system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why does a candle need a wick in order for the wax to burn?

Wow, this really blew up! Thanks everyone who answered :)
gpt
The wax doesn't burn while it's solid, or even liquid. It melts and gets sucked up the wick where the heat of the flame boils it and the vapors burn. A big old pool of wax will burn without a wick, but you have to get it super hot first and get it to start boiling and those fumes need to ignite and keep the thing going.