Whats the best method for splicing #16 stranded with #14 solid?

For example I usually pretwist all my connections but with the smaller stranded I usually just twist the stranded together and then slightly lead the stranded wire in front of the solid when applying a wirenut. That's how the IDEAL nuts I have say to do it in the direction.

Is this method secure?

It always seem strange to me to take meticulous care of all my solid to solid connections in junction boxes etc and then when I get to an appliance (say a dedicated dishwasher) the integrity of the entire circuit depends on this small stranded to larger solid connection that never feels as sound as a pretwisted solid to solid joint.

 

That sounds fine to me. On those sizes I'd use a 72B small blue wire nut.

 

Check out the Scothlock 2 Orange and Blue wire nuts ,they work great.
Geo

 

Your method is fine and works very well.

 

You mention using the smaller wirenuts (orange.blue)

For that connection I used a yellow ideal wing twist. It said ok for 1 #14 or 2#16... Still seemed kind of large though.

PS- This was on a heaters fan and controls, very important connection. Should I have considered solder or some other technicque for a critical splice like this?

 

If the wire nuts are exposed to extreme heat you should use ceramic wire nuts not plastic. Might even want to use class H wire if over 90°C.

 

I would not consider solder necessary.

 

How much tugging do you do on the connection to satisfy yourself that it is sound?

 

A slight tug is all that is necessary. Too hard may break the strands.