Ben Carter
Tallow candles are made from animal fat and have been used as a source of light for thousands of years. They are inexpensive, clean-burning, and long-lasting, and they provide a warm, steady glow. The process of making tallow candles involves rendering animal fat, melting the tallow, adding essential oils for fragrance, and then pouring the mixture into containers or moulds with wicks. While tallow candles may require some trial and error to perfect, they are a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to modern candles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy to make |
| Cost | Cost-effective |
| Burn | Long burn |
| Ingredients | Tallow, beeswax, essential oils |
| Tallow Sources | Beef, deer, sheep, goat |
| Tallow Preparation | Render fat, melt in a double boiler |
| Wick Preparation | Soak in oil, dip in tallow, dip in water, repeat |
| Mould Preparation | Warm to prevent cracking, place wick, pour in tallow |
| Storage | Cool, dry place |
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What You'll Learn
Sources of tallow
Tallow is a rendered form of beef or mutton suet, primarily made up of triglycerides. In industry, tallow is not strictly defined as beef or mutton suet, but rather as animal fat that conforms to certain technical criteria, including its melting point. Commercial tallow commonly contains fat derived from other animals, such as lard from pigs, or even from plant sources.
The predominant source of tallow comes from cattle and is a by-product of the meat industry. At slaughterhouses, the carcasses are first stripped of their hides for the leather industry, while hooves and horns are removed for the glue. Excess fat on the exterior of the carcass is removed, and once all the meat has been removed, the internal fats remain. The hard white fats around the heart and kidneys are separated out and after rendering separately become edible tallow or dripping. All countries with a sheep or cattle population will have a rendering industry of some kind, with the end products entering local markets or being exported.
Tallow can also be sourced from deer, as some people opt to make tallow candles with venison tallow.
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Melting the tallow
To melt the tallow, you will need a double boiler or a heat-safe bowl over a pot of simmering water. Place the tallow in your chosen setup and heat over medium-low heat until it is completely melted. This method helps to preserve the antioxidants in the tallow. If you are using beeswax in addition to tallow, as many candle-makers do, it fully melts at 180 degrees Fahrenheit, so be sure to monitor the temperature to avoid overheating.
Once the tallow is melted, turn off the heat and let it cool slightly. If you are using fragrance oils, this is the time to add them. For each 8-ounce jar, about 40-50 drops of essential oil with a high flash point, such as cedarwood or cinnamon, are needed. You can also add old candle pieces for colour.
Before pouring the melted tallow into your containers, slightly warm your jars to prevent them from cracking or shattering. You can do this by placing them in a low-temperature oven, filling them with warm water, or running them through the dishwasher, ensuring they are completely dry afterward.
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Adding scents
Choosing the Right Fragrance
It is important to choose a fragrance that is safe and suitable for candles. While essential oils are an option, they may not provide a strong scent throw and can be expensive due to the large quantity needed. Fragrance oils formulated specifically for candles are a better option and are available from candle supply companies. Alternatively, you can use whole food ingredients to create natural fragrances.
Preparing the Tallow
Before adding any fragrances, melt the tallow gently in a double boiler. This helps preserve its delicate antioxidants and makes it easier to mix in the fragrance. Once melted, turn off the heat and let the tallow cool slightly before adding the fragrance.
Adding Fragrance Oils
If using fragrance oils, measure the weight of your tallow to determine the amount of oil needed. A safe starting point is to use 5% of the weight of the tallow. For example, if you have 8 ounces of tallow, you would use 0.4 ounces of fragrance oil. Add the fragrance oil to the melted tallow and stir gently to combine.
Adding Essential Oils
If using essential oils, choose those with a high flash point, such as cedarwood, cinnamon, fir, sandalwood, geranium, patchouli, or myrrh. For an 8-ounce jar, use 40-50 drops of essential oil, adjusting the amount depending on the intensity of the oil. Add the essential oil to the cooling tallow and stir gently to combine.
Adding Whole Food Ingredients
If you prefer to use whole food ingredients, try adding warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, or vanilla. You can also add citrus zest or fresh or dried herbs and plants like rosemary, mint, eucalyptus, lavender, rose, or pine needles. Infuse these ingredients into the melted tallow, then strain the mixture before pouring it into your candle containers.
Tips for a Stronger Scent
To make the scent of your tallow candles stronger, you can experiment with different types of wicks, as the wick can impact the scent throw. Additionally, try adding your fragrance at different temperatures to see if that makes a difference. If you're still not getting a strong enough scent, you can consider adding additives like Vybar, polysorbate 80, or stearic acid.
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Preparing the wick
Firstly, cut a piece of wick long enough to fit your jar or mould with some excess. Fold the wick in half to find the centre, then place both ends into the melted tallow. Allow the wick to sit for around 15 minutes so that the oils soak into the wick, which will help it burn slower. Remove the wick from the tallow and lay it straight on a piece of parchment paper. Let it cool until it solidifies, which should take around 5-10 minutes.
Next, you can begin the process of dipping the wick into the melted tallow. Have two jars of ice-cold water ready for quick cooling between dips. Dip the wick into the tallow, then into the water, and repeat this process. Continue dipping until the candle begins to grow and take shape. This may take some time and patience, but it is important to keep going until you have achieved the desired thickness.
To weigh the wicks down and keep them straight, you can try a few methods. One approach is to tie washers to the bottom of the wicks, which can be snipped off once the candle is complete. Alternatively, you can use two pencils placed over the top of the jar to hold the wick in place. Another creative solution is to use clothes pins to secure the wick and keep it centred while the candle solidifies.
Finally, once your tallow candles have been made, remember to trim the wick to 1/4" before each burn to ensure a clean and long-lasting candle.
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Shaping the candle
Now, you can begin dipping the wick into the hot tallow, then into cold water. Repeat this process many times. The number of dips required will depend on the desired thickness of the candle. After several dips, the candle will begin to grow in size.
If you want to use a candle mould, you can pour the melted tallow into the mould and allow it to cool. Ensure that the wick remains centred as the candle cools and hardens. You can use clothespins or wick holders to keep the wick in place.
Another method is to pour the melted tallow into a jar. Warm the jar first to prevent cracking, then add the wick and secure it in place with pencils or clothespins.
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Frequently asked questions
Tallow is rendered animal fat, traditionally from beef. Tallow candles can also be made from sheep, goat, deer, or venison fat.
Tallow can be rendered at home or purchased from a local butcher. To make candles, melt the tallow in a double boiler or heat-safe bowl over a pot of simmering water. Allow the tallow to cool slightly, then pour it into moulds or jars with wicks. Tallow candles can also be made by dipping strings or wicks into the melted tallow, then into cold water, and repeating this process.
Tallow candles are long-lasting and do not go rancid.
Yes, essential oils can be added to tallow candles while the mixture is cooling to enhance their scent. Oils with a high flash point, such as cedarwood, cinnamon, fir, sandalwood, geranium, patchouli, or myrrh, are recommended.
