A
candle wick is usually a braided cotton that holds the flame of a
candle or
oil lamp for a set period of time depending upon the amount of wick. A candle wick works by
capillary action, conveying ("wicking") the
fuel to the flame. When the liquid fuel, typically melted candle
wax, reaches the flame it then
vaporizes and
combusts. The candle wick influences how the candle burns. Important characteristics of the wick include diameter, stiffness, fire-resistance, and tethering.