Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
out to dry. Some old-time candle makers soaked the wicking in apple cider
vinegar or turpentine.
Mutton Tallow
Cut up chunks of mutton or lamb fat, put them in a large kettle, and fry them
slowly over low heat as you would for soap. Skim the fat as it rises to the top.
Stir occasionally — do not rush the process or you will burn the fat. A large
batch takes several hours to render. When the melting is pretty well complete,
strain it through a cloth.
Purifying
In a large kettle, dissolve 5 pounds of alum in 10 quarts of water by simmer-
ing. Add the tallow, stir, and simmer about an hour, skimming the fat. This
not only purifi es the tallow but also makes a slightly harder texture for use
in candles. Cool the tallow, and when you can touch it comfortably, strain it
through a cloth and set it aside to cool completely and harden. Scrape off the
impure layer on the bottom.
Purifi ed tallow can be stored in a cool place for a week or so until you are
ready to make candles. It can also be refrigerated or frozen.
Tallow burns with a less pleasant smell than wax or paraffi n. Adding a few
drops of pine oil or some other scent after the tallow is melted and before
dipping or molding the candles will perfume it.
Candle Dipping
Melt the purifi ed tallow and pour it into a widemouthed jar or container
placed in hot water to keep the tallow liquid. Next to this container, have
another one fi lled with very cold water, standing in a pan of ice to keep it cold.
Since tallow candles have a tendency to droop in hot weather, don't make
your candles too long.
Cut a wick about 6 inches (15.2 cm) longer than you want the candle to
be and tie one end of the wick to a small stick. If your containers are large
enough, you can tie on several wicks and dip these all at once.
Dip the wick fi rst into the hot tallow. Withdraw it and let it air harden for
a minute. Then dip it in the ice water, which hardens it. Let it drip thoroughly.
Keep repeating this process. To make a tapered candle, do not dip all the way
to the top each time. Since each single dip into the tallow deposits such a thin
layer on the candle, it takes a lot of dippings to create a fi nished candle.
