How to Prime a Wick for a Beeswax Candle
Both novice and experienced candle makers enjoy working with beeswax to make beautiful and long-burning candles. Depending upon the candle-making process you choose, making a beeswax candle may involve simply rolling up sheets of flat beeswax or it may involve melting the beeswax and then pouring or dipping the candles. As you finish the candle, one of the last tasks involves priming the wick. Priming the wick helps the candle burn better without excessive smoking.
Instructions
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Priming the Wick with Rolled Beeswax
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1
Cut a 5/8-inch square of beeswax with the scissors.
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2
Hold the square of beeswax against the wick as it stands straight up from the center of the candle.
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3
Wrap the square of beeswax around the wick to cover the wick completely in beeswax. Press the beeswax firmly around the wick with your fingers to coat the wick and ensure the beeswax stays tight around the wick. Cut off any excess beeswax after you wrap it around the wick completely.
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4
Cut the wick off with the scissors so it is 5/8-inch long.
Priming the Wick with Melted Beeswax
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5
Reserve a small amount of melted beeswax from dipping or pouring the beeswax candle.
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6
Hold the candle upside down in your hand and insert the wick into the melted beeswax to coat the entire wick.
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7
Set the candle upright and straighten the wick so it stands straight up from the candle. Allow the beeswax to harden around the wick.
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8
Cut the wick off with the scissors so it is 5/8-inch long.
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1
Tips & Warnings
If you purchase a ready-made beeswax candle with an unprimed wick, simply use either of these techniques to prime the wick. If you do not have beeswax, you can also use paraffin wax to prime the wick.
References
- Photo Credit vela 1 image by Nuka from Fotolia.com
