>...clog with impurities to the extent that the wick drowns in melted wax.

I have never heard of this happening before.  Cleaning wax with water can 
leave very small amounts in the wax which will cause sputtering.

Are you using the correct size of wick (diameter)?  Beeswax candles require 
the next size up from that used for paraffin wax candles.  If you are use 
too small a wick, the wax does not burn off quickly enough and it drowns in 
the pool.

Best wishes

Peter
52.194546N, -1.673618W 

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html

Guidelines for posting to BEE-L can be found at:
http://honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm