Almost every candle you've ever bought had a cotton wick — sometimes a plain braided one, sometimes cotton wrapped around a paper or metal core. Hemp wicks are the rare exception, and if you've found one, you've found a maker who went out of their way. Here's what it is and why it's worth the trouble.

What a hemp wick is

A hemp wick is exactly what it sounds like: a wick spun from the fibers of the hemp plant, usually coated in a thin layer of beeswax to help it hold a flame. No metal core, no zinc, no lead. It's one of the older wick materials there is, and one of the cleaner ones.

Hemp wick vs. cotton wick

Honestly, both can make a fine candle. But they don't burn quite the same:

  • The flame. Hemp tends to burn a little steadier and slightly slower — a calmer, more even flame, which is part of why a hemp-wick candle can feel "quieter."
  • The burn. That slower burn stretches the life of the candle and helps the wax melt evenly rather than racing down the middle.
  • What's in it. A good hemp wick is naturally lead- and metal-free. (Lead wicks were banned in the U.S. years ago, but a hemp wick skips the question entirely.)
  • The fuss. Here's the honest tradeoff: hemp wicks can be a little more particular. They like to be trimmed, and they want to be matched carefully to the wax and vessel. They're more work for the maker — which is exactly why most skip them.

Why we use them

We pour 100% natural soy, and a hemp wick is the natural partner for it: a clean wax deserves a clean wick. Together they give you the thing we're actually after — a slow, steady, even burn that's true to the scent from the first hour to the last. It's a small detail most people will never notice. We notice, and we think the candle is better for it.

Getting the most from a hemp wick

  • Trim it to about a quarter inch before every burn. Hemp especially rewards a short wick — a steadier flame, less smoke, a cleaner jar.
  • Let the first burn pool fully to the edges so it never tunnels.
  • Keep it out of drafts. A still spot lets that even flame do its thing.

The short version

A hemp wick candle trades a little extra care for a cleaner, steadier, longer burn. It's an uncommon choice because it's a harder one — and for a small-batch candle, it's exactly the kind of corner we'd rather not cut.

Every Torrey candle is hand-poured natural soy on a hemp wick, made in San Diego. Meet the current batch — or take two with a bundle.

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