How to Make Tallow Candles

Tallow candles are a lovely natural option for your home. Use these anytime to enjoy the cozy ambiance of candlelight or keep them stocked in case of emergency. Either way, who doesn't love candles in their space?

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Yield pint tallow candle or multiple small candles

Equipment

Scissors
Pencils.
Jars/containers 1 pint glass jar or multiple smaller jars
Double boiler.
Butterknife or spoon.
Potholder OR oven mitt.

Ingredients

2 cups rendered and filtered beef tallow
Cotton wick

Instructions

Fill the bottom pot of your double boiler with 1-2 inches of water. Bring to a boil.
In the top pot, add your beef tallow.
Melt down the beef tallow, stirring occasionally.
As your tallow melts down, prepare your wicks in the center of your container(s.) Use your pencils to hold the wick centered.
Very carefully pour your melted tallow into the container(s.) Reposition the wick if necessary.
Allow your candle(s) to set overnight.
Trim your wicks and enjoy the ambiance of these lovely candles!

Notes

Don't over trim your wick! You don't want it all the way down to the tallow. Leave a bit of length but not so much that it is curling over or sticking up like crazy.

When using your candle: if tunneling occurs, burn your candle until it evens out next time or even melt a bit more tallow to fill it in and start again!

Two tips for preventing frosting: (1.) Test different pour temperatures. (2.) Let them cool on a wire rack so the bottom isn't retaining all the heat as it cools down.

Allow your candles to cool naturally, don't put them in the fridge or in a cold room!

If the top of your candle ends up with a crack in it you can use a heat gun to gently melt the top layer and let it set again.

Be careful when working with hot tallow! I use a potholder when pouring my candles as the double boiler is very hot. Be careful not to get melted tallow on your skin as it will burn you.

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