The Importance of Wick Testing in Candle Making

When you think of a luxury candle, what comes to mind? Perhaps the soothing crackle of a wooden wick, the soft flicker of light dancing on the walls, or the rich scent filling your home. What many people don’t realise is that behind every beautiful candle lies a lot of testing — especially wick testing. At The Candle Suite, we take this process seriously, because the right wick makes all the difference to your candle experience.

Why is Wick Testing So Important?

The wick is essentially the engine of the candle. It controls how your candle burns, how long it lasts, and how evenly the fragrance fills your room. Without proper wick testing, even the most gorgeous candle jar or finest fragrance oil won’t perform at its best.

A wick that’s too small might tunnel down the centre, wasting wax and leaving you disappointed. On the other hand, a wick that’s too large can create excessive smoke, soot, or an overly hot burn that risks damaging the container. Neither of these scenarios makes for a luxury candle experience.

That’s why wick testing is a crucial step in candle making. It ensures you get a clean, even burn, with the right balance of flame, fragrance throw, and safety.

What Factors Affect Wick Performance?

Every candle is different, and so is every wick. Here are some of the key things we look at when testing:

- Wax Type – Soy wax, coconut wax, or paraffin all burn differently. Since The Candle Suite specialises in natural soy wax candles, we make sure our wicks are perfectly matched to this eco-friendly wax.

- Container Size & Shape – A wide, shallow jar burns differently to a tall, narrow one. The wick has to suit the candle’s design.

- Fragrance Load – Highly scented candles need a wick that can carry the fragrance oils effectively without smoking.

- Wick Material – Cotton wicks give a traditional flame, while wooden wicks create that cosy crackling sound many of our customers love.

By carefully balancing these elements, we ensure every candle we hand-pour in the Surrey Hills offers the luxurious, long-lasting burn our customers expect.

How We Test Wicks at The Candle Suite

Testing is not just a single step — it’s a process. For each new candle jar or fragrance we create, we test multiple wick sizes and styles. Each candle is burnt for several hours at a time, monitored carefully to see how it performs.

We check:

- The size and steadiness of the flame.

- Whether the wax pool reaches the edges of the container (to avoid tunnelling).

- How much fragrance is released into the room (hot throw)?

- The safety of the container — ensuring it never overheats.

It can take several rounds of testing before we find the perfect match. But we believe this dedication is what makes The Candle Suite candles stand out — beautifully scented, long-burning, and safe to enjoy in your home.

Why This Matters for You

When you light one of our candles, we want you to feel completely relaxed — knowing you’re getting a clean, even burn that fills your room with fragrance. Wick testing is our way of making sure that every moment with your candle is one of pure enjoyment.

So next time you notice how evenly your candle burns, or how effortlessly it scents your space, you’ll know it’s thanks to the behind-the-scenes science of wick testing.

At The Candle Suite, it’s all part of our passion for creating luxury handmade candles that don’t just look beautiful but truly perform.