Tyler Brooks
Deer fat can be rendered and transformed into candles. The process of rendering deer fat into tallow candles is easy and inexpensive. It involves melting the fat and removing impurities, which can be done through dry or wet rendering. The tallow is then poured into containers with wicks, where it cools and hardens. Deer tallow is considered superior to beef tallow due to its higher fat saturation, resulting in better hardening. These candles can be safely stored for over a year and are suitable for emergency lighting. They can also be customised with essential oils to add a desired scent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of fat | Deer fat, beef fat, elk fat, moose fat, bear fat, or any other animal fat |
| Fat source | Butcher, hunter, or livestock owner |
| Fat selection | Densest fat, such as fat along the back, leaf fat, or suet around the kidneys |
| Fat preparation | Trim off tissue, skin, and other non-fat material; partially freeze the fat to ease the process |
| Rendering method | Dry rendering (without water) or wet rendering (with water) |
| Rendering equipment | Crockpot, stockpot, skillet, or Dutch oven |
| Rendering temperature | Low to medium-low heat |
| Candle-making supplies | Containers, wicks, twist ties, pan for heating tallow, parchment paper, and tealight cups |
| Wick type | Cotton core wicks, preferably cotton wicks |
| Wick size | 6-inch or 8-inch wicks, cut about an inch taller than the desired candle holder |
| Tallow preparation | Heat tallow in a pan or jar until completely melted |
| Tallow filtration | Filter the melted tallow to reduce sediment and impurities |
| Scent addition | Essential oils added after the tallow is melted |
| Pouring | Pour the tallow into containers with wicks, ensuring the wicks are centered |
| Cooling | Allow the tallow to cool and harden for a minimum of 2 hours |
| Storage | Store in containers like Mason jars to prevent contamination; can be stored for over a year |
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What You'll Learn
Rendering deer fat into tallow
Once you have the fat, you need to render it into tallow. You can choose to dry or wet render the fat. For dry rendering, place the fat in a crockpot, stockpot, or skillet and heat it slowly over low to medium-low heat without adding water. This ensures that no water remains in the finished product, reducing the risk of premature rancidity. However, dry rendering requires careful temperature control and frequent stirring to prevent burning. For wet rendering, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water to the pan with the fat, which helps prevent burning and allows for less stirring. Regardless of the method, render the fat until it melts and impurities are removed, creating tallow.
After rendering, you can use the tallow to make candles. Prepare your containers by adding a cotton wick to the center, securing it with twist ties to keep it in place. Heat the tallow in a pan until it's completely melted, then pour it into the containers with wicks. Allow the tallow to cool and harden, and your deer tallow candles are ready!
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Choosing the right wick
Firstly, you'll want to choose a wick that is made from natural fibres, such as cotton or hemp, rather than a zinc core wick. Cotton wicks are widely available and suitable for deer tallow candles. You can also find hemp wicks coated in beeswax, which are a more traditional option.
The length and thickness of the wick will depend on the size of your candle container. For example, if you are making tea lights, you will need shorter wicks, while a larger candle may require a thicker wick. As a general guide, an 8-inch wick is suitable for larger candles, while a 6-inch wick can be used for smaller containers. However, it is important to ensure that the wick is not too thick or too thin for your candle, as this will affect the burn rate. If the wick is too small, the candle may tunnel, burning down the middle without melting the sides. Conversely, if the wick is too large, the candle may burn too quickly or produce smoke.
You can purchase pre-measured wicks, which have a bottom tab that serves as an end piece, or you can cut and trim your own wicks to size. To secure the wick in the centre of the candle, use two twist ties per candle, spanning the jar opening. This will ensure the wick stays centred as you pour in the melted deer fat.
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Preparing containers
Once you've selected your containers, it's time to prepare the wicks. Cotton wicks are recommended for natural waxes like tallow. You can purchase wicks of the appropriate size, typically ranging from 6 to 8 inches in length. If you opt for premeasured wicks, they usually come with a bottom tab that serves as an end piece. If not, you can create your own by using twist ties. You'll need two twist ties per candle, which will help keep the wick centred in the container.
Place the wick in the centre of the container, using the twist ties to secure it in place. Ensure the twist ties span the opening of the jar or container so that the wick remains properly centred. If you're using a narrow container, one wick is usually sufficient. However, for wide and shallow containers, you may need multiple wicks to prevent "pitting," where the candle burns only in the centre, causing the tallow around the edges to collapse.
At this point, your containers are ready to be filled with the melted deer tallow. You can add essential oils or fragrances to the tallow just before pouring it into the containers if you wish to scent your candles.
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Melting the tallow
To dry render the fat, cut the fat into pieces and place them in a crockpot, stockpot, or skillet. Heat the fat slowly over low to medium-low heat without adding water. Dry rendering eliminates the risk of water remaining in the finished product, which could cause premature rancidity. However, it requires careful temperature control and frequent stirring to prevent burning.
On the other hand, wet rendering involves adding 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water to the pan with the fat. The water helps to avoid burning and reduces the need for frequent stirring. As long as the fat is fully rendered, the water will evaporate, and there will be no issues with rancidity.
Before melting the fat, it is recommended to partially freeze it first to make it easier to trim off any remaining tissue, skin, or non-fat material. Select the densest fat possible, such as the fat along the back or the leaf fat around the kidneys.
Once the fat is rendered, you can melt it to prepare for candle-making. Place the jar of tallow in a pot filled with water, ensuring the water level is about 2 inches below the top of the jar. Turn the heat to medium and put on the lid. Allow the tallow to heat up until it is fully melted, which can take around an hour.
While the tallow is melting, prepare your candle-making supplies. Cover a solid cutting board with parchment paper and lay out your tealight cups or other containers. Prepare the wicks by cutting them about an inch taller than your desired candle holder. You can use cotton wicks or cotton core wicks, which are preferable for natural waxes like tallow. Straighten the wicks and place them in the cups or containers, ensuring they are centred using twist ties or by wrapping the wick around a pencil.
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Adding scents
Deer fat can be used to make candles, and you can add scents to these candles. To add scents, you can use essential oils. It is recommended to add the essential oils after the deer fat has melted and before pouring the liquid into the mould. You can add about 10 drops of essential oil to the bottom of the candle jar before pouring in the deer fat.
There are many essential oils to choose from, and you can select your favourite scents. Some popular options include lavender, lemongrass, bergamot, peppermint, citrus, cinnamon, ginger, clove, cedarwood, and sandalwood.
If you are using lard from pigs, you can also add essential oils to lightly scent the candles and counteract any porky smell.
The process of rendering deer fat for candles can be a bit messy, but it is easy, and you will end up with several container candles that look great and can be used or gifted.
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Frequently asked questions
You can obtain deer fat by butchering your own animal or asking a butcher to set aside the fat for you.
Rendering deer fat involves melting the fat and removing impurities. You can choose to dry or wet render the fat. To dry render, cut the fat into pieces and slowly heat them in a crockpot, stockpot, or skillet over low to medium-low heat without adding water. To wet render, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water to the pan with the fat to prevent burning.
You will need a heat source, such as a stove, oven, or crockpot, a large pot or pan, cotton wicks, twist ties, containers for the candles, and any essential oils or decorations for scent and customization.
