Candle Wicks: The Secret Behind the Glow
Without a wick, a candle is nothing but a useless mass of wax. While the body of the candle itself works as the fuel source, the candlewick functions as the propeller of the fuel. Starting from the bottom, the wick runs through the center of the candle and peeks out from the top of the candle.
The etymological origin of the word wick can be found in the old English usage of “wicke", or Germanic "wieche ". It referred to a bundle of twisted fibers used to haul fuel into a lamp to create flame. The most ancient forms of candles were nothing but wick like objects with a few coatings of beeswax or tallow. The wick in modern sense of the term is nothing but a bundle of braided cotton fibers that is highly absorbent. As such, melted waxes are easily drawn on them. In scientific term, this is based on the theory of capillary action. To provide a sufficient wax coating, the wick is repeatedly dipped in and out of the melted wax. In modern methods of candle making the first layer of the wax tightly surround the wick, so that at the time of burning, liquid wax is supplied to the top where combustion takes place.
In addition to the fuel-pumping function, the wick also acts as the regulator of the flame. Depending on their sizes, the wicks allow different amount of wax flow to the top and thus controls the sizes of the flame.
Sizes of the wicks vary with the number of the threads used in the braid or the bundle. Among different varieties, flat braid candlewicks are most commonly used. In this type of candlewick, there are three bundles braided together and marked by the number of threads it is made up of. The candlewicks with higher number of ply, are supposed to draw more wax and as a result capable of producing a larger flame. The flatness of the wick is meant to control smoking.
Finally for a better illumination, regularly trim the wick and maintain a 1/4" inch length. Also never pick up the candle by its wick after being burnt. They are so fragile that they may be torn from inside.
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