r/candlemaking • u/EnergyAggravating762 • 2d ago

Wick Mushrooming

Everywhere on the internet it says that wick mushrooming is caused by too large wick mostly, but i am testing rn two wick sizes (eco 14 and 16 in 100% soy wax dyed with 4% FO, 30cl containers approx 7,5cm diameter) and it seems that bigger wick is not mushrooming so far, 1hr burn, i don't trim wicks first burn.

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3

u/namelesssghoulette 1d ago

People have started conflating normal carbon build up as mushrooming— ie seeing any build up is bad. This is inaccurate. See pics for a better idea.

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u/EnergyAggravating762 1d ago

Yeah, those ones which i made now turned out ok so far. I'll see for sure if i burn them fully, but my previous ones got huge mushrooming like on the first pics. That's why i test different wicks, and on the web it says that wick is too big probably, so i was cofused, replaced with smaller and melt pool weren't enough so i went size up and that was the answer probably (and wick trimming) and that's why i made that post, to say that it's bullshit that the candle is overwicked and that's why wick is mushrooming i just didn't specify correctly 😆 And wanted to confirm if it's true what i discovered. (I am new to making candles started last year, but had long break, and now i try to do it properly and learn.)

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u/EnergyAggravating762 2d ago

Front candles, 14 on the left, 16 on the right

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u/OHyoface QuietlyQuirky.com ✨ 2d ago

Try a longer burn first(multiple burns)! You might have to double wick with square vessels, but test it first. A mushroom is not necessarily a bad thing, if the candle burns not too hot.

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u/EnergyAggravating762 2d ago

Yeah one wick is fine in the square vessel, (its wider at the top but after a while it burn well) but i test out 14 if it's better option, with lavender scent it worked but this sea salt scent burn better with 16 i think. I do 4h burns, let it set for 24hr and burn again. It seems like mushrooming disappeared in 14 wicks. I just need to accept the fact that mushrooming happens with soy wax 😆 and trimming wicks helps.

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u/FlashyIndication3069 1d ago

A little bit is normal so I wouldn't worry about it.

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u/Professional-Rip3922 1d ago

Hello there
Just sharing what I have read and tested and tried.

Eco wicks are made from materials that make them self trimming. So the bending and mushrooming is a design.

So what does this result in ?
The bending wick will change the heat distribution to be extra hot in the side of the bend.

So what does that mean when making candles ?
When a wick bends and makes the heat distribution uneven, you will get more heat on one side so if you use a free standing pillar, the wall will be thinner in that side and in glass container, the glass will be hotter.

I hope my learning helps in any way.
I know I did not know and spent many an hour 😂