How to Light & Care for Your Wood Wick Candle ✨

How to Light & Care for Your Wood Wick Candle ✨

There’s something extra cozy about the soft crackle of a wood wick candle — but unlike traditional cotton wicks, wood wicks need a little extra care to burn beautifully.

If you’ve ever struggled to light your candle, noticed tunnelling, or wondered how to maintain your wick properly, this guide will help you get the most out of your candle.

Step 1: Trim the Wood Wick Before Every Burn

Before lighting your candle, always check the wick.

Your wood wick should be trimmed to around 3–5mm before each burn.

Why?

  • Prevents high flames
  • Helps the candle light easier
  • Reduces smoke
  • Creates a cleaner, even burn

How to trim:

  • Gently pinch off the burnt black wood using your fingers
  • OR use a wick trimmer/nail clipper
  • Remove any loose burnt pieces from the wax

Tip: Don’t leave long charred pieces attached — this often causes lighting issues.

Step 2: Use a Long Lighter

Wood wicks usually take longer to catch than regular cotton wicks.

Use:

  • Long candle lighter
  • BBQ lighter
  • Long match

Hold the flame against the wick for 15–20 seconds to allow the wood to properly ignite.

Sometimes you may need to light from multiple angles.

Don’t:

  • Quickly tap the lighter and remove it too fast
  • Blow the flame out immediately after it catches

Step 3: Let the Wax Melt Edge to Edge

During your first burn, allow the wax melt pool to reach the edges of the jar.

This usually takes:

  • Small candles: 1–2 hours
  • Medium candles: 2–3 hours
  • Large candles: 3–4 hours

This helps prevent tunnelling.

Why this matters: If you blow out your candle too early, wax may only melt in the centre and waste candle wax around the sides.

 

Help! My Wood Wick Won’t Stay Lit?

 

Fix #1: Remove Excess Burnt Wood

If too much char builds up, the flame can struggle.

Simply:

  1. Let candle fully cool
  2. Remove burnt wood pieces
  3. Trim wick down
  4. Relight

Fix #2: Scoop a Small Amount of Wax Around the Wick

Sometimes the wick gets "drowned" in too much wax.

Use a spoon or paper towel to carefully remove a small amount of wax near the wick.

This exposes more wick and helps it relight properly.

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