Chloe Adams
Candles have been made from animal fats for thousands of years. Beef tallow, which is fat from cattle, is a popular choice for candle-making. Tallow candles are an environmentally friendly option as they use leftovers from cattle processing that would otherwise be discarded. To make tallow candles, the tallow is heated and strained to purify it, and then essential oils can be added for fragrance. The liquid tallow is then poured into a mould with a wick, and allowed to solidify.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Candle-making material | Beef tallow |
| Other names | Cowstyle candle, tallow candle |
| Tallow sources | Local farm, venison tallow, home-raised beef |
| Tallow preparation | Rendering down the tallow, heating it into a liquid, straining any imperfections |
| Wick type | Cotton string |
| Wick preparation | Dropped into the candle mold, centered, knotted at the bottom, tied off at the top with a stick |
| Mold type | Tin |
| Mold preparation | Attach the wick, heat the mold, tear off black spots on the paper and put them on the inner wall |
| Additives | Essential oils, beeswax |
| Candle removal | Cut the knots off the bottom of the molds, remove tallow from the reservoir, use sticks as handles to pull candles out |
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What You'll Learn
Rendering beef fat into tallow
Add a couple of inches of water to the pot and boil the ground-up fat. Keep the temperature low and slow—below 275° F but above 220° F—to cook off the water that is naturally present in the fat. You'll know the water is cooked off when the bubbling stops. If the temperature is too low, the water won't cook off, and your tallow will spoil quickly.
Once the water is cooked off, continue to heat the fat until it melts. Keep the temperature low and slow to prevent browning and a "funkier" flavor. If the fat starts bubbling too much, reduce the heat and stir well. Finish rendering the fat when it covers most of the remaining pieces in the pan, which will be lightly browned and look crisp all over.
Strain the rendered fat through a sieve or strainer into a large bowl to remove any impurities. Twice straining will help prevent off flavors and spoilage. Let the tallow cool slightly, then pour it into jars for storage.
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Preparing the wick
Firstly, select the appropriate wick for your candle. Not all wicks are created equal; they burn differently, with some burning hotter and others cooler. The key is to choose a wick that is suited to the diameter of your jar or container. Using an incorrect wick can lead to an uneven burn, or worse, cause the container to burst and potentially start a fire. Therefore, it is essential to research and select the right wick for your specific candle size.
Once you have the correct wick, it's time to prepare it for the mould. Cut the wick to the appropriate length, ensuring it is centred in the mould. The wick should be slightly longer than the mould to allow for easy lighting later. Secure the wick at the centre of the mould by tying a knot at the bottom and fastening the top with a stick or clip. Ensure the wick remains centred and secure as you proceed to the next steps.
If you are using a tin candle mould, as was traditionally done, you can follow the method described by Lewis and Clark. Drop a length of cotton string into each tube, ensuring the wicks are centred. Knot the wicks at the bottom of the mould and tie them off at the top with a stick. This secures the wicks in place as you pour in the melted tallow.
For an additional decorative touch, you can create a unique design on the inner wall of the mould. Heat the mould with a dryer or a blower and attach black wax spots to the inner wall. Ensure the wax is not too hot, or it will melt the black spots. This technique adds a creative element to your candle, making it visually appealing.
Finally, once the tallow has been poured and has cooled and solidified completely, you can finish preparing the wick. Cut the knots at the bottom of the mould and remove the excess tallow. Be careful not to cut into the mould itself. Use the sticks as handles to gently lift the candle out of the mould. Trim the exposed knot at the tip of the candle, if necessary.
Your candle is now ready for use, but for optimal performance, there are a few extra tips to consider. Firstly, ensure you trim the wick to 1/4 inch before lighting to encourage a proper burn. Additionally, placing your candle in the freezer for 24 hours before use will make it burn longer.
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Melting and pouring the tallow
Preparing the Tallow
Before melting, it's important to source your tallow, which is essentially beef fat or suet. You can obtain raw beef fat or suet from local farms, but ensure it's organic and grass-finished. If you're unable to find tallow directly, you can purchase raw beef fat (suet) and render it down yourself to create tallow. Rendering involves heating the fat to convert it into a liquid form, a process that our ancestors have used for centuries.
Melting the Tallow
The melting process begins by determining the right amount of tallow for your containers. A good rule of thumb is to use one cup of tallow for each 8 oz jar. Place the tallow in a heat-safe container and apply heat until it has completely melted. If you're making multiple candles, it's important to keep an eye on the tallow, turning the heat on for a few minutes if it starts to harden.
Adding Essential Oils (Optional)
While the tallow is cooling, you can add essential oils to your candles. Choose oils with a high flash point, such as cedarwood, cinnamon, fir, sandalwood, geranium, patchouli, or myrrh. Approximately 40-50 drops are sufficient for each 8 oz jar, but you can adjust the amount based on the desired intensity.
Pouring the Tallow
Now, it's time to pour the melted tallow into your chosen containers. Ensure your jars are heat-resistant, like canning jars, to prevent them from cracking or shattering. Pour the tallow slowly and carefully to avoid spills. If you're using a mould, follow the specific instructions for that mould, including any cooling requirements before pouring.
Cooling and Finalizing
After pouring the tallow, allow it to cool and solidify completely. If you're using moulds, you might need to remove the candles from them once they're solid. Be careful when removing the candles to avoid damage. You can now trim the wicks to about 1/4 inch to ensure proper burning.
Creating candles from cows, particularly using tallow, is an environmentally friendly option that reduces waste from cattle processing. It's a simple process that allows you to make inexpensive candles while utilizing all parts of the animal.
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Adding beeswax
Candles made from cows' tallow have been used for centuries. Tallow is a simple product that can be sourced from local farms. It is also environmentally friendly, as it uses leftovers from cattle processing that would otherwise be discarded.
On the Lewis and Clark expedition, tallow candles were made with a mixture of beef tallow and beeswax. Beeswax was added to the tallow so that the candles would burn better and not smoke or sputter. The beeswax was sourced from trade ships, as the honey bee was not native to North America.
In modern times, Hilby Family Farm makes candles with approximately 75% tallow and 25% beeswax. The beeswax is added to harden the candles and give them more longevity.
- Source your beeswax: If you do not have access to honey bees, you can source beeswax from local suppliers or purchase it online.
- Prepare your tallow: Render and heat your tallow into a liquid, straining any imperfections to purify it.
- Melt the beeswax: Beeswax has a high melting point, so it is important to use a can or a heat-safe container to melt it. Do not use a regular saucepan, as it may be difficult to clean.
- Combine the tallow and beeswax: Once your tallow is in a liquid state, combine it with the melted beeswax. The amount of beeswax you add will depend on the desired hardness and longevity of your candles. A higher proportion of beeswax will result in harder, longer-lasting candles.
- Mix thoroughly: Ensure that the tallow and beeswax are completely combined and mixed well.
- Test and adjust: You can test the hardness of your mixture by pouring a small amount into a mould and allowing it to cool. If you find that your mixture is too soft, you can reheat it and add more beeswax.
- Pour and cool: Once you are happy with your mixture, carefully pour it into your desired moulds and allow it to cool and harden completely.
By following these steps, you can create candles with added beeswax that have improved burning qualities and a longer lifespan.
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Removing the candle from the mould
Removing the candle from its mould is a delicate process that requires patience and precision. Here is a step-by-step guide to ensure a successful outcome:
Firstly, it is crucial to allow the wax to cool completely before attempting to remove the candle from the mould. This step cannot be rushed, as the wax needs to harden and maintain its shape. Depending on the ambient temperature, it may take a few hours or even a full day for the wax to cool and set properly.
Once the wax has cooled, the next step is to remove any mould sealers that may have been used. Putty-type sealers, for example, can be peeled off, while magnetic mould sealers simply snap off.
Now, it's time to gently loosen the mould from the wax. Start by slowly and carefully pulling the mould apart just enough to break the contact between the mould and the wax. Take extra caution with intricate moulds or areas that feel particularly resistant. If needed, use a thin layer of mould release spray, specifically designed for silicone moulds, to aid in this process.
When the wax has been sufficiently loosened, begin carefully peeling the mould away, working gradually and paying close attention to delicate areas. If you encounter resistance, consider using a sharp blade or knife to cut a release slit around the problematic area. This technique can be especially useful for intricate details.
If the candle remains stubbornly stuck, you can try chilling the mould for a short period. Place it in the refrigerator for a few minutes or, if necessary, in the freezer for up to five minutes at a time. This will help shrink the wax and facilitate its release from the mould. Remember to be cautious, as excessive chilling can cause the wax to crack.
Finally, with the mould adequately chilled, return to gently tapping and lightly tugging on the wick to dislodge the candle. Always be mindful of your strength when pulling on the wick to avoid breakage or slippage.
By following these steps with care and patience, you should be able to successfully remove your candle from the mould, revealing the beautiful creation within.
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Frequently asked questions
Candles made from cows are called tallow candles.
Tallow is derived from animal fat. Beef tallow is made from the fat of cattle.
A good quality tallow candle will last about 5-6 hours.
Yes, tallow candles are safe to use. In fact, they are environmentally friendly as they use leftovers from cattle processing that would otherwise be discarded.
You can buy tallow candles from local farms or online.
