:QUOTE [quotetype:personal] Tallow candles lit most of the interiors in history. They still work better than many modern alternatives. :INFO Why Tallow Candles Tallow (rendered animal fat) burns cleanly, has a high melting point (113 to 122°F), and produces a bright, steady flame. The main limitation — a faint barnyard scent when burning — is largely eliminated by using well-rendered tallow and adding a small amount of beeswax. Tallow from grass-fed beef or mutton (suet, the hard fat from around the kidneys) produces the cleanest burning and least odorous candles. It is also entirely free — often given away by butchers. :COUNTER.half 10 to 20 Percent Beeswax | :COUNTER.half 2 Renders :PATH Source and Render the Fat Cut beef or mutton suet into small pieces and render over low heat. | :INFO Source and Render the Fat Ask a butcher for beef suet (kidney fat) — often free or very inexpensive. Cut into 1-inch pieces, removing blood vessels and connective tissue. Place in a heavy pot with 1/4 cup of water over the lowest possible heat. The fat slowly melts (renders) and the water prevents scorching. Stir occasionally. After 45 to 60 minutes the solid tissue remnants (cracklings) will float. Strain through cheesecloth into a clean container. Re-render once more for cleaner tallow. :PATH Add Beeswax and Fragrance Melt 10 to 20 percent beeswax into the finished tallow. | :INFO Add Beeswax and Fragrance Melt the rendered tallow. Stir in 10 to 20% beeswax by weight — this hardens the candle and significantly reduces the animal odor. For scented candles, add 5 to 10% essential oil (pine, cedar, or frankincense work well) once the tallow and beeswax blend has cooled to 150°F. Avoid floral or fruit essential oils — they clash with the tallow base. :PATH Pour or Dip Pour into molds with pre-waxed wicks, or dip wicks repeatedly. | :INFO Pour or Dip For molded candles: thread a pre-waxed cotton wick through a metal or silicone mold, pour at 150°F, and allow to cool for 2 to 4 hours. For dipped candles (the traditional method): hold the wick and dip into tallow at 140 to 150°F, allow to cool 30 seconds, and repeat 15 to 20 times to build up diameter. Hang to cool completely between batches of dips. :CHECKLIST What You Need [ ] 2 to 3 pounds beef or mutton suet (kidney fat preferred) [ ] 10 to 20% beeswax by weight [ ] Cotton wick — #2 or #3 braided cotton [ ] Heavy pot for rendering [ ] Cheesecloth for straining [ ] Candle molds or a dipping stand :NOTE Tallow Candles Need Trimming Tallow burns with a larger flame than modern paraffin candles. Trim the wick to 1/4 inch before each use — an untrimmed wick smokes and produces soot. Keep candles away from drafts that cause the flame to sputter and consume the tallow unevenly. :QUOTE [quotetype:personal] The technology of a flame and a wick has not improved since the 16th century. It has only become more expensive. :LINK https://www.instructables.com/Traditional-Tallow-Candles/ Instructables — Traditional Tallow Candle Making Guide