Wood wick candles are one of life's simple pleasures — that gentle crackling sound, the warm glow, the beautifully even burn. But if you've ever had a wood wick candle that tunnelled, drowned, or simply refused to stay lit, you'll know they need a little more care than a standard cotton wick. Here's everything you need to know to get the very best from your wood wick candle.

Why Wood Wick Candles Are Different

Unlike cotton wicks, wood wicks are flat and wide, which means they draw wax differently. They produce a broader, more even melt pool and that signature crackling sound that mimics a real fireplace. The trade-off is that they require a bit more attention — especially on the first burn. Want to know more about how our candles are made? Read our behind the scenes guide.

The First Burn Is Everything

The most important rule of wood wick candle care: always allow a full melt pool on the first burn. This means burning your candle until the wax has melted all the way to the edges of the jar — which typically takes 2–4 hours depending on the diameter.

Skipping this step causes tunnelling — where the wax burns straight down the middle, leaving a thick ring of unused wax around the sides. Once tunnelling starts, it's very difficult to reverse.

Trim Your Wick Before Every Burn

Wood wicks should be trimmed to around 3–5mm before each use. A wick that's too long will produce a large, flickering flame and may cause the candle to smoke. Use a wick trimmer, nail clippers, or simply snap off the charred tip with your fingers once the wax has fully cooled and set.

If your wick has mushroomed or has a lot of carbon build-up, always remove this before relighting.

How to Light a Wood Wick

Wood wicks can be a little trickier to light than cotton wicks. Hold your flame horizontally along the length of the wick rather than just touching the tip — this helps the entire wick catch. A long-reach lighter or a match works well. Give it a few seconds; wood wicks sometimes take a moment to establish their flame.

If your wick keeps going out, it may be too long — trim it down a little and try again.

Burn Time Guidelines

• Minimum burn time: At least 1 hour per session to allow the wax to melt evenly
• Maximum burn time: No more than 4 hours in a single session
• Let it cool: Allow the wax to fully set before relighting

Keep Your Candle Away from Draughts

Draughts are the enemy of an even burn. Keep your candle away from open windows, fans, and air conditioning vents. A flickering flame caused by moving air will cause uneven melting and can lead to tunnelling.

When to Stop Burning

Stop burning your candle when there is approximately 1cm of wax remaining at the bottom of the jar. Burning below this level can cause the jar to overheat.

Storing Your Candle

Store your candle in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. UV light can cause the wax to discolour and may affect the fragrance over time. Always replace the cork lid when not in use — it protects the wax surface, keeps dust out, and helps preserve the scent for longer.

Troubleshooting Common Wood Wick Problems

Candle won't stay lit: Trim the wick shorter and ensure there's no debris in the melt pool.

Flame is too large: Wick is too long — extinguish, let cool, and trim before relighting.

Candle is tunnelling: Try a candle warmer to melt the excess wax, or use a foil tent method to reflect heat back onto the surface.

Weak scent throw: Ensure you're burning in a smaller room and that the melt pool is fully established before judging the scent. For more on choosing the right fragrance for your space, see our scent profiles guide.

With a little care and attention, your wood wick candle will reward you with hours of beautiful fragrance and that irresistible crackling ambience. Happy burning!