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Candle wicks - Square braid wicks

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Square braid wicks

Originally, square braid candle wicks were used to deal with the high viscosity of beeswax candles but they can also be used with paraffin wax and soywax to create large pillar candles, container candles and "novelties" candles. Their section is not actually square, rather round, but their thickness makes them able to stand up straight in a candle's melt pool. Square braid wicks are made of 100% natural cotton fibers and receive a special treatment to make them work better with highly viscous waxes.

Square braid wicks were originally designed for the viscosity of beeswax candles, however, they can also be used with soy and paraffin waxes.

They're thicker than their flat braid counterpart and can be used in pillar candles with a diameter of 125mm or more.

The classification system used by Candlewic ranges from 6/0 to 1/0, where 6/0 is the thinnest wick and 1/0 the thickest, then continues from #1 to #10, where #10 is the thickest (pretty much a piece of rope, used with outdoor terracotta citronella candles).

The difference between the two numbering schemes is that the wicks referenced #1 to #10 are braided much more loosely, which makes them thicker without making them heavier. Also note that in the 6/0 to 1/0 series, the biggest number refers to the thinnest wick whereas in the #1 to #10 series, the biggest number refers to the tickest wick.

A square braid wick is a good fit for the high viscosity of beeswax

Like the flat braid, the square braid curls slightly as it burns, allowing for a better disposal of the burnt part of the wick and reduced carbon buildup (mushrooming).

Usage of square braid wicks in tapers, pillar and container candles

Size
Used for
Burn rate
6/0
small pillars (25 to 50 mm) and tapers
4.6
5/0
small to medium pillars (25 to 63 mm) and tapers
4.6
4/0
small to medium pillars (25 to 63 mm) and tapers
5.5
3/0
medium pillars (50 to 75 mm)
6.1
2/0
medium pillars (50 to 75 mm)
6
1/0
medium pillars (50 to 75 mm)
7
#1
medium pillars (50 to 75 mm)
7.3
#2
large pillars (75 to 100 mm)
7.5
#3
large pillars (75 to 100 mm)
8.1
#4
large pillars (75 to 100 mm)
8.8
#5
large pillars (75 to 100 mm)
10
#6
extra large pillars (125 mm) and containers
10.3
#8
extra large pillars and containers
11
#10
extra large pillars and containers
12.7

It is possible that your wick supplier doesn't use the number of ply to identify flat braid wicks but rather indicates the size and type of candles they are most appropriate for.

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