Wicks Unlimited - The Ultimate Solution for Optimal Candle Combustion

For more than 5,000 years, the humble candle has generated light and been the focal point of celebrations for billions of people. During the 19th and 20th centuries, and thanks to the advances in wick technology, wax formulations, and container styles, candles large and small continued to play an important cultural and personal role in societies globally. Fast forward to today, It is projected that by 2028, the candle industry will be worth more than $13 billion US dollars.

While candle trends have come and gone over the centuries, the need for reliable candle combustion remains at the forefront of candle development. To fulfill customers’ needs at the point of purchase and drive sales, some candle manufacturers prioritize the candle’s overall look and fragrance profile over performance and usefulness during the development phase. After several burn cycles, the end-user may eventually begin to experience combustion difficulties affecting their overall satisfaction with their candle and the candle’s brand. To help identify common candle combustion challenges, the candle combustion experts at Wicks Unlimited put together a list of combustion difficulties consumers and candle manufacturers face.

• Mushroom Capping: Mushroom capping is often caused by a large wick that provides too much fuel (wax) to the flame, or the candle system utilizes the wrong wick size/type for the candle system.

• Afterglow: Wick afterglow is a phenomenon caused by mushroom capping. The carbon mass on the tip of the wick emits a soft glow for a long time after it is extinguished. This phenomenon is not only dangerous, but it may also harm the reputation of the candle company.

• Excessive Flame Height: Excessive flame creates “sooting,” composed of unburned fuel particles. Increased flame height implies both partial combustion and poor wick selection for this specific candle system.

• Long Wick: Excessive or long wicks alter the entire combustion process of the candle, resulting in mushrooming, sooting, and an uneven burn.

• Undersized Wick: A wick that is too small for a specific candle system that does not create enough combustion (heat) to melt the wax, resulting in tunneling.

During the candle development phase, working with knowledgeable candle combustion specialists like Wicks Unlimited may help avoid combustion difficulties from occurring in the first place. Even after the candle development phase has passed, Wicks Unlimited combustion specialists work closely with manufacturers to complete a complimentary troubleshooting burn analysis to determine the combustion issue or issues. Once complete, Wicks Unlimited provides manufacturers a confidential report with their findings and suggestions to improve the overall combustion and customer satisfaction. While no two candle systems are alike, the burn analysis may include product suggestions, including the appropriate wick type, wick size, and sustainer for an optimal burn for that specific candle system.

Candle manufacturers large and small partner with Wicks Unlimited during the candle development phase to create an optimal burn profile for their specific type of candle. With over 450 unique wicks available on-site, 26 candle sustainers, and a large selection of wick clip assemblies, it is no wonder candle manufacturers have relied on them for over 20 years. To learn more visit,  www.wicksunlimited.com.