How to Make Homemade Wood Wick Candles

Wood wick candles make light and crackling sounds when lit.

Wood wicks are treated and shaped specifically for use as candle wicks. They may appear to look like two pieces of wood fused side by side. When lit, as the wax and fragrance is drawn up into the wick, it makes crackling sounds mimicking a fireplace or campfire. This type of wick works well with soy wax, as well as paraffin wax, and can be scented with any of the many candle fragrances available on the candle supply market.

Things You'll Need

• Soap
• Glass container
• Oven
• Cookie sheet
• Wood wick
• Wick adhesive dot
• Double boiler pan
• Soy candle wax
• Digital scales
• Candle wax thermometer
• Metal spoon
• Candle fragrance oil
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Clean the glass container with soap and water. Dry it thoroughly.

2. Set the oven to 150 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the glass container on a cookie sheet; then place the cookie sheet and glass in the oven for 5 minutes, or until it is very warm. Warming the glass first helps prevent cold glass from breaking during the pouring process.

3. Place a wick adhesive dot on the bottom of the wick's tab. Stick the wick's tab to the center bottom of the inside of the glass container.

4. Pour water into the bottom boiler pan and heat to boiling.

5. Weigh out enough wax for the size of the container.

6. Place the wax into the top boiler pan and then place the pan over the boiling water. Continue to heat the water at a low boil while the wax melts. Monitor the temperature of the wax using the thermometer until it reaches the temperature suggested by the wax manufacturer.

7. Remove the wax from the heat and measure out the fragrance oil for a ratio of 1 oz. fragrance oil to 1 lb. wax. Stir the fragrance into the wax.

8. When the wax has cooled to pour temperature, or just before it begins to turn solid, pour it slowly into the glass container. Let it set until solid. Because wood wicks are rigid, unlike a cord wick, they will stay in place when attached to the container bottom with an adhesive dot.

9. Let the candle set for a week before burning to cure. Trim the wick down to 1/8 to 1/4 inch.

Tips & Warnings

• Re-melt remaining wax to pour over the top of the candle if sinking occurs.

• The more oil is in the candle, the more crackling it will make. However, be careful not to add too much oil, as it can cause your candle to sweat or not blend with the oil well.

• You can use dye chips if you prefer to have a colored candle. Add one dye chip per pound of wax before adding the fragrance oil.

• Never leave your wax unattended while melting.

• Use caution when working with hot wax to prevent burns.

References

• Lone Star Candle Company: How to Make Wood Wick Candles
• Bitter Creek Candle Supply: Instructions
• Candle Help: Container Candles

Resources

• Candlewic