Maddie James
Tallow candles are made from animal fat, typically from cattle or sheep, and have been used since ancient times. They are easy and inexpensive to make and provide a natural, non-toxic, and eco-friendly alternative to modern candles. The process of making tallow candles involves melting the tallow or wax in a double boiler, preparing jars with wicks, and then pouring the melted tallow into the jars or moulds. The candles are then allowed to cool and harden before being trimmed and lit. Tallow candles have held cultural significance in various societies and continue to be used today, especially in emergency or power outage situations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Tallow (rendered animal fat, typically from cattle or sheep), cotton wicks, heatproof containers (glass jars, metal tins, or seashells), essential oils or herbs (optional) |
| Time | Rendering tallow can take a long time (up to 36 hours mentioned in one source), while the setting process can also be time-consuming |
| Process | Melt tallow in a double-boiler, prepare jars by centering the wick, pour melted tallow into jars or moulds, allow to cool and solidify, trim the wick to 1/4 inch |
| Benefits | Inexpensive, supports local farms, toxin-free, biodegradable, eco-friendly, non-toxic, free from synthetic additives, long-lasting |
| Tips | Use canning jars to prevent shattering, trim wick to 1/4 inch for proper burning, let the candle burn for at least an hour at a time to prevent tunneling |
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What You'll Learn
Sourcing tallow
Tallow is made from animal fat, typically from cattle or sheep. In the past, it was widely used for making candles, soaps, skin products, and even as fuel for deep frying. Today, it is still used in various industries, including aviation biofuels, printmaking, and lubrication.
When sourcing tallow for candle-making, there are a few options to consider:
Local Farms
One option is to source tallow directly from a local farm, where you can often find raw beef fat or suet. This allows you to utilise every bit of the animal and reduce waste. It is important to ensure that the tallow is organic and grass-finished, providing a pure product suitable for candle-making and other purposes like cooking.
Hunting
If you prefer to source your own tallow, hunting can be an option. For example, you can save the fat from a harvested deer and render it into tallow for candle-making. This method ensures you have complete control over the quality and sourcing of the tallow.
Online Purchase
Another option is to purchase tallow online from specialty stores or farmers' markets. Lineage Provisions, for instance, offers 100% grass-fed tallow sourced from regenerative farms that honour the animal and the land. They utilise a unique nose-to-tail approach, ensuring no part of the animal goes to waste.
Rendering Your Own Tallow
If you have access to beef fat trimmings, you can render your own tallow at home. This process involves slowly heating the fat in a large stockpot over low temperatures to avoid browning the tallow. Fine mesh strainers and cheesecloth are used to remove impurities, resulting in a smooth, white tallow once cooled.
Regardless of the sourcing method, ensuring the quality and purity of the tallow is essential for creating long-lasting, functional, and aesthetically pleasing candles.
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Preparing the wick
If you're using a jar, you can use a hot glue gun to glue the wick to the bottom of the jar, or use a Sticky Dot or another type of glue. To keep the wick centred, you can use two pencils placed over the top of the jar to hold it in place. Another method is to punch a hole in the middle of a canning jar lid with an ice pick, feed the wick through, and use this for each batch of candles.
For a tin candle mould, drop a length of cotton string into each tube, ensuring the wicks are centred. Knot the bottom of the mould and tie off at the top with a stick. If you're hand-dipping your candles, tie two wicks to a stick and dip them into the melted tallow, letting them harden between dips.
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Melting the tallow
To melt the tallow, you'll need a heat source and a suitable container. A stovetop or oven can be used as a heat source, and a double boiler or a DIY alternative is ideal for melting the tallow. A double boiler helps distribute heat evenly and prevents overheating, which is important when melting tallow. If you don't have a double boiler, you can create your own by placing a can or heat-resistant container inside a pot of water. This DIY method ensures even heating and eliminates the need for tedious cleanup.
When melting tallow, it's important to use the right type of container. Glass jars, metal tins, or even seashells can be used, but it's crucial to ensure they are heat-resistant to avoid shattering. Canning jars are a popular choice due to their ability to withstand high temperatures. Before melting the tallow, prepare your containers by warming them gently in the oven, filling them with warm water, or running them through the dishwasher. Ensure they are completely dry before proceeding.
The amount of tallow you need will depend on the number of candles you plan to make and the size of your containers. Fill your chosen container with tallow chunks or raw beef fat, also known as suet. Place the container inside the pot of water on the stovetop and bring it to a boil. Maintain the heat until the water evaporates and the fat renders, transforming into a liquid state. This process may take several hours, and it's important to be patient to ensure complete melting.
Once the tallow has melted, remove it from the heat source and let it cool slightly. This cooling period is an ideal time to add essential oils or herbs if you want scented candles. Ensure that you use essential oils with a high flash point, such as cedarwood, cinnamon, or sandalwood. Adding 40-50 drops per 8 oz jar should be sufficient, but adjust the amount based on your preferred intensity. Keep in mind that some people opt to add beeswax to stabilise the aroma and improve burning characteristics.
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Pouring the tallow
When pouring tallow to make candle sticks, there are a few key steps and techniques to follow for the best results. Firstly, prepare your workspace by laying out all the necessary materials and ensuring you have a clean and level surface to work on. You will need your melted tallow, candle molds, a heat-safe container for pouring, and a steady heat source to keep the tallow molten.
The tallow should be melted slowly and gently; a double boiler is ideal for this, as it provides indirect heat and prevents overheating. Take your time with this step to avoid scorching the fat. Stir the melting tallow occasionally to ensure even melting. Once the tallow is completely liquid, remove it from the heat source.
Now you're ready to begin pouring your candles. Carefully pour the molten tallow into your chosen molds, taking care not to spill. Leave a small gap at the top of each mold, as the tallow will contract slightly as it cools. This process is similar to making wax candles, but the higher melting point of tallow means you need to work more quickly once it's melted. You don't want the tallow to start solidifying before you've finished pouring.
If you're adding any additional ingredients to your candles, such as essential oils or colorants, now is the time to do so. Add these slowly and stir well to ensure they're fully incorporated. Always use ingredients suitable for candle-making, as some essential oils may be flammable. Stirring the tallow too much can cause air bubbles, so be gentle and only stir until your additives are combined.
Finally, allow your candles to cool and harden. This may take several hours, and it's important to leave them undisturbed during this time. Once solid, you can remove the candles from their molds and enjoy your homemade, traditional tallow candle sticks!
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Removing from moulds
Removing tallow candles from moulds can be a delicate process. Before removing the candles, they must be allowed to cool and solidify at room temperature, which can take several hours or even overnight. Once the candles have hardened, the removal process can begin.
Firstly, cut the knots off the bottom of the moulds, being careful not to cut into the moulds themselves. Then, remove the tallow from the reservoir and use the sticks as handles to gently pull the candles out. Cut the sticks off the candles, and if there is a knot exposed at the tip of the candle, trim this off as well. Your tallow candles are now ready to be burned.
To ensure the candles are easy to remove from the moulds, there are a few preparation steps to take. Firstly, apply a thin layer of oil or non-stick spray to the moulds to ensure the candles can be released easily. Securely attach the wick to the base of the mould, positioning it vertically with a wick holder or clip. When pouring the melted tallow into the moulds, fill them to the desired level, leaving enough space at the top to accommodate any shrinkage that may occur during the cooling process.
Tallow candles have been made for centuries and are a great option for emergencies or everyday use. They are inexpensive, non-toxic, and eco-friendly, and can be made with just a couple of simple ingredients.
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Frequently asked questions
Tallow candles are made from rendered animal fat, typically from cattle or sheep.
You will need a heat source, a double boiler, a mould or container, a wick, and tallow or wax.
First, melt your tallow or wax in a double boiler. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Prepare your moulds or containers and secure the wick. Pour the melted tallow into your moulds or containers, filling them to the desired level. Leave to cool and solidify at room temperature. Remove from the moulds and trim the wick.
Tallow candles burn at a gentle, steady pace, giving hours of warm, flickering light. The exact duration will depend on the type of fat used to make the tallow.
