Azlok's Pre-Waxed Candle Wicks - 5 Inch are cotton wicks already coated with natural soy wax, so they stay straight, catch light easily and burn cleanly for small to medium candles like tea-lights, votives and pillars. Because the coating is done for you, they are ready to use straight from the pack, which makes them a good starting point for anyone new to candle making.
What these wicks are and why the coating matters
A pre-waxed wick is a plain cotton wick that has been dipped in wax and dried. This thin coat of soy wax does a few useful things. It stiffens the wick so it stands upright in your mould or container. It also helps the flame establish quickly when you first light the candle, and it reduces the fluttering and stray smoke you sometimes get from an untreated wick. Azlok's wicks measure 5 inches in length with a thickness of around 1.2 mm, and each pack of 50 weighs about 50 grams.
Common uses
- Tea-light candles in small metal or plastic cups.
- Votive candles poured into short glass holders.
- Pillar candles in silicone or metal moulds.
- Festive and decorative candles for Diwali, Christmas, weddings and casual home decor.
They work well with soy wax and other common candle waxes, and are handy for hobby projects as well as small businesses making candles in modest batches.
How to use pre-waxed wicks
- Fix the wick to the base of your container or mould. For jars, a small dab of hot glue or a metal wick sustainer tab keeps it centred.
- Hold the top of the wick straight using a wick holder, a clothes peg laid across the rim, or two chopsticks.
- Melt your wax to the temperature recommended for your wax type, add fragrance and colour if you wish, and pour slowly.
- Let the candle cure and set fully before trimming the wick to about 5–6 mm above the surface.
- Light and observe the flame. A steady flame with a small, even melt pool means the wick size suits your candle.
Choosing the right wick for your candle width
Wick thickness should match the diameter of your candle. A 1.2 mm wick suits narrow candles such as tea-lights, votives and slim pillars. For wider candles you may need a thicker wick or more than one wick to melt the wax evenly. If you see a lot of leftover wax along the sides (tunnelling), the wick is likely too thin for that width; if the flame is large and sooty, it may be too thick. A little testing goes a long way.
Safety and burning tips
- Always trim the wick to roughly 5 mm before each burn to keep the flame small and reduce soot.
- Never leave a burning candle unattended, and keep it away from curtains, paper and other flammables.
- Place candles on a heat-resistant surface and keep them out of reach of children and pets.
- Handle molten wax carefully, as it can cause burns. Pour in a well-ventilated space.
- Let candles cool completely before moving them.
Buying and storage
Azlok offers these 5 inch pre-waxed wicks in packs of 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 3000, so you can buy a small quantity to experiment or a larger lot if you make candles regularly. The pack of 50 is priced at ₹149. The wicks are made in India and have a shelf life of around two years when stored well.
Keep them in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Store them flat or upright in their pack so they stay straight, and reseal the packet after use to keep dust off the waxed coating.
FAQ
Do I need to wax these wicks before using them?
No. They are already coated with natural soy wax and are ready to use straight from the pack.
What candle sizes suit a 5 inch, 1.2 mm wick?
They are best for tea-lights, votives and slim pillar candles. For wide candles, use a thicker wick or multiple wicks so the wax melts evenly across the surface.
Can I use these wicks with waxes other than soy?
Yes. The soy coating does not limit you to soy wax; the wicks work with common candle waxes. Always test a sample candle to confirm the flame and melt pool look right.
Why does my candle smoke or tunnel?
Excess smoke usually means the wick is too long or too thick, so trim it to about 5 mm. Tunnelling, where wax is left along the sides, often means the wick is too thin for the candle's width.
How long do the wicks stay good?
They have a shelf life of about two years when kept in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and moisture.