Are Wooden Wick Candles Better?
As a candle lover, you might already know the variety and options you have when buying a candle. It can be scented or unscented, of different sizes and shapes, and vary in wax and wick types.
However, most of us love to burn scented candles for their aroma and fragrance. They not only produce nice smells but also uplift your mood and create a joyous vibe in times of sadness and monotony.
Most fragrance candles offer multiple pots and wax types, but which hardly varies is the wick. From age-old to modern, most candles still have wicks made of pieces of cotton. But there has been a change in wick materials recently.
In some candle variations, wooden wicks have replaced conventional cotton wicks, which have gained popularity in many aspects. They not only are great to look at and have nice scents but also come with great benefits.
So, these have led us to answer this question, “Are wooden wick candles better?” Continue reading to find the answer and know why.
Key Takeaways
- Wooden wick candles produce nice smells, burn evenly, and last longer than most traditional candles.
- These candles are also eco-friendly as they produce less soot and specks of dust. So, we have multiple reasons to agree that wooden wick candles are better than cotton ones.
- However, before you burn anything, you need to take some precautions to make your candle cozier and safer.
What is a wooden wick candle?
When we talk about wood wick for candles, it’s a thin strip of wood used as the wick in a candle. Following the need of your candles, wood wicks can be of various sizes, widths, and types. In addition, a paraffin and soy wax mix in a wood wick candle is also aimed to let the candle burn clean and smoke-free.
While burning, wood wick candles can make a beautiful crackling sound, which you do not hear when you burn a cotton wick candle. Plus, a single tree can supply thousands of wicks, so wooden wick candles are considerably more sustainable.
Furthermore, they often burn more evenly than cotton wicks and make less soot than conventional wicks. So, for the benefits they offer, wooden wick candles are growing in popularity, and many famous brands like Yankee Candles, Cochise, and Jasper & Wood Candle Company have focused more on supplying wood wick candles.
Are wooden wick candles better?
Whether it’s the usage or the effects of burning, wooden wick candles are significantly different than the typical cotton wick candles from multiple angles. It is also safe to say that wooden wick candles are safer to burn than most traditional candles. So, yes, they are better.
The candles available at most departmental stores have wicks made of interweaved cotton elements and dipped in wax. Although they are lower cost and easier to maintain, they do not offer many of the benefits wooden wick candles offer.
For example, wooden wick candles make a lovely crackling sound while burning, which may make you feel like sitting by a wood-burning fireplace.
You could also imagine spending a romantic evening with your partner lighting these candles. The faint glow of wooden wick candles’ flame and the enthralling smell will add to the perfect atmosphere. There are also some environmental benefits, which we will highlight in the next part of this article.
See Also: Are Candle Warmers Better Than Burning?
Why are wooden wick candles better?
We have already mentioned that wooden wick candles are much better than most traditional ones with cotton wicks. However, there are multiple things to consider when we are saying so that you can agree.
Below are some facts we need to keep in mind to support the statement that wooden wick candles are better than most candles out there in the market:
Clean burn
Traditional candles with cotton wick emits fumes with residue, while wooden wick candles burn clean, as they don’t mushroom. Instead, wooden wicks produce slight carbon, dust, and remains. Before burning a used candle, you need to trim off the burnt wood, and your flare will shine cleaner and brighter.
Long lasting
Everyone would want a longer life, even for the candles. Isn’t it fantastic that wooden wick candles burn slower than regular cotton wick ones? So, choose a wood wick and lengthen the life of your candle.
Doesn’t need soaking
Before using them with candles, wooden wicks do not need soaking in wax or oil. They burn beautifully by nature.
Horizontal flame
Wood wicks provide a horizontal flame that heats your candle more quickly and increases the aroma throw while slowing the burn. A horizontal flame can heat your candle properly and provide a tremendous aroma throughout your room.
Wider fragrance throw
Wooden wicks spread heat more quickly into the wax and may emit up to 35% more aroma into a room. This indicates that your candle is dispersing its aroma quicker, solider, and healthier.
Doesn’t need longer wicks
For a larger flame, wooden wicks do not need to be longer. The wax won’t be able to fully duct up and support a flame if the wick is too long.
Sustainable
Due to the significant stresses it exerts on the environment, cotton has a bad image among environmentalists. One of the most chemically demanding crops in the world, cotton needs hundreds of gallons of water to produce. On the other hand, wood wicks could be a much more environmentally friendly choice. Sustainable forestry practices are widely used to gather wood wicks; a single tree may produce thousands without anything near the resources needed.
Burns evenly
Your wax will heat more evenly with a wooden wick, which will help it burn more evenly over time. This has a variety of positive effects. When you initially light one of the finest scented candles, you’ll be less likely to burn out all of the fragrance, and the lower, smoldering flame will give off a stronger perfume. For bigger candles, wooden wicks are also a safer option since they are more likely to burn evenly on all sides.
Burns evenly
The crackling ambiance: The wood wicks near the fireplace quietly crackle as they are lighted. The warm glow and relaxing smells will accompany soothing noises, providing a unique experience.
Modern aesthetic
Wooden wicks offer a characteristic flat horizontal flame that gives your candle a contemporary vibe that a cotton wick cannot, in addition to creating an outstanding ambiance.
Doesn’t produce soot
If you like receiving candles as presents, it’s likely that you quickly learned that you don’t enjoy the soot they may sometimes produce. Because of their thin burn and reliable flame, wood-wick candles are a delight to use. Better burn duration is possible because of the regulated and delicate flame.
Eco-friendly
The main aspects we consider while selecting a candle are its warm glow and aroma, which affect its ambiance. However, candles with wood wicks provide a third layer to the candle’s ambiance. Everyone is concerned about global warming since its repercussions are evident every day. Even for something as simple as picking out a candle on sale, many seek more natural options when making purchases. You don’t have to choose an inappropriate candle for the environment; you need to remember more than just the wax and the container. The wick itself may contribute to sustainability, and in this context, the benefits of wood wick are more vibrant than ever.
See Also: Can You Have Candles in Dorm Rooms?
Is there any disadvantage of wooden wick candles?
While we have discussed the pros of wooden wick candles, let’s not forget that they can come with some cons.
Some of those cons are:
- Because they are thicker and denser than normal cotton wicks, wooden wicks often take a little longer to ignite.
- Due to the higher cost of the ingredients, wooden wick candles cost a little extra.
- Unlike cotton wicks, wooden wicks are more difficult to keep burning. A wooden wick’s flame might be extinguished by wind or unexpected movement. It’s thus preferable to burn them indoors, far from any uproar.
- Generally, wooden wick candles are not widely available as traditional wax and cotton wick candles. So, you may not find it in your neighborhood if you live in a remote area, out of the city.
Wooden wick candles burn guide
While wooden wick candles are way better than typical cotton ones, make sure you take some precautions and follow some techniques to burn them for safety and comfort.
Here, we have shared some guides for you to follow while burning the candles:
- Place your candles on a surface that is heat- and moisture-resistant. Place them far from anything that may start a fire. Additionally, keep youngsters and pets away from the candles.
- Before each burning, maintain the wick trimmed to its original height of 3/16″ or 1/4″ to guarantee that your candles burn cleanly and last longer. If the ashy top of a wood wick grows too long, the wick won’t ignite or remain lit. Wood wicks create an ashy top.
- The ashy top should typically be taken off after every one to two burns. Wood wicks may need to be relit many times.
- Lighting your candles for no more than 5 hours at a time and no less than 2 hours is advisable.
- To prevent tunneling, always burn your candle toward the outside of the container.
- Although you can trim your wooden wick with your fingertips, we strongly suggest using a wooden wick trimmer to obtain a nice, clean cut.
See Also: How To Burn A Candle Without A Jar?
FAQs
Do wood-wick candles burn better?
You get greater value for your money since wood wicks burn up to 25% slower and longer than cotton wick soy candles.
Are wood-wick candles worth it?
Candles with a wood wick do crackle, indeed. Some people find it soothing to listen to the little crackling sound the wood wick makes as it burns. You should consider a wood-wick candle if you’re seeking a candle that will create a calm atmosphere in your house.
Why do people like wood-wick candles?
The amount of carbon, soot, and debris buildup is small with wooden wicks. Your flame will shine cleaner and brighter if you trim away any burned wood left behind from earlier fires. Additionally, they are durable.
Do wooden wick candles smell stronger?
One nice feature of hardwood wicks is that they emit a more decadent aroma than candles with cotton wicks. Wooden wick candles offer a wonderful crackling sound, a pleasing appearance, and a stronger aroma output owing to their low-smoldering burn.
Final Thoughts
A wood-wicked candle has several benefits. Even before you burn a candle, these unusual wicks look beautiful. They also generate a beautiful, warm flame that is both beautiful to see and to hear.
It’s acceptable if you are unfamiliar with wood wicks because the process of creating aroma candles is still relatively new. While cotton-wick candles have been around for thousands of years, wood wicks have always been rather scarce. We can all test this new kind of wick, which fortunately has a lot to offer at least once.
