How to Size a Wick for Your Jar

An ordered procedure: measure the diameter, choose the core for the wax, read the code, then adjust for fragrance and dye.

Step one is measurement. Wick size will be determined mainly by the diameter of your container, so measure the inner diameter in inches at the widest point rather than reading the ounce size on the label.

Step two is the core. Zinc cores are most effective in paraffin based waxes and VersaGel and are not recommended for natural or renewable waxes, while hemp cores are described as very effective in natural and paraffin based container, votive and pillar candles.

Step three is the code. Read it from the diameter column: ECO-2 for small containers, ECO-6 for medium 2–2.75 inch containers, ECO-14 for large 3–3.5 inch containers, HE-2 for votives and small 1–2 inch containers, HE-6 for large 4 inch containers.

Step four is the adjustment. The amount of fragrance, dye and other additives will have an effect on wick selection, and single pour waxes and soy waxes usually require a slightly bigger wick.

Step five is confirmation. With a one-pour wax you may need to increase in size, so a weighed test burn tells you whether the chosen code is right for that batch.

• Measure the inner diameter of the jar in inches at the widest point.
• Choose the core type for the wax: paper or cotton for soy, zinc for paraffin.
• Read the code from the diameter column of the published table.
• Adjust for fragrance, dye and other additives by stepping up one size.
• Confirm with a weighed test burn before committing the batch.

Further reading

• Wick Burn Rates and What Each Code Is For
• Burn Time Calculation and Fault Diagnosis