What is Hemp Wick and What is it Used For?

What is hemp wick?

Environmentally sustainable | Incredibly versatile | Renewable resource

        As sustainability becomes a driving priority within the world around us, it would be crazy to overlook the comprehensive benefits of the fast-growing hemp plant. Its influence spans over the past 10,000 years as hemp fibers can be refined into a wide range of commercial items from textiles (hemp fiber is 10x stronger than cotton) to building materials (stronger than wood and cheaper to produce) to protein-rich foods (hemp seeds contain Omega-6 and Omega-3 essential fatty acids that have heart health and anti inflammatory benefits). Hemp is even helping society transition to using more sustainable paper as making paper from hemp employs fewer caustic and toxic chemicals than making paper from trees. Taking advantage of these varied uses has led to basic but innovative products that can benefit many different activities.

        This brings us to a very simple and effective product: hemp wick! Produced by working hemp fibers into twine and then coating the twine in beeswax, the result is an incredibly versatile twine that can be used for almost any activity imaginable. You might be wondering: what is hemp wick used for really? What is good hemp wick and what should you look for as you try this awesome new resource?

What is hemp wick used for?

Natural alternative to butane lighters | Candle wicks | Gardening | Crafts | Camping

When considering the question “what is hemp wick used for,” the answers can be endless. Because of its convenience (and apparent health benefits) hemp wick has become a well-known natural alternative to using conventional butane lighters within the medical marijuana community. Smokers have been using hemp wick to light bowls or bongs, finding it much more satisfying to “light their herb with herb.” It should be noted though that smokers are not the only people that can take advantage of this unique product.

Smokers have been using hemp wick to light bowls or bongs, finding it much more satisfying to “light their herb with herb.”

You’d be surprised at how it can be applied to a multitude of everyday activities! Hemp wick holds a respectable place within the crafting community especially, as it is perfect for using as wicks in candle making or even as a sturdy, decorative twine. Crafters and candle enthusiasts have found that bleached wicks covered in questionable waxes can cause harmful or unknown chemicals to be released in the air when burning homemade candles.

Hemp wick is perfect for using as wicks in candle making or even as a sturdy, decorative twine.

Hemp wick will burn slower than other wicks (even other natural options like jute) with a lower temperature flame and little to no smoke. Your candles will last longer and the burning experience will be infinitely more pleasant.

With its beeswax coating, hemp wick is essentially waterproof making it a reliable tool for the outdoors as well. It can be your best friend while camping, used as tinder to start fires or to light pilot lights without worry of damp weather. The wax also gives the wick strength and rigidity, allowing you to use it as you would rope. You can truly use it for everything, from constructing camping structures to organizing gardens (the beeswax will naturally attract bees, an awesome added bonus for gardeners!). Understanding the wide range of uses that hemp wick provides, Twisted Bee makes a standard size hemp wick (~1.0mm) and a thick hemp wick (~2.0mm) that gives a bigger flame and slower burn . This way, we can provide you with the highest quality hemp wick for any kind of use.

        As more and more people are becoming aware of hemp wick with its ease of use and range of benefits, the possibilities of use seem endless. Try hemp wick today; the hype will quickly become apparent and you’ll see how something so simple can be so versatile. Shoot us a quick message, we’d love to hear about the creative ways you’ve put your hemp wick to work!

What should I look for in high quality hemp wick?

Tightly twisted strands | Consistent coating of beeswax | Natural color | Slow burn | No drip

If you are looking to try hemp wick out and are not sure what to look for, try to find tightly twisted twine and a consistent coating of beeswax. This will not only provide you with a slow, constant burn but also will eliminate problems with wax dripping off of the wick. Cheaply made hemp wick can have clumps of beeswax in some areas leaving bits of the wick with barely any coating, resulting in a messy, uneven, and unpredictable burn with flare ups.

Tightly twisted twine and a consistent coating of beeswax.

You also want to avoid hemp wick that is bleached or dyed as it takes away the natural qualities of the hemp. If using hemp wick for smoking; natural, dark/golden brown twine will allow you to experience the true natural flavor of your herb or tobacco, unburdened by bleach and other chemicals.

Natural, dark/golden brown twine will allow you to experience the true natural flavor of your herb or tobacco, unburdened by bleach and other chemicals.

The smell of the wick should be natural as well. Twisted Bee’s spools give off a slight honey scent highlighting our use of high quality natural beeswax as opposed to soy wax or paraffin.