Introduction
The traditional method of making candles from animal fats or tallow date as far back as the Roman civilization. They would render animal fat to separate out and purify the oil, then would shape it into lamps or burners. After this invention, candlemaking quickly became a common practice all over Europe and is documented as far back as 1254 AD in the British Isles. In addition to religious ceremonies and festive occasions, these candles were hugely important for everyday households for illuminating dark rooms that had no windows or other lighting sources available. Candles made from fat burned longer and more intensely than any other kind of candle light at the time.
In 18th century Britain, most candles were made from beeswax because its melting point was high enough to allow them to be easily molded into various shapes such as tapers and balls. But because of their higher cost relative to those made with tallow, they were mainly used by well-to-do families. On the other hand, most people could afford tallow candles due to their cheaper cost. Even so, they still provided superior lighting conditions with a lower risk of fire or smoke damage compared to any other alternative type of illumination techniques during that time period.
Advantages
Making candles from fat has considerable environmental benefits. Firstly, the production process of sourcing and manufacturing wax from fat is vastly more energy efficient than synthetic waxes that rely on petrochemicals. This in turn reduces carbon emissions significantly, as production is no longer dependent on petrol-based products. Additionally, animal fats are a renewable resource particularly well suited to areas where the climate permits grazing animals such as sheep and goats, so there’s less need to use resources imported from further afield that would create more fuel emissions during transportation.
Using animal fat for candle-making also means fewer animal by-products being discarded into landfill or left as waste. Using these fats for candle making ensures virtually nothing goes unused during the animal processing process, meaning greater sustainability in terms of trying to use every resource available. Finally, making candles from fat results in a clean burning product which does not emit any fumes or smoke at all during burning, creating far cleaner indoor air and reducing fire risks associated with candle burning.
Materials
Yes, there are several other materials that you can use in making candles from fat. These include candle wax such as beeswax, paraffin wax, tallow and soy waxes. Additionally, you will need wicks and any fragrance or essential oils that you would like to add to the candles. You may also want to include an optional molten colorant or a boiling point adhesion agent when melting the fat and wax mixture together so that they will successfully bind. Finally, you will need containers or molds of various sizes and shapes depending on the type of candle you plan to create.
Step-By-Step Guide
1. Wear protective clothing, such as safety glasses and gloves, to protect your body and hands from getting melted fat on them.
2. Place the container you’ll be melting the fat in on a heat source that is even and consistent, like a double boiler or a heating plate. Make sure to place the heat source on a stable surface free of flammable materials.
3. Test the temperature of the melted fat before dipping the wick into it. It should not be too hot, as this can cause the fabric of your candle to burn or smoke when lit. The temperature should be around 180-200 degrees Fahrenheit (82-93 degrees Celsius) if measured with an instant-read digital thermometer.
4. When working with combustible materials like fats and oils, always be aware of possible fire hazards and have a fire extinguisher on hand in case of emergency.
5. Do not leave melting candling wax unattended for extended periods of time; pour the melted wax into molds only when it has been correctly tempered or cooled to an appropriate temperature for pouring (typically between 84°C – 100°C).
6. After allowing your candle molds to cool down completely – usually overnight – remove them from the molding process very carefully and store them in airtight containers until they are ready to be used or gifted away!
Troubleshooting Tips
1. Use high-quality wax – Invest in higher quality wax such as beeswax or soy wax, as these will produce a better quality candle than using fat alone.
2. Utilize the correct wick size – Using a wick that is too large or too small can cause your candle to burn unevenly and extinguish prematurely.
3. Monitor the temperature – Excessively high temperatures can cause your candles to shrink away from their molds, while excessively low temperatures can create air bubbles within them.
4. Clean and condition the mold – Ensure that you properly clean and condition any molds that you intend to use for your candles, as this will help ensure a smooth release of the finished product when it has cooled and hardened.
5. Avoid overfilling – Overfilling your molds can lead to an unattractive finish on your candles and may even introduce an off-flavor into them if the contents bubble up during melting and burning.
6. Add scent carefully ” Adding too much scent extract can reduce candle burning performance, while also ruining its appearance due to uneven wafting of scents while burning
Different Wicks
When making candles from fat, the type of wick you choose will have an impact on both the process and the end result. The best choice of wick depends on the type of fat you are using, as well as its melting point. Generally, it’s best to use a wick either made of cotton or twisted paper that is thick enough to not break when the heat from the melted fat is applied. Another factor to consider is how wide each candle needs to be ” a wider candle requires a thicker wick for maximum sturdiness. Additionally, if your candle contains scents or color dye, be sure to buy a pre-treated wick that won’t react when heated with these additives. With all these points in mind, selecting the appropriate wick for your project should be straightforward and lead to satisfactory results.
Ideas For Color and Fragrance
One way to incorporate color and fragrance into the candle making process is through the use of essential oils. Essential oils come in a variety of colors and fragrances that can be added when melting the fat for your candles. These essential oils can differ for various projects. For example, a soft and subtle scent may be desired for a bedroom or lullaby candle, versus a more powerful scent for a kitchen or outdoor activity candle. The essential oil should be added to melted fat in small quantities until the desired scent is achieved. If you are aiming for any particular color, dye such as food coloring can also be added to the melted fat before pouring it into its mold. Color dyes come in many varieties, allowing you to get creative with the design of your candle!
Creative Ways to Display
1. Hang them from the ceiling using twine or string ” make a cluster of different sizes of your candles from the same batch and hang them from the ceiling in an artistic way.
2. Group similar sized candles together in rows on a wall shelf or mantle. This is perfect for displaying an entire set of special event candles, or ones of one theme.
3. Line up similar sized candles on a tray ” pick out two to three trays that compliment each other, then place your candle sets side by side with tall and short sides alternating..
4. Place short pillar candles inside hurricanes grouped together with river rocks around them for an interesting display.
5. Place tea lights in mason jars, scattered around corners and low surfaces – these are perfect for outdoor gatherings!
6. Suspend votive candles from tree limbs with thin wire, which creates a beautiful romantic light for outdoor weddings or birthday parties!
7. Arrange prayer candles on mantelpieces and low tables ” mix and match colors to create a visually appealing display!
Concluding Remarks
Making candles from fat is an ancient practice that has been around for centuries. From this activity, we can learn the value of resourcefulness and creativity when it comes to making do with limited resources. We can also appreciate the resourcefulness of our ancestors who were able to improvise and come up with a solution to provide light and heat during gloomy days or long winter nights when other fuel sources were scarce. Making candles from fat is also a great way to promote an eco-friendly lifestyle since it is a sustainable source of light and most types of fat used are biodegradable. Finally, experimenting with various fat recipes can help us better understand the science behind candle burning, such as the melting point, fragrances, and colors that appear in different fats.
Welcome to my candle making blog! In this blog, I will be sharing my tips and tricks for making candles. I will also be sharing some of my favorite recipes.
