How were candles made in pioneer times?

Candles were essential source of light in the days before electricity. There are records of candle-making in Asia around 200 BCE. In the early 19th century, when many pioneers were settling in the American West, candles were still made by hand using simple methods and locally available materials.

Tallow Candles:

- Pioneer typically made candles from animal fat, beeswax, or both.

- Tallow was a common choice, as it was rendered from the fatty tissue of animals, particularly cows and sheep.

- The process began with preparing the tallow by melting it over a low heat until it became liquid. This could be done in a large pot or kettle.

- Once the tallow had liquified, it was strained to remove any solid impurities.

- A simple yet effective wick for the candles was made from cotton or hemp fibers. To create the wicks, lengths of fibers were twisted together into strands.

- The final step involved combining the melted tallow and wicks. The wicks were dipped into the melted tallow, coated thoroughly, and then hung to cool and solidify.

- To ensure an even and proper burn, the pioneers would often repeat the dipping process several times, building up layers of tallow around the wicks.

Beeswax Candles:

- In areas where beeswax was readily available, such as during migrations westward, pioneers would make beeswax candles.

- Beeswax is naturally harder than tallow and produces brighter, longer-burning candles.

- The process of creating beeswax candles was quite similar to that of making tallow candles. The wax was melted over low heat, strained, and wicks were prepared by twisting cotton or hemp fibers.

- The molten beeswax was then poured into candle molds made of simple materials like tin cans or carved wood. The wicks were centered within the molds, and once poured, the wax was left to cool and harden.

Dipping and Molding:

- Dipping was generally the preferred method for making tallow candles, as it allowed for easy control of candle thickness.

- However, molding was another technique used for creating candles, especially with beeswax. Molds were often carved out of wood or made from hollowed-out reeds to produce candles of various sizes and shapes.

It's worth mentioning that store-bought candles were also available to pioneers, particularly in later years. However, due to transportation and access limitations, making candles at home using locally sourced materials remained the preferred and more economical choice.