Testing candle wicks is one of the most important steps in developing a high-performing candle formula. A wick that is too small can cause tunneling and weak fragrance throw, while a wick that is too large can create excessive soot, large flames, and unsafe burn behavior.

Because of this, wick testing should never be based on guessing or memory. The most reliable way to evaluate wick performance is to track burn test results across multiple cycles and compare results objectively.

In this guide, we’ll walk through a simple workflow for testing candle wicks and recording burn performance. We’ll also introduce a structured tool designed to help candle makers organize their testing process.

Why Wick Testing Is Essential

Even when using the same wax and fragrance oil, different wick sizes can produce very different burn results.

Factors that influence wick performance include:

• Wax type
• Fragrance load
• Vessel diameter
• Cure time
• Room environment

Because of these variables, candle makers typically test multiple wick sizes before selecting the best one for a formula.

Proper wick testing helps you determine:

• whether the melt pool reaches the container edges
• whether soot is produced during burn cycles
• whether flame height is stable
• which wick produces the most consistent burn

Without a structured testing process, it becomes difficult to compare results across different tests.

The Problem With Unorganized Wick Testing

Many candle makers record wick testing notes in notebooks or scattered spreadsheets. Over time, this can lead to several issues:

• burn test results become difficult to compare
• wick sizes tested are forgotten
• melt pool measurements are inconsistent
• it becomes unclear which wick actually performed best

This is why experienced candle makers often use structured testing logs to document each burn cycle.

Tracking your results allows you to evaluate wick performance objectively rather than relying on memory.

A Structured Approach to Wick Testing

A simple wick testing workflow typically includes the following steps:

1. Define the Candle Formula

Before beginning your burn tests, record the details of the candle being tested.

This includes:

• candle name
• testing vessel
• wax type
• fragrance oil
• cure time
• fragrance load

Recording this information ensures your testing results are tied to a specific candle formula.

2. Test Multiple Wick Sizes

Next, select several wick sizes to evaluate.

For example:

CD-10
CD-12
CD-14
CD-16

Testing multiple wick sizes allows you to compare burn performance and identify which wick produces the most balanced result.

3. Record Burn Test Results

Each burn session should record several observations, including:

• burn time
• melt pool diameter
• flame height
• soot presence

Tracking these metrics helps you determine whether the wick is performing correctly.

4. Evaluate Burn Performance

After several burn cycles, you can begin analyzing the results.

Some wick tests will fail due to issues such as:

• tunneling
• excessive soot
• overly large flames

Other tests may show balanced performance with a stable flame and proper melt pool.

Structured testing makes it easier to evaluate these results objectively.

Comparing Wick Performance

Once several burn tests have been completed, it becomes much easier to compare wick performance.

Visual charts can help candle makers quickly identify:

• pass rates across wick sizes
• average melt pool performance
• which wick performed most consistently

This comparison process helps narrow down the best wick candidates for a candle formula.

Identifying the Best Wick for Your Candle

The final step in wick testing is identifying which wick size produced the most reliable burn.

This wick typically shows:

• a stable flame
• a full melt pool
• minimal soot
• consistent performance across multiple burn cycles

Once identified, this wick can be used for further testing or moved into production evaluation.

A Tool to Simplify Wick Testing

To make this process easier, I created a structured Candle Wick Testing Spreadsheet designed specifically for candle makers.

This workbook helps you:

• track burn test cycles
• record melt pool measurements
• compare wick performance
• automatically evaluate pass or fail results
• view wick performance charts
• troubleshoot common burn issues

The workbook also includes a built-in tutorial that walks through the entire testing process step by step.

Download the Candle Wick Testing Workbook

If you want a structured way to track your wick testing results, you can download the template here:

Final Thoughts

Wick testing is a critical step in developing high-quality candles. By documenting your burn tests and comparing results across multiple wick sizes, you can make more informed decisions about which wick performs best for your formula.

Using a structured testing log not only improves consistency but also makes it easier to refine candle formulas over time.