1. Measure Jar Diameter
When choosing a wick the most important part is getting the correct thickness, height is not as important as you will be trimming your wicks to size later. So the first thing to do is measure the internal diameter of your candle jar as you will need this measurement to help match up a suitable wick using the wick tables below. For a straight sided jar simply measure across the top of the jar from one side to the other. For a tapered jar you want to measure the widest point at which there will be wax in the jar.
The guides below are for use with soy, palm and gel wax. When working with beeswax you should bump up at least three sizes.
2. Choose a Wick
Now refer to the wick charts and find the the wick that matches the diameter of your jar. There are often two or more wicks that match your size, this is to allow for “fine tuning” due to the many variables in candle recipes. We recommend starting out at the higher end of the scale and testing from there. Choose the height of wick (based on the height of your jar) and follow the links in the chart to go directly to the product page of your chosen wick.
If your diameter is wider than what our chart reaches then divide your diameter by the amount of wicks you would like to use EG: 120mm divided by two = 60mm. Use two (or three) wicks spaced evenly that burn 60mm.
ACS Series Wick Chart
ACS series wicks are a flat braided candle wick made from textile-grade cotton and are developed to work best in natural waxes, especially soy wax. These wicks tend to burn cleanly and can be less prone to mushrooming (subject to testing and fine tuning). ACS wicks are all natural and are Zinc and Lead free.
| Wick Code | Diameter Guide | Height |
|---|---|---|
| ACS 3.0 | 44 - 55mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| ACS 3.5 | 50 - 55mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| ACS 4.0 | 55 -60mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| ACS 4.5 | 55 - 60mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| ACS 5.0 | 55- 65mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| ACS 5.5 | 55- 65mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| ACS 6.0 | 65 - 70mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| ACS 6.5 | 65 - 70mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| ACS 7.0 | 65 - 80mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| ACS 7.5 | 70 - 80mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| ACS 7.7 | 75 - 80mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| ACS 8.0 | 80 - 90mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| ACS 8.5 | 85 - 90mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| ACS 9.0 | 90 - 95mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| ACS 9.3 | 90 - 95mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| ACS 9.5 | 95 - 100mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| ACS 9.8 | 95 - 100mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| ACS 9.9 | 95 - 100mm | 150mm / 300mm |
CDN Series Wick Chart
The CDN wick by Heinz Verhaegh are one of the best in the industry and feature a paper braid style designed to ‘self trim’ by bending at the tip while burning. The CDN series of candle wicks are made from pure cotton with a paper core and a paper braid running through the wick which helps to deliver a more complete combustion and a cleaner burn. The paper braid is what gives the wick its light brown colour. Perfect for use in natural waxes including soy, beeswax and palm wax. CDN wicks are all natural and are Zinc and Lead free.
| Jar Diameter (cm) | Recommended Wick Size | Height / Volume |
|---|---|---|
| CDN 6 | 40 – 45mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| CDN 7 | 45 – 50mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| CDN 8 | 50 – 55mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| CDN 10 | 55 – 60mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| CDN 12 | 60 – 65mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| CDN 14 | 65 – 70mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| CDN 16 | 70 – 75mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| CDN 18 | 75 – 80mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| CDN 20 | 80 – 85mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| CDN 22 | 85 – 90mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| CDN 24 | 90 – 95mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| CDN 26 | 90 – 100mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| CDN 28 | 95 – 105mm | 150mm / 300mm |
| CDN 30 | 100 – 110mm | 150mm / 300mm |
CDN or ACS?
We sell two types of wick and they are both great for making soy candles, if you are starting out we recommend the ACS series because there are more options for sizes and they tend to be less prone to mushrooming. That is not to say you need to be afraid to try the CDN wick, some customers love the look of the paper braid.
The trick is to get started with a wick you think is about right for your jar and fragrance and test until you have fine tuned the wick size, if after all your testing you cannot get one type of wick to work really well, it is time to switch to the other.
Still confused?
If you are still not quite sure about how to measure out the right fragrance and wax or would like some help with the size of wick to use then why not attend one of our candle classes. We run these every month but it pays to book early. We also have pre-measured candle kits and tried and tested candle making recipes for the perfect candle.