Wooden Wick Tabs: The Little Metal Base That Keeps Your Candle Wick Standing Straight

Wooden wick tabs, also called eyelets or sustainers, are small metal bases that grip the bottom of a wooden wick and hold it upright, centred and steady while you pour your candle. They are a simple but essential part of any candle-making kit, especially if you are moving from cotton wicks to crackling wooden ones.

What are wooden wick tabs?

A wick tab is a little flat metal disc with a raised clip or slot in the middle. You slide the base of a flat wooden wick into that clip, and the tab keeps the wick standing firm at the bottom of your container. Without a tab, a wooden wick would simply fall over or drift the moment you pour hot wax. The tab also lifts the very bottom edge of the wick slightly above the container base, which helps the candle burn cleanly right down to the end.

The Azlok wooden wick tabs are made in India and sold in packs of 10, 20, 50, 100, 250 and 500, starting at just Rs. 99. That range makes them handy whether you are making a single candle at home or running a small candle business.

How to use wooden wick tabs

Setting up a wooden wick with a tab is quick once you have done it a couple of times.

1. Take a flat wooden wick and push its base firmly into the slot of the metal tab until it sits snug.
2. Add a small dab of wick glue, a hot glue dot, or a bit of melted wax to the underside of the tab.
3. Press the tab down into the centre of your clean, dry container and hold it for a few seconds so it bonds.
4. Let it set, then check the wick is standing straight and centred before you pour.
5. Use a wick holder bar, clothes peg or two chopsticks across the rim to keep the wick steady while the wax cools.

Why makers prefer them

• Stability: the tab stops the wick shifting during pouring and setting.
• Cleaner burn: raising the wick base slightly helps the flame reach the last of the wax.
• Consistency: a centred wick gives an even melt pool and less tunnelling.
• Reusable-friendly: good quality metal tabs make repeat production faster.

Tips and safety notes

A few practical pointers will save you wasted wax:

• Match the size: use a tab slot that fits your wooden wick thickness. A loose fit lets the wick wobble; too tight and the wood may split.
• Centre carefully: an off-centre wick burns unevenly and can overheat one side of the glass.
• Trim the wood: keep the wooden wick trimmed to around 3-5 mm before each burn for a steady flame and that gentle crackle.
• Never leave a burning candle unattended, keep it away from children, pets and anything flammable, and burn on a heat-safe surface.
• Metal tabs get hot near the flame at the end of a burn, so always let a finished candle cool fully before handling.

Buying and storage

When buying, choose a pack size that matches how often you make candles. The 10 or 20 tab packs are ideal for trying out wooden wicks or gifting; the 100, 250 and 500 packs work out better if you sell candles or run regular batches. Total pack weight is roughly 30-60 grams depending on quantity.

Store the tabs in a dry, airtight container or zip bag away from moisture, since these are metal and can tarnish or spot if left in humid air. Keep them with the rest of your candle supplies so a wick, tab and glue are always within reach. You will find Azlok wooden wick tabs alongside our other candle-making supplies, so you can order wicks, wax and fragrance in one go.

FAQ

What is the difference between a wick tab and an eyelet?

They refer to the same thing. Wick tab, sustainer and eyelet are all names for the small metal base that holds a candle wick in place at the bottom of the container.

Can I use wooden wick tabs with cotton wicks?

Wooden wick tabs are shaped with a flat slot to grip flat wooden wicks. Cotton wicks use a round-hole tab instead, so pick the tab type that matches your wick.

How do I stick the tab to the container?

Use wick stickers, a dot of hot glue, or a little melted wax on the bottom of the tab, then press it firmly into the centre of a clean, dry container and let it bond before pouring.

Are wooden wick tabs reusable?

The metal tabs themselves are durable, but once glued into a finished candle they are usually treated as single-use. Buy a larger pack if you make candles regularly.

Which pack size should I start with?

If you are new to wooden wicks, the 10 or 20 tab pack is enough to experiment. Move up to 100 or more once you are making candles in batches or selling them.