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My Reward PointsWhen a candle wick burns more wax than it can handle, a "mushroom" forms at the end; this phenomenon is known as candle wick mushrooming. This issue indicates the wick is too large, and preventing mushrooming ensures a cleaner, safer, and more enjoyable burning experience. This blog will show you why this issue happens and how to avoid it:
What Is Candle Wick Mushrooming?
A phenomenon known as "candle wick mushrooming" occurs when a candle's wick burns too hot. The problem of candle wick mushrooming is also referred to as "clubbing."
The process leads to a buildup of carbon on the wick, resulting in a small protrusion that resembles a mushroom. It is possible that mushrooming is an indication that there is a problem with the candle's burning conditions, even though some individuals may find it to be aesthetically beautiful.
What Causes Wick Mushrooming In Candles?
Wick mushrooming in candles can be caused by factors like a large wick, an incorrect wick-wax ratio, excessive fragrance oil use, a long burn time, and a lack of wick trimming.
1. Wick Size
An excessively large wick may result in a candle mushroom wick, which is a condition in which the wick absorbs more wax than the flame can burn, causing carbon buildup and incomplete combustion.
2. Poor Wick-Wax Ratio
A poor wick-to-wax ratio can lead to wick mushrooming in candles, which is characterised by a black, carbon-filled ball forming at the tip of the wick when it burns excessive wax and generates more carbon than it can effectively burn.
3. Fragrance Oil Overuse
Overuse of fragrance oil in candlemaking can cause incomplete combustion, leading to carbon accumulation causing a mushroom candle wick appearance. This occurs because the flame cannot burn up all surplus fuel, allowing carbon buildup.
4. Long Burn Time
Long burn durations can cause mushroom wicks in candles, where the wick accumulates carbon, forming a mushroom shape near the tip. This can lead to an unstable and larger flame, which may produce soot and smoke.
5. Lack Of Wick Trimming
Lack of wick trimming can lead to wick mushrooming in candles, where a carbon mass forms on the wick's tip, resembling a mushroom, due to improper trimming, allowing extra carbon to accumulate.
How To Prevent Mushrooming Candle Wicks
There are several strategies to avoid mushrooming candle wicks, including wick trimming, utilising the proper wick size, limiting burn time, using appropriate fragrance loading, and keeping the candle surface clean.
1. Trim The Wick Before Burning.
Trimming candle wicks helps prevent mushrooming by removing carbon buildup during burning. In addition to ensuring a clean flame, trimming the wick to 1/4 inch before each burn stops the wick from absorbing too much-melted wax, which would otherwise cause it to mushroom.
2. Right Wick Size
Choosing the right wick size is crucial to prevent candle wick mushrooming, which occurs when the wick burns too hot or for too long, leading to excess carbon buildup and a black mushroom-like top.
3. Limit Burn Time.
Limiting burn time helps prevent mushrooming wicks by reducing carbon buildup. Overheating can result in a mushroom on a candle wick. Regular wick cutting and avoiding long burn times can help alleviate this issue.
4. Fragrance Loads
To prevent mushrooming in candle wicks, use a fragrance load within the wax's suggested percentage and do not exceed its maximum capacity. Cut the wick before each burn to prevent mushrooms and avoid overloading the candle.
5. Keep The Candle Surface Clean.
To prevent mushrooming and maintain clean burning, cut the wick to 1/4 inch before use, avoid drafts, use high-quality candles, regularly clean surface residue, and sustain optimal burn periods to prevent overburning.
Conclusion
To summarise, mushrooming candle wicks are a common but readily avoidable problem that can occur when burning candles. You can lessen the likelihood of mushrooming and enjoy a safer and more enjoyable candle-burning experience by using the appropriate wick size, burning candles for shorter periods of time, and selecting candles produced from specific types of wax.
FAQs
Q. Is candle mushrooming normal?
Spherical carbon deposits at the wick end, commonly known as candle mushrooming, are both expected and normal. Still, excessive mushrooming can degrade a candle's performance, causing flickering, sooting, or uneven burning.
Q. Can too much fragrance oil cause mushrooming?
Excess fragrance oil can cause mushrooming in candles due to incomplete combustion, where the wick fails to burn all the fuel, resulting in carbon deposits on the wick.
Q. How to fix wick mushrooming?
Luckily, if you have a mushroom wick candle, the solution is rather straightforward. All you have to do is trim the wick of your candle (once it is no longer burning).
Q. Why do some candles keep mushrooming?
Candle mushrooming, caused by incomplete combustion of wax and excess fragrance oils, often results from a large wick or insufficient oxygen delivery, accumulating carbon deposits faster than the flame can consume them.
