twice that of parafin wax. ...... But then what do I know, I gave up trying to make decent candles years ago. It was cheaper and easier to buy them!
E

 

[Poly Hive]

Yes it is tricky. I have a file somewhere I'll try and dig out that I got from a commercial guy who made a lot of candles. I don't know if Thornes have updated their wicking info but for sure 20 years ago it was wildly wrong.

PH

 

[Erichalfbee]

I've been experimenting with candle making over the past few months.

I'm really struggling to get a "good burn". Can anyone help?

For tealights I'm using pre-tabbed NT-26s, but the flame is tiny after an hour or so. For votives, I'm using NT-35s but again they flicker as if too big. The next size down (NT-32s?) don't seem powerful enough to get going.

It is harder than it looks!

I replied to this but post has disappeared
You need wicks waxed with beeswax
I use pre tabbed wickwell NT 26 from 4candles.co.uk for tea lights

 

[Poly Hive]

When I was making and selling candles, and a fair amount of them too we never pre waxed the wicks as frankly life is just too short. The burn was absolutely fine as we did comparisons between the waxed and non waxed.

PH

 

[Stedic]

I replied to this but post has disappeared
You need wicks waxed with beeswax
I use pre tabbed wickwell NT 26 from 4candles.co.uk for tea lights

I think I’ve tried NT-26s from there but may be worth making up another batch.