Maddie James
Tallow candles are made from animal fat and have been used for centuries. They are inexpensive and easy to make, and they burn slowly, giving off good light. However, tallow candles are naturally soft, and their consistency has been compared to that of Crisco or lard. This softness can be an issue in hot weather, as the candles may melt. To combat this, candle makers have added beeswax or paraffin wax to harden the tallow.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Softness | Tallow candles are softer than wax candles and can make fingers greasy. |
| Hardening | Adding beeswax or paraffin wax to tallow can help harden it. |
| Scent | Tallow candles can be scented with essential oils. Some tallow has a strong scent, while others have hardly any scent. |
| Toxicity | Tallow candles are toxin-free and do not release toxic compounds like acetone, benzene, and toluene, which are found in paraffin wax candles. |
| Use | Tallow candles are inexpensive and easy to make, and can be used for emergencies, power outages, and everyday use. |
| Historical Use | Tallow has been used to make candles since ancient times, including in Ancient Rome. |
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What You'll Learn
Tallow candles are soft, but why?
Tallow candles are made from animal fats, such as beef or deer tallow, and have been used for centuries. They are known for their clean-burning properties and natural abundance, but one common issue with tallow candles is that they often turn out softer than expected.
Several factors can contribute to the softness of tallow candles. Firstly, the type of fat used can play a significant role. For instance, suet tallow, derived from the fat surrounding the loins and kidneys of cattle, tends to produce softer candles compared to other fats. Additionally, environmental factors, such as high temperatures, can cause tallow candles to become softer or even melt. This is an important consideration, especially in warmer climates or during the summer months.
To address the issue of softness, some candle makers have experimented with adding hardening agents to their tallow mixtures. Beeswax or paraffin wax, for example, can be combined with tallow to create a firmer consistency. Bone glue, a traditional ingredient in candle-making, has also been used historically to make tallow candles harder and less greasy.
While soft tallow candles may be well-suited for certain applications, such as liquid-fuelled enclosed lanterns, it is understandable that candle makers would want to adjust the consistency for different purposes. By experimenting with different fats, adding hardening agents, and controlling storage conditions, it is possible to influence the softness of tallow candles and create a more desirable product.
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How to make tallow candles harder
Tallow candles are made from animal fat and have been used for thousands of years. They are inexpensive and easy to make, but they can be soft.
Use Leaf Lard or Backbone Fat
The type of fat you use can affect the hardness of your tallow candles. Try using leaf lard or backbone fat instead of suet or other types of fat. Leaf lard is the highest grade of lard, and it comes from the fat around the kidneys and loins of the pig. It has a higher melting point than other types of lard, so it will make your candles harder.
Add Beeswax or Paraffin Wax
If you want to use suet or another type of fat, you can add beeswax or paraffin wax to your tallow to help harden it. You can experiment with different ratios of tallow to wax to find the right balance for your desired hardness.
Add Salt
Mixing in salt can help make tallow candles harder. However, it's important to use kosher or regular salt and not iodized salt, as microwaving iodized salt can create radioactive iodine, which is a carcinogen.
Use the Right Containers
Using jars or tins for your tallow candles can help contain the soft candle and keep it burning longer. Make sure to gently warm the jars before pouring in the tallow to prevent cracking or shattering.
Adjust the Environment
Tallow candles can become soft in high temperatures. To make them harder, store them in a cool, dry place and avoid exposing them to direct sunlight or heat sources.
By following these tips, you should be able to make harder tallow candles that are less likely to melt or become too soft.
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Tallow candles vs wax candles
Tallow candles are made from animal fat, while wax candles are typically made from soy or paraffin wax. Tallow was the primary fat used to make candles for centuries due to its natural abundance and clean-burning properties. However, in the 1500s, beeswax was introduced as an alternative to tallow, and many began to prefer it because it was easier to create a clean-smelling candle with.
The quality of tallow candles varies depending on the source and quality of the rendered fat. Tallow candles can be made from beef tallow, which can be sourced from a local farm, or venison tallow, which can be obtained through hunting. They are easy and inexpensive to make, supporting local farms and providing a toxin-free alternative to modern candles. Tallow candles are also useful in emergencies or power outages and can be used for everyday use.
On the other hand, wax candles, particularly those made from paraffin wax, can release toxic compounds when burned, such as acetone, benzene, and toluene, which are known to cause lung cancer and asthma. However, wax candles are more readily available on the market today and come in various forms, including soy candles and bayberry wax candles.
One advantage of tallow candles is that they can be scented with essential oils, such as cedarwood, cinnamon, fir, sandalwood, geranium, patchouli, or myrrh. However, a disadvantage of tallow candles is that they may remain soft, especially in high temperatures. To harden tallow candles, some people add beeswax or paraffin wax to the tallow. Additionally, tallow, being an animal fat, is more prone to becoming rancid.
Overall, both tallow and wax candles have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. Tallow candles offer a natural, inexpensive, and toxin-free option, while wax candles provide convenience and a wider range of choices but may release toxic compounds when burned.
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The history of tallow candles
Tallow candles have a rich history that dates back to ancient times. They are made from rendered animal fat, typically from cattle or sheep, and have been used for lighting, religious rituals, and daily activities. Evidence suggests that the Egyptians and Romans were among the first to create candles using tallow, with the earliest use of candles often attributed to the Ancient Egyptians in the form of rushlights or torches created from reeds soaked in melted animal fat.
During the Middle Ages, tallow candles became an integral part of daily life in Europe, used in homes, churches, and even for telling time through "candle clocks". They were crafted by candle makers, known as chandlers, who also oversaw the production of sauces, vinegar, soap, and cheese. The Tallow Chandlers Company of London, formed around 1300, is a testament to the importance of this trade.
Tallow candles held cultural significance in various societies, such as during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah and in Scandinavian countries, where they were believed to ward off evil spirits. They were also mentioned in the Bible and were reportedly used by Emperor Constantine during an Easter service in the 4th century.
However, tallow candles had their drawbacks. They emitted an unpleasant odour due to the presence of glycerine, and their smoke and soot could be problematic. With the introduction of beeswax candles in Europe during the Middle Ages, a preferred alternative emerged. Beeswax burned cleaner and emitted a pleasant fragrance, but its higher cost restricted its use to the wealthy, churches, and royal events.
The 18th and 19th centuries brought significant changes to candlemaking with the introduction of spermaceti, derived from sperm whale oil, and the development of stearin wax from stearic acid. These new types of wax were harder, less odorous, and provided a brighter light. The growth of the whaling industry and the discovery of how to extract stearic acid from animal fatty acids marked pivotal moments in the evolution of candlemaking.
Despite these advancements, tallow candles remained relevant, and with the introduction of the lightbulb in 1879, candlemaking as a whole experienced a decline. However, in the first half of the 20th century, candles enjoyed a resurgence due to the increased availability of byproducts from the oil and meatpacking industries, which provided the basic ingredients for candle-making. Today, tallow candles are still valued for their ease of creation, low cost, and support of local farms, even as modern alternatives like soy or paraffin wax candles have become more common.
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Scented tallow candles
Tallow candles are easy and inexpensive to make and provide a natural, toxin-free alternative to modern candles. They can be made from animal fats, such as beef tallow or venison tallow, and are often sourced from local farms. While tallow candles are usually unscented, some people choose to add essential oils to their candles to create scented tallow candles.
To make scented tallow candles, you can follow a similar process to making regular tallow candles. First, you'll need to render the animal fat to create tallow. During this process, you can add essential oils to scent the tallow. It's important to use essential oils with a high flash point, such as cedarwood, cinnamon, fir, sandalwood, geranium, patchouli, or myrrh. You can also use scented crayons to add colour and fragrance to your candles.
When the tallow has cooled, you can add 40-50 drops of essential oil to an 8 oz jar, depending on the desired intensity of the scent. It's important to use a jar that is fire-proof and heat-resistant. You can gently warm the jar in the oven or with warm water to prevent cracking or shattering when pouring in the warm tallow.
Once the tallow is in the jar, you can add the wick. It's recommended to use natural wicks, such as hemp, and you may need more than one wick depending on the size of your jar. Use two pencils or sticks to hold the wick in place while the tallow cools and hardens.
While some people add beeswax or paraffin wax to their tallow to help it harden, this is not necessary. Tallow candles may have a softer consistency, but this can be managed by using a jar or container to hold the candle. Jars can also help contain any drips and keep the candle burning longer, especially in high temperatures.
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Frequently asked questions
Tallow candles are softer than wax candles and can make your fingers greasy. The softness of the candle also depends on the type of fat used. For example, candles made with suet tend to be softer than those made with leaf lard.
Tallow is made from animal fat, which is naturally softer than wax.
You can add beeswax or paraffin wax to your tallow to help it harden. Historically, bone glue was also used to make tallow candles harder.
Tallow candles are inexpensive and easy to make, they support local farms, and they provide a toxin-free alternative to modern candles.
