Hint: It’s not just the crackling sound.
Can I just tell you a story about how relaxing wood wick candles are? Picture it - you’re cuddled up with a nice cozy blanket and your favorite book while next to you is a beautiful crackling flame that warms you up right to your core.
Candles have this amazing ability to change the mood in a room right to relaxation. Whether it be with their unique scents or the beautiful small flame that is perfectly contained in its vessel. When you have a wood wick candle something even more magical seems to happen. It gives you the calming feel of fire with its crackling sounds but without the fuss or mess of an actual fire.
Wooden wicks have become more popular over the years and there’s no wonder why. There are so many great features that only they can provide.
A More Efficient Scent Throw
You might be surprised to know that not all candles are equal. Some actually provide a more efficient cast of their fragrance throughout a room. Wooden wicks can actually provide a better scent throw because the wick burns lower and more against the candle wax. This creates a smoldering effect that allows the scent to “simmer” rather than just burning up quickly in a tall, hot flame.
Wooden wicks are also shaped differently than a cotton wick. And while they may come in different shapes they are often wide and flat which creates a wider horizontal flame as opposed to a standard cotton wick that is skinny and tall. This actually enables the wax to get hot quicker putting the scent out into your room in a shorter amount of time.
Made in the USA with FSC certified wood
FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council. They provide approved products created in wood mills that align with the values around producing clean-burning and sustainable products. Believe it or not, the large majority of people believe in taking care of the earth and conducting business in a sustainable fashion - including candlemakers! And this doesn’t just go for the wicks. Candles in general have become a much more healthy way to create a calm and relaxing atmosphere for your home. Great non-toxic alternatives are now much more prevalent.
The wooden wick is just one way that candlemakers are making a difference in homes around the U.S. By using a candle with a wooden wick that is made in the USA and FSC certified you can trust that it is from a sustainable source and is a product that is safe for your family. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly option for your candles then wood wicks are definitely the way to go. There is much more transparency from these manufacturers on how and where they are produced. In the world we live in today, this is huge! People like you and I want to know that we are doing our part to take care of our world today and for the future. There are even wood wick suppliers that offer planting a tree with your purchase. Now that’s a win-win!
Your Candle Lasts Longer
Wooden wicks create a slower burn of the candle which means - you guessed it - it lasts longer! How does it do this? The wide wick creates a smoldering effect actually helping it burn slower while STILL releasing the fragrance into your room. In a standard cotton wick, it burns up quicker in the tall flame that it creates rather than having time to be dispersed out into the air.
Tall flames are also a good reason for candle maintenance. No matter what type of candle or wick you are using it’s important to keep your wick trimmed to ¼” for the most efficient burning of the wax and efficiency of the scent throw. Also, be sure to burn your candle 3-4 hours or at least ensure that the wax is melted all the way across the candle before distinguishing the flame. This prevents “tunneling” of the wax and helps to create an even burn throughout the life of your candle.
Safer
Since wooden wicks burn lower and wider this is considered safer than a standard cotton wick that can burn much taller and be more unpredictable in it’s movements. The unpredictable movement and extra tall flame on a cotton wick can also be from the “mushroom” effect. The “mushroom” effect on a candle wick is caused from carbon build up-something that is not typical of a wooden wick. “Mushrooming” and tall flames are another example of why keeping your wick trimmed to the appropriate height is important in candle safety. This is also true for wooden wicks in order to keep the debris and sooting to a minimum.
The Crackle
So, what is behind the ever popular crackling sound? You might be surprised to find out that the popular sound is created from moisture. Yep, moisture.
After the wood has been designated to be used for a candle wick it goes through a process to be dried from excessive amounts of moisture. During this process pockets are left behind in the wood where small amounts of moisture get into wood. Once the flame is lit and the left behind moisture gets heated by the flame it can reach a point where it begins to boil and eventually could release steam. If the steam gets trapped, it puts pressure on the wood creating a crackle or pop sound when it’s released. Impressive to think there is so much happening inside that small little flame!
The Ambiance
Let us not forget the ambiance that goes hand in hand with a wooden wick candle. Who doesn’t love the relaxing, cozy sound of soft crackling wood and the low dim lighting that comes from a wooden wick. It’s truly something that you can’t get anywhere else. The wood wicks create a multi-sensory experience that can help you stay grounded and at peace right where you are. Take the time to enjoy the sights and sounds of your candle. This is the true essence of the wood wick. It combines function with relaxation and sensual ambiance.
Next time you’re considering purchasing a candle think a little more about how many options you have and which can offer you the most benefits. Remember, not all candles are equal.