How to Prime a Candle Wick

A candle maker can easily prime a candlewick in a process that soaks the wicks in melted wax to make the wicks stiff. The advantage of priming a wick is that it will make the wick easier to light, and it will burn more evenly due to the stiffness of the wick. Priming your candlewicks will ensure that you create a better and longer-lasting candle. Read on to learn how to prime a candle wick.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Wax
• Double boiler
• Thermometer
• Wicks
• Wax paper

1. Melt a small amount of wax in your double boiler until it reaches a temperature of at least 70 degrees C or 158 degrees F.
2. Drop the wick into the melted wax, using a spoon, if necessary, to make sure that the wick is completely covered by the melted wax.
3. Leave the wick in the melted wax for at least 30 seconds or until you see some air bubbles rise to the surface of the melted wax.
4. Remove the wick from the melted wax, being careful not to spill the melted wax or get it on your skin.
5. Lay the wick gently on wax paper, making the sure the wick is as straight as possible.
6. Let the wick completely dry. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour.
7. Prime the same wick a second time, following the same process as above. Another priming is not necessary, but it will often yield even better results.

Tips & Warnings

• If you prime your wicks, the wicks will become stiff and easier to work with, therefore eliminating the need to use wire core wicks.
• Melted wax can be very hot. Be careful when working with it.