Wick
Why does a wooden wick crackle?
The crackle of a wooden wick comes from moisture and the flame burning the wood. Soak it in wax first, leave the tip dry and ~5 mm. A very oily tip stays silent; wet wood goes out. Soya Wax 50 container ~51–55°C.
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Soak it
Dip the wood in melted Soya Wax 50 and lift it out. Dry wood does not absorb; wet wood goes out. An overly oily tip smothers the flame.
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Center and mm
Hold it upright with a holder. The right mm for the diameter. Thin wood gives a weak flame; thick wood in glass leaves no tunnel but can soot.
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First burn
Trim the tip dry to ~5 mm. Burn until the pool reaches the edge. A short burn tunnels; in a tunnel the crackle disappears.
Difference from cotton
Cotton is silent and sized by number. Crackle is specific to wood. The choice guide is separate.
Going out
A wood wick that does not crackle is often wet, buried at the tip or tunneling. The going-out guide is separate.
FAQs
Does every wood crackle?
No. A thick oily tip and a narrow container stay silent. Soaking and an mm test.
Is crackle soot?
No. Soot is black smoke from a long wick. Crackle is the wood splitting.
Choose Materials From Stock
You can order the product groups in this guide by quantity from the Rufus Concept catalog.