Maddie James
Candles have been used as a source of light for thousands of years, and animal fats have long been a common ingredient. Today, lard, or pig fat, is a popular choice for candle-making due to its natural and biodegradable qualities. However, one of the most common questions people ask about lard candles is whether they give off an unpleasant odour. While some people note that lard candles can have a burnt or porky smell, others claim that there is no aroma at all. To counteract any unwanted scent, candle-makers often add essential oils to their lard candles, with popular choices including lavender, mint, and tea tree oil.
Characteristics of Lard Candles
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smell | Some lard candles have no smell, while others have a "'porky' aroma. The type of fat used can influence the scent, with leaf lard being nearly odourless and back fat having a stronger smell. Essential oils can be added to scent the candles and mask any unwanted aromas. |
| Ingredients | Lard candles are made from rendered pig fat, specifically the fat obtained during butchering. Lard from pasture-raised pigs is often used and valued for its high-quality fat composition. |
| Benefits | Lard candles are inexpensive, long-burning, and natural. They are biodegradable, non-toxic, and do not release harmful chemicals or pollutants into the air when burned. |
| Customisation | Lard candles can be customised with essential oils to add fragrance. Popular options include lavender, mint, lemongrass, bergamot, and peppermint. |
| Availability | Lard candles are available for purchase on websites like Etsy, with options for customisation and personalisation. |
| DIY | It is possible to make your own lard candles at home, with some people sharing their experiences and step-by-step guides online. |
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What You'll Learn
The different types of lard and their respective scents
Lard is a semi-solid white fat product obtained from rendering the fatty tissue of a pig. It is commonly used in cooking and baking, acting as a replacement for butter or other oils. While lard is mostly odourless and tasteless, some people note a slight porky smell. This can be masked by adding essential oils to the lard.
Leaf Lard
Leaf lard is considered the choicest lard available. It is obtained from the flare visceral fat deposit surrounding the kidneys and inside the loin of the pig. This type of lard is distinguished by its soft and creamy texture and smooth consistency. It is commonly used for baking and is prized for its neutral taste and lack of trans fats. Leaf lard is also known for its high smoke point and low melting point.
Beef Tallow
Beef tallow is derived from the fat of cattle and is commonly used for deep frying, searing meats, and adding a robust, beefy flavour to dishes. It is a versatile, cost-effective, and long-lasting cooking fat that can be reused, making it a popular choice for commercial kitchens.
Vegetable Lard
Vegetable lard, such as Crisco, can be used as a substitute for animal-based lard in certain applications, such as candle-making. However, it may not have the same performance characteristics as animal-based lard, especially in cooking applications.
While the type of lard does not seem to affect its scent, the process of rendering lard can impact its smell. If not properly rendered, lard can develop a burnt odour that is difficult to mask. However, with proper rendering techniques, lard can be nearly odourless and tasteless, making it a versatile ingredient for various culinary applications.
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Adding essential oils to lard candles
Lard candles are inexpensive and easy to make. They are a natural alternative to modern candles, which can be expensive and release harmful chemicals. However, lard candles can have a porky aroma, which can be masked by adding essential oils.
Choosing Essential Oils
Essential oils can be added to lard candles to create custom, all-natural scents. They are a safe and aromatic way to craft your perfect candle, allowing you to control what goes into your candles. Essential oils are non-toxic and provide a natural, toxin-free fragrance.
When choosing essential oils, it is important to consider how they interact with candle wax. Essential oils have low flash points, which means they evaporate at high temperatures, limiting their aroma strength. Soy wax flakes are a good option for beginners as they are easy to use and produce a clean, even burn with minimal soot. Beeswax is another natural alternative, which burns cleanly and has a subtle honey-like aroma, but it is not vegan.
When making lard candles, essential oils can be added after the lard has been heated and allowed to cool slightly. The essential oils should then be stirred in before the lard is poured into the candle holder.
It is important to note that essential oils will lose their medicinal benefits once heated, so they are added primarily for their smell. It also takes quite a bit of essential oil to be able to smell it in the finished candle, and the scent may be difficult to detect if the lard has a strong aroma.
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The benefits of lard candles over other types
Lard candles are an inexpensive, natural alternative to modern candles, which can be expensive and release harmful chemicals into the air. They are made from animal fats, such as beef tallow or leaf lard, and have been used as a source of light for thousands of years.
One of the main benefits of lard candles is that they are biodegradable, non-toxic, and do not release pollutants when burned, making them a healthier option for indoor use. They also have a long burn time and can be easily made at home, which is especially useful in emergency situations, such as power outages.
Lard candles can be crafted from pasture-raised pigs, which promotes sustainable farming practices and animal welfare. The rendered fat from these pigs imparts a delicate, natural scent that creates a warm and comforting ambiance. Additionally, pasture-raised lard has a favourable fat profile, containing monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, as well as vitamins E, D, and A, and trace minerals.
Lard candles can also be customised with essential oils to create a variety of fragrances, such as lavender, mint, lemongrass, or tea tree. This not only masks any potential porky aroma but also adds a calming effect to the candle's atmosphere.
Overall, lard candles offer a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and versatile option for those seeking a natural light source with potential health and wellness benefits.
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The history of lard candles
Lard candles, also known as tallow candles, have been used for centuries as a cheap and readily available source of light. Made from rendered animal fat, they were a common household item before the widespread use of electricity. In the past, lard candles were often used in emergencies, such as power outages, and were a staple in many homes. Today, they are still valued for their long-burning qualities and natural ingredients.
Lard candles are easy to make and can be created with a variety of fats, including beef tallow, pork lard, and even butter. They are often praised for their lack of harsh smells and are sometimes infused with essential oils to add a pleasant aroma. One of the benefits of lard candles is that they can be made from ingredients that are readily available and often thrown away, making them a sustainable and cost-effective option.
Today, lard candles are still available for purchase, with many small businesses and artisans offering their unique takes on this traditional product. They are often marketed as natural, organic, and non-GMO, appealing to those seeking sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to modern candles.
Lard candles have come a long way from their humble beginnings as emergency lighting sources to becoming a beloved choice for those seeking a natural and inexpensive option for their homes. Their history is a testament to human ingenuity and our ability to create something useful and long-lasting from simple, readily available ingredients.
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How to make lard candles
Lard candles are inexpensive, long-lasting, and natural alternatives to modern candles, which can be pricey and release harmful chemicals. They are also a great way to ensure that pork fat is not discarded.
Step 1: Prepare your jars
Attach the wick to the bottom of the jar with a two-sided sticky dot. Use a wick holder to centre the wick in the middle of the jar. You can also make a "makeshift" wick holder by placing two pencils on top of the jar on either side of the wick and taping the pencils together to hold the wick tight.
Step 2: Melt the lard and beeswax
Combine lard and beeswax in a saucepan and heat until just melted. Mix well. The addition of beeswax helps to firm up the lard, which is softer at room temperature.
Step 3: Add essential oils
Transfer the lard and beeswax mixture to a candle-making pot with a narrow spout for easy pouring. Add essential oils to the mixture and mix well. Essential oils help to mask any porky smell that might be present, especially when using back fat. You can use any essential oils you like, such as lavender, lemongrass, bergamot, peppermint, or spice scents.
Step 4: Pour and set
Pour the mixture into the prepared jars, filling them to the desired height. Set the candles aside to harden for at least 24 hours. Trim the wicks to the desired length.
Tips:
- You can also use leftover candle wax by adding it to the lard.
- If you don't have access to lard, you can use vegetable lard or butter, though the aroma of butter might be overpowering.
- You can purchase lard from a butcher, Walmart, or farms that sell pork fat.
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Frequently asked questions
Lard candles made from leaf fat are nearly odourless. However, those made from back fat have a slight porky smell. This can be masked by adding essential oils.
Lard candles made from leaf fat are odourless, while those made from back fat have a slight porky smell.
Essential oils like lavender, lemongrass, bergamot, peppermint, citrus, cinnamon, ginger, clove, cedarwood, and sandalwood, and tea tree oil can be added to lard candles.
Yes, lard candles are safe and non-toxic. They do not release harmful chemicals or pollutants into the air when burned, unlike candles made with soy or paraffin wax.
