While its not necessary to make tallow candles in modern times, it is a good skill to learn. Its also not a very difficult thing to do but it does take quite a bit of time if you include the rendering. Today I want to just share the part about making the candles and leave rendering for a different post.
I make votive candles or container candles. You can use jars or cans for container candles. You can also use cans as candle molds. I buy the 3 ounce paper cups from the dollar store. One pack of cups has 48 in it which is a good many candles. When the candles are hardened the cups can be torn off and discarded. I leave them in the cups until I'm ready to use the candles.
I also use store bought wicks and the metal tabs that go on the bottom. You can buy precut and prewaxed wicks but I prefer to do my own. The metal tabs can be saved and reused several times.
So lets get started. Assuming you have already rendered your tallow, the first thing you will need to do is get your molds ready. You will need a small roll of wick, metal wick holders, paper cups, a push pin for making holes in the cups, scissors, and needle nosed pliers. Other supplies you will need are some chop sticks, toothpicks or scewers and a tray to place the cups on when pouring and while they are hardening plus something like cardboard to cover the candles to keep dust out while they harden.
You will need to add alum at a ratio of 1:5. That means that you need one part alum to 5 parts tallow. Or for every five pounds of tallow add one pound of alum mixture. I used only half of the total five pounds so I measured out 2.5 pounds of tallow. To that I will add half a pound of alum mixture or 4 ounces alum mixed in 4 ounces of water. Mix the 4 ounces with 4 ounces of hot water to dissolve it for a total of 8 ounces. Next melt the tallow in a double boiler. Don't let it get too hot. Keep it below 180 degrees by monitoring with a thermometer. When it is hot and melted slowly stir in the dissolved alum and continue stirring for several minutes. Remove the whole mixture from the heat and allow it to begin to cool.
Now put some of the warm tallow mixture into something with a spout for pouring like a two cup measuring cup. Then go ahead and fill your molds. You might get a few leaks but for the most part you won't. Just fill the cups all the way up. As they settle and begin to dry they may shrink a bit. You can reheat the oil and pour it on top before its completely hardened to fill in the dips.
The paper makes excellent fire starter so don't throw it away. I store my candles in the cups in the freezer to make them last longer and prevent rancidity. Of course, if you're making candles wtshtf then you probably won't have a freezer but for now its fine to use the conveniences in our life. Its also nice to learn NOW to do the things to Survive because it won't get any easier to do it afterwards during stressful times. Practice, practice, practice BEFORE your life depends on it.
Southern wood Elf