Tyler Brooks
Candles were a necessity in the 1800s, and pioneer women in America had to make them at home. The process was messy, laborious, and time-consuming. The candles were made from tallow, or animal fat, and the wick was usually made from cotton or linen. The wick would be repeatedly dipped into the melted tallow, with time to cool and harden between dips. Beeswax was also used to make candles, but it was expensive and not easily available, so only the wealthy could afford it. Pioneer women also discovered that they could make wax from boiling bayberries or wax myrtle, but it was a lengthy process and the resulting candles were soft. With the growth of the whaling industry, spermaceti, an oil from the sperm whale's head, became a popular alternative to tallow, as it burned brighter and did not produce a foul odour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time period | 1800s |
| Location | Colonial America |
| Raw materials | Tallow, animal fat, beeswax, bayberries, paraffin wax, whale oil, coconut oil, palm oil, spermaceti, colza oil, stearin |
| Process | Dipping wick in molten wax or tallow, shaping by hand, pouring wax or tallow over wick |
| Tools | Broach, candle rods, kettle |
| Producers | Housewives, chandlers |
| Quantity | 400 candles per household per year |
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What You'll Learn
The use of wicks
In colonial times, candle wicks were typically made from twisted cotton or linen fibres. These wicks were hand-dipped repeatedly into melted tallow or animal fat and allowed to dry, creating taper candles. However, twisted wicks tend to burn faster due to their loose construction, which allows more fuel to reach the flame quickly. This construction also required constant trimming, up to 40 times per night, to prevent the wick from burning out of control.
To improve the burning quality of candles, flat-plaited or knitted wicks were introduced. These wicks, usually made from three bundles of fibre, burn more consistently and curl into the flame, creating a self-trimming effect. Flat wicks are commonly used in taper and pillar candles and are preferred for beeswax applications as they help inhibit wick clogging, which can occur with certain wax formulations.
Another type of wick is the square wick, which is also braided or knitted and curls into the flame. Square wicks are more rounded and robust than flat wicks, making them suitable for specific candle types. Cored wicks, on the other hand, use a core material to keep the wick straight or upright while burning. Common core materials include cotton, paper, zinc, or tin, and they are often found in jar candles, pillars, and devotional lights.
The choice of wick depends on various factors, including wax type, fragrance load, dye type, and container diameter. Experimentation is often necessary to find the correct size and style of wick for a particular candle. Additionally, test burning is recommended to ensure proper wick selection.
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Tallow and animal fat
Tallow is a rendered animal fat, typically sourced from cattle or sheep. The use of tallow in candles dates back to ancient times, with the Romans and Egyptians among the first to use tallow for candle-making. Tallow candles were created by dipping wicks into molten fat or wax, shaping by hand, or pouring the melted tallow onto a wick.
Tallow was a popular choice for candle-making due to its cheap cost and easy availability. In the Middle Ages, tallow candles became an essential part of daily life in Europe, used in homes, churches, and even for telling time with "candle clocks". However, the unpleasant smell of tallow candles, caused by the fatty acids present in the animal fat, led to their ban in several European cities.
The process of making tallow candles involves rendering animal fat by boiling it in water. The fat is ready when it turns into brown crisps that resemble bacon and gives off a strong bacon scent. The tallow is then strained to remove impurities, and additives like paraffin or beeswax may be mixed in to improve the candle's performance and shape.
Tallow candles have advantages and ethical considerations. On the one hand, they promote resourcefulness and efficiency by utilising animal fat that would otherwise be discarded, aligning with the principles of a circular economy. Additionally, tallow is a biodegradable and renewable resource. However, the use of animal-derived products raises concerns about animal welfare and the environmental impact of livestock farming.
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Beeswax
In the 19th century, with the invention of the electric lightbulb, the popularity of beeswax candles began to decline. However, in recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in natural and sustainable products, and beeswax candles have become popular once again. Today, beeswax candles are still made using traditional methods, with local beekeepers and artisans producing high-quality, natural candles.
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Spermaceti
To extract spermaceti wax from sperm oil, the oil undergoes crystallisation at 6 °C (43 °F) when treated with pressure and a chemical solution of caustic alkali. This process results in brilliant white crystals that are hard yet oily to the touch and devoid of taste or smell, making them ideal for candles. Spermaceti candles were a significant improvement over previous candles made from tallow or beeswax, as they burned cleanly, produced minimal smoke, and provided a brighter and steadier flame.
The growth of the whaling industry in the 18th century led to the widespread use of spermaceti in candle-making. Spermaceti candles were widely used in homes, churches, and public spaces throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. They were also essential in lighthouses, providing brighter light to improve visibility for ships at sea. However, with the introduction of kerosene lamps and gas lighting, as well as increasing ethical and environmental concerns surrounding whaling, the demand for spermaceti candles declined.
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Stearin
In the early 1800s, candles were a necessity for colonial and pioneer families. These candles were often made from tallow or animal fat, with sheep tallow being the most desirable due to its more pleasant odour. However, the process of candle-making evolved over time, and pioneers sought alternatives to animal-based wax.
The discovery of paraffin wax in the mid-1800s revolutionised candle-making. Paraffin candles were of higher quality, and with the advent of machines, they became widely available and affordable. Around this time, pioneers also began to experiment with plant-based alternatives, such as coconut oil and palm oil.
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Frequently asked questions
Pioneers made candles from tallow (animal fat), beeswax, whale oil, and bayberry wax.
Pioneers made candles using the dipping method. They would dip a wick made of cotton or linen into melted tallow or animal fat, allowing it to harden between dips, until the candle reached the desired size.
Candles made from tallow, especially pig tallow, had a very unpleasant smell. Candles made from beeswax or bayberry wax were fragrant and had a pleasant smell.
