Making Tallow Candles by Repeated Dipping — The Chandler's Craft

Before paraffin wax, most of Europe lit its homes with tallow candles — rendered animal fat (beef or mutton suet) cast or dipped around a cotton or rush wick. The dipping method produces the smoothest, most even candles: a wick is dipped into a tall pot of melted tallow, withdrawn to cool, and dipped again, building up thin layers until the candle reaches the desired thickness. A skilled chandler could dip dozens of candles at once using a dipping frame. This was the everyday light source from the medieval period through the 19th century.