Wooden Wick Candles - The Science Behind the Crackle

Our Wooden Wick candles are incredibly popular. There is something very tranquil about watching a wood wick candle burn because it has a wonderful radiant glow. Its unique characteristic though is the amazing crackling sound that it emits whilst it burns.

We chose to use Wood Wicks in our candles because they are both natural and Eco-friendly but we also wanted to give our customers the added ambience of the crackling sound that you get from Wood Wicks which is reminiscent of a burning fire. It is this unique feature that makes our Wood Wick candles so appealing.

"So what makes my Wood Wick candle crackle?" 

It’s a question I get asked a lot so get ready for the science bit.........

Wooden wicks are made of softwood, in our case we use wood wicks from the maple tree. 

 To prepare softwoods for wood burning use, it undergoes a process to reduce the amount of moisture in the wood. When this occurs, gaps are created and small pockets of water are left behind.

When the wood is burned, the water becomes heated to a point that causes it to boil and release steam. If the steam becomes trapped, the pressure is exerted on the surrounding wood causing it to weaken and give. The steam that is released creates small bursts of flames giving rise to the signature crackling sound.

The level of crackle in our crackling Wooden Wicks will be affected by a number of different factors;

• The type of wax used will influence the degree of crackle. We only use 100% Soy Wax in our candles and it is perfectly suited to wooden wicks.
• The amount and type of fragrance oil in each candle. The crackle you hear comes from any of the chemical compounds present in your candle reaching their respective flashpoints. These may include moisture present in the wick, wax and fragrance.
• The type of wooden wick used and whether or not it is the correct size for the type of candle vessel can also influence the intensity of the crackle.

Our Wood Wick candles are a great option for apartment and home dwellers who desire a beautifully scented candle with the sound of crackling wood in the background. Wood Wick candles are the perfect mood enhancer for any time and day of the year but there is something special about lighting a Molly and Me Wood Wick Candle in Autumn and Winter when the darkness falls and you can enjoy the shadows they cast.

Check out our range of beautiful Wood Wick Candles on our website at mollyandmecandles.co.uk.

Want to learn more about the science behind candle making? Check out our upcoming Blog Posts for lots more fascinating facts!