How to Make Tallow Candles

For centuries, even the fatty leftover bits of butchered meats have proven to be useful, in the form of rendered tallow. Tallow is rendered animal fat used to make a number of practical household products, like soap and candles. Use only the cleanest, purest tallow possible when making candles, as the impurities can cause unfortunate results when burned indoors.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• --clean and pure melted tallow
• --cotton candle wicks
• --candle mold (optional)
• --container to hold melted tallow
• --frame or rack to hang wicks to cool

How to Make Tallow Candles

1. Prepare the tallow for candle-making by heating it until melted on an indoor range or outdoor fire. The tallow need not boil; it simply must be liquified to a point where it is easy to work with.

2. Dip cotton candle wicks into melted tallow, allowing them to soak up as much tallow as possible. Then carefully draw wicks out of tallow and hang on frame or rack to cool.

3. Once that first layer of tallow on the wick is cool and solid, repeat the dipping/cooling process until candle reaches desired thickness.

4. Another way to make tallow candles involves the use of candle molds. This process is more challenging, as it is difficult to make candles of a consistent form, but it is quicker than the dipping process. Take the time to dip the wicks repeatedly if candles of a uniform nature are desired.

5. After dipping the cotton wicks in the tallow the first time and allowing the wicks to cool and stiffen, place them carefully into the center of the molds and pour necessary amount of melted tallow into the mold. Allow to cool.

Tips & Warnings

• Though the dipping process takes more time, the results are typically more pleasing as it takes experience and practice to use the molds successfully. If the wicks are placed in the molds even slightly crookedly, the candles will not emerge from the mold straight.
• Always light candles in open space and do not leave a candle burning indoors unattended.

[tavj2]

on 11/4/2008 You say to only use clean/pure tallow, but how do you make it from the fats available?