How to Make Triple Wick Candles

Whether it’s enjoying a longer burn time or relishing a stronger scent throw, learning how to make a candle with three wicks can make a real difference to your living spaces.

If you love candle making and are looking to change things up a little, then crafting a triple wick candle could be your next challenge.

Here we explain how to make a candle with three wicks, so you can add a luxurious ambience to your home.

How long do 3 wick candles last?

As a rough estimate, you can expect most candles to burn for 5-7 hours per ounce.

The major advantage of using 3 wicks in the candle making process is that it helps to increase the burn time, even if it weighs the same as a single wick candle.

The reason why 3 wick candles have a slower burn rate is because they help to produce a more even burn through the wax.

This means the wax does not tunnel through the centre of the candle, minimising the amount of wasted wax.

How to make a candle with three wicks

Before you make your own candles with 3 wicks, make sure you have the following to hand:

• KeraSoy 4130 (wax for candle making)
• ECO 12 Wicks
• 50 ml of fragrance oils or essential oils for candles
• 3g of candle dye
• 55cl round flat dish container
• Glue dots

Instructions on how to make 3 wick candles

1. Measure the wax

Add around 440g of wax to the 55cl dish (although it is a good idea to add a little more just to ensure it fits your container).

2. Melt the wax

Once you have finished weighing the wax, add it to a double boiler and slowly melt on a medium heat.

3. Plan the wick placement

Place the container onto a piece of paper and draw around it to create a circle outline to create a template. Next, mark the areas where you would like to add the three wicks, ensuring that they are at least 1.5 inches apart.

4. Prep the container

Line up the container with the circle on the piece of paper. Use the glue dots and place them onto the container in the same spots as the marks you have created on the paper.

Cut a triangle between two of the marks which you can use later to pour the wax through. Then cut small holes where each of the marks are on the paper.

You can then place the template on top of the container and feed the wicks through, which will help to secure the wicks when it comes to pouring in the wax.

5. Add the dye

Once the wax has completely melted, check that it is no hotter than 65°C. You can then add the dye, taking care to stir it in until it has completely blended.

6. Add the essential oil

The wax is ready for you to add 50 ml of essential oils. Carefully pour into the mixture taking time to ensure that there are no bubbles, as they can remain present in the wax when it has cooled down.

7. Pour the wax

Let the wax cool to 55-60°C and when ready, carefully pour it into the container through the triangle cut into the template.

Don’t fill all the way to the top, as you will need to leave some space. After 30 minutes, check for any sinkholes that may have appeared, and add more wax if needed. You can leave the wax to set for 24-48 hours.

8. Trim the wick

Once the wax has set, remove the template from the top of the container and trim the wicks to around 5mm.

How to burn a three-wick candle

You can burn a three-wick candle in exactly the same way as any other candle, with the only difference being that you will need to light three wicks, instead of one.

Using a BBQ lighter or an electric lighter might make it a little easier to ignite all the wicks, which is safer than relying on a match or smaller lighter, as you don’t have to worry about reaching across a flame with your bare hand.

Final thoughts

Learning how to make a candle with three wicks is relatively easy, especially if you are an experienced candlemaker.

The process is almost identical to making a single wick candle, with the only difference being that you have to ensure you prepare the container properly to accommodate the three wicks.

Once ready, you should have a larger candle that will last for longer, allowing you to get even more from your favourite essential oil or fragrance oil.