Used-up candle jars can be a great addition to your next DIY project if you know how to properly clean and reuse them. Even if you don’t have the time, it’s still useable as a perfectly good glass container, or even drinking glass. However, cleaning the candle jar itself can get quite complicated, especially the wick.

So, how to remove metal wick from candle jar? Well, you can remove it by heating it up or using an adhesive remover. Read on the set of instructions on removing a metal wick from scented candle jars.

Methods of Removing Metal Wick from Candle Jars

Removing leftover wax from a candle jar that’s almost finished can be easy. You just scrape everything off, although it can take some time to properly scraper everything. However, the metal wick, or the wick base, can be a bit hard to remove, since most of the time those are glued in place with strong adhesive.

So, here goes our top five methods to remove that stubborn wick.

Method 1: Using Hot Water

Boil some water, enough to fill the candle jar. Wait for a few minutes before pouring the water in, you don’t want to break the jar with excessive heat. Now pour the hot water into the jar, you don’t need to fill it all the way, just enough to fully submerge the metal wick into hot water. Now wait for about 10 minutes or more, depending on the strength of your adhesive. This will loosen up the adhesive which makes it easier to remove. Then use a tweezer or pliers to pull it off.If you don’t have any of those tools, use a knife and try to scrape it off gently. 

This method is an all-in-one solution since you can use this method to remove unused wax from the jar too. Sometimes, after pouring hot water, the metal wick comes off automatically, just like wax does.

Remember to use oven mitts or kitchen gloves when handling hot water and a hot candle jar. You don’t want your fingers to burn.

Method 2: Freeze it Out

If you aren’t comfortable with hot water, which can be a bit risky, to be honest, this method is for you. while heat can loosen up the adhesive, cold temperatures can freeze it out, which can be easier to scrape off.

To do this, leave your empty candle jar in the freezer overnight, or at least for six hours or more. Once the jar is frozen, remove it from the freezer and use a butter knife or a spoon to scrape off the metal wick along with any leftover wax.

This method, although easier to perform, requires more time. So, if you are in a hurry, use the hot water method instead.

Method 3: Use Adhesive Remover

If the adhesive is too strong and can’t be loosened even with hot water, you need to use an adhesive remover. Apply a good amount of any adhesive remover on and around the metal wick and wait for a few minutes to let it do its job. Check the instructions on the adhesive remover container to find out how long it takes to loosen up the adhesive. Then gently remove the wick with any pointy thing.

Method 4: Use a Heat Gun or Hair Dryer

You can use a heat gun or a hair dryer to remove that metal wick from the candle jar. If you own a heat gun, use it to blow hot air on the metal wick for a few minutes. Keep checking on the wick to see if the adhesive on the metal wick has loosened up. When it is, remove it with a pliers or tweezer. Remember, not to use your hand, as the metal wick will be plenty hot to burn your fingers.

However, if you don’t own a heat gun, you can use your hair dryer. It’ll take slightly longer, but the end results are more or less the same. Just set your hair dryer to hot and do the same.

Method 5: Use the Oven

Another method to loosen up those sticky adhesives on a metal wick is to use the oven. Preheat your oven to 100 degrees Celsius or 150 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Then put the candle jar inside the oven, preferably on a sheet of aluminum foil. After 10 to 15 minutes, the adhesive should loosen up. Remove the jar from the oven and pull off the metal wick. Remember not to touch the hot candle jar with your bare hands.

Unlike the previous method, you can use this method to clean up the candle jar as well. the working principle here is the same as the first method, but it’s more efficient.

That’s it. You are now the proud owner of a shiny candle jar. You can now throw those metal wicks away. Or you can reuse them to make your own scented jar candles. Just get a new wick inside the metal wick tab and you are good to go. 

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions and Answers)

Why is there metal in my candle wick?

The wick is there to act as a support to keep the wick upright when the candle burns. Also, it provides structural integrity which helps during the production of the candle.

Can I use scissors to cut a candle wick?

Yes, if you don’t own a wick trimmer, you can use scissors. However, don’t use a pair of scissors if the wick isn’t made of cotton.

What happens if you don’t cut the wick?

Not trimming your wick increases the chance of tunneling. Tunneling occurs when the wick is excessively long, leading to an intense flame and the excessive burning of wax.

Final Thoughts

Most of the time, the metal wick should come right off when you are cleaning the candle jar. It’s the wax that holds it down most of the time. however, if it still doesn’t come off after a good clean-up, use one of the methods described above to remove the candle wick from the jar. You can use a toothpick or a spoon as a prying tool and see if you can remove it with a gentle push. Always take necessary precautions.

Good luck and thanks for reading.