The wick used in candles is specially treated braided cotton. (It is treated with a fire retardent to prevent the snuffed wick from glowing away to nothing).
Candlewick is a loose weave that allows molten wax to flow through it. If the wick should become clogged with dust or other particles, the flow of wax would be impeded and the flame would burn poorly. If water was to get into the wick pool, the flame will likely spit and sputter and go out!
When a candle is lit, the flame initially draws on the wax immediately below itself. As the heat of the flame melts more wax around itself, a wick pool is established. The diameter of the pool is determined by the size of the wick and the hardness of the wax.
If the wick used is too large, the flame would be too large and smoky, even after trimming. Too small can result in the wick pool being too small and the candle burning feebly.
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copyright © Brian Steere March 2001 to
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