What to know about wicks

Candlemakers say that the most important part of a candle is the wick. About 80% of wicks are made of cotton or a cotton paper blend. For longer burning time, a candle will have a tightly knitted or braided wick, which draws the liquid wax up to the flame slowly. Loosely twisted wicks, such as those in birthday candles, burn more quickly than braided ones. You can also buy candles with self-trimming wicks, which curl into the flame as the candle burns down.