Industrial Uses For Tallow

Tallow is rendered fat from farm animals.

Tallow refers in general to rendered animal fat, usually from cows, pigs or sheep. Tallow from pigs is usually called lard. For centuries, people have used tallow to make soaps and candles, and it was also used in cooking. Today it has many different industrial uses. Companies have notably begun using tallow to manufacture biodiesel fuel--a renewable, clean-burning energy source.

Candles

Tallow is an inexpensive alternative to paraffin for candlemakers, and has been used for this purpose for centuries. Candles made of tallow are produced in molds or as dip candles. Tallow candles are not only inexpensive, but also simple to make.

Soap

Tallow is used make commercial soap bars. It is typically listed in the ingredients as sodium tallowate, which is a byproduct made from combining tallow and lye. It is a good alternative to oil for many soap makers because it makes a firm bar and yields thick lather.

Cooking

Tallow makes for an effective cooking oil. When used in kitchens, it is most often referred to as lard. Before vegetable oil became widely available, most homes and restaurants used tallow for cooking. It is valued for its high smoking point of 420 degrees Fahrenheit. It does not require refrigeration as long as it's stored inside an airtight container. Because of its high calorie content, however, many people today opt to buy vegetable oils instead.

Biodiesel

Following concerns over the harmful environmental impact of oil, industries have been starting to look toward manufacturing alternative energy sources. Biodiesel is a renewable energy source that can be made from tallow. Energy companies utilize transesterification, which is the process that converts tallow to biodiesel. The procedure is somewhat costly and time consuming, however.

References

• PDM Group: Tallow and Animal Fat Uses
• Beef Tallow: How to Make Homemade Beef Tallow Candles in 4 Simple Steps
• Soap Making Resource: Tallow Soap Making
• Beef Tallow: The Oiling of America: Beef Tallow vs. Vegetable Oil for Cooking
• Biodiesel B20: Tallow Encyclopedia
• Beef Tallow: Biodiesel with Beef Tallow: A Glimpse of Pros, Cons, and Limitations