Candle ME Candles

If you’ve never burned a wooden wick candle before, the first thing you’ll notice is the sound. It’s a soft little crackle — the kind you hear when you toss a small twig into a campfire. They make a room feel cozy without trying too hard, and they give every candle a little personality.

Why We Use Wooden Wicks

Over the years we tried different wick styles, but wooden wicks kept winning us over. They burn slower, they give off a wide and steady flame, and they work beautifully with our coconut soy wax. They also look clean and modern, which matches the simple style we like to keep in our candle line.

Another thing people love is how evenly they melt the wax. When you light them the right way, you don’t get that “tunneling” effect where the wax sinks down the middle and leaves a ring around the jar. You get a full hot melt pool, which helps the fragrance come through smoothly.

How to Light a Wooden Wick Candle

A wooden wick doesn’t behave like a cotton wick. It needs a longer first burn.

Here’s the trick: hold your lighter to the wick for a couple of seconds longer than you think you should. Let it catch across the entire top edge. Once it’s going, give the candle time to build up its first melt pool — usually around 2 to 3 hours, depending on the jar.

That initial burn sets the tone for the rest of the candle’s life.

Trimming the Wick

You don’t need scissors for this. Most people just pinch the charred part off with their fingers once the candle is cool. Wooden wicks should stay short — usually around an eighth of an inch. If the flame ever gets too tall or starts to flicker wildly, it’s almost always because the wick is too long. A quick trim settles it down.

Why Wooden Wicks Crackle

Everyone asks this, so let’s clear it up. The crackling sound isn’t from moisture or resin or anything fancy. It’s simply the natural behavior of a thin piece of untreated wood burning. Every wick is slightly different, so some crackle more than others. It’s one of those small, random details that makes each candle feel a little unique.

A Few Small Tips for the Best Burn

After pouring and testing hundreds of candles, here’s what consistently works:

• Don’t blow a wooden wick out — snuff it or dip it if you can.
  
• Keep the candle away from drafts. Wooden flames don’t like to be pushed around.
  
• Let the wax reach the edges when possible.
  
• If it ever struggles to stay lit, trim it a bit shorter and relight.
  

Most of the time, a wooden wick will correct itself once you get the length right.

Why We Pair Wooden Wicks With Coconut Soy Wax

Our coconut soy blend has a creamy texture that melts evenly and throws fragrance well at lower temperatures. Wooden wicks burn low and slow, so the combination just works. The flame sits nicely above the melt pool, and the candle doesn’t get too hot. It’s a clean, steady burn without soot or smoke — which is important for us since we hand-pour everything in small batches here in Millinocket.

Final Thoughts

Wooden wicks take a tiny bit of technique, but once you get the hang of them, they’re hard to go back from. They burn beautifully, look good in just about any jar, and bring a warm atmosphere to a room even when the candle is just sitting there unlit.

If you ever have trouble with one of our candles, just reach out. We test every blend we sell, and we’re always happy to help people get the best burn possible.