Candles and candle making

[FreshPrince711]

I'm attempting to make period accurate candles and I'm a bit stumped. I am attempting to replicate the "P&G Star candles" that are Adamentine (which I believe is, in modern terms, Stearic Acid). What I don't get is if it's supposed to be 100% stearic acid, or a mix of the acid and Paraffin, or the acid and Beef Tallow. (and yes, I get the "parafine" of old is not the same as paraffin today).

What would be the accurate way to make the old adamentine/stearic candles? Is it a mixture or is it straight Stearic Acid? I can purchase 10lb bags of it (https://douglasandsturgess.com/prod...xb9R6IMv4NWHNsMVYdLH6DyUO1mUybaWjonsotBBbx_Jk) or here (https://calcandlesupply.com/stearic...SULP9kosBz6X3rnkURQGxuRhcNQ92QcSNCzF72UV7koot)


While I'm making the forum post, if I were to make beef tallow candles is there any recommended additives? Thanks!

 

[captaindrew]

Cool project, could you mix it with beeswax?

 

[James Brenner]

A little before your time, but FWIW, in late 1812 as General Winchester's army was heading towards Michigan, he directed his soldiers to engage in "soap boiling and candle making" using the lard and tallow obtained from slaughtering the pigs and cattle accompanying the army. I imagine the candles were pure beef/tallow, dipped rather than molded, and probably very smokey and aromatic. "Papers and Orderly Book of Brigadier General James Winchester", Michigan Historical Collection, Vol.31, (Lansing: Robert Smith, 1902)

 

[FreshPrince711]

Cool project, could you mix it with beeswax?

Possibly, but then the candles would get expensive as 10lbs of beeswax is upwards of $100+. Unless I get the pellets from amazon for like $40 but I haven't looked into if it's true beeswax or a beeswax mix at that price point.

These candles would be going into a tin mold making 6" candles and use cotton wicks.

 

[Dan Kohli]

A little before your time, but FWIW, in late 1812 as General Winchester's army was heading towards Michigan, he directed his soldiers to engage in "soap boiling and candle making" using the lard and tallow obtained from slaughtering the pigs and cattle accompanying the army. I imagine the candles were pure beef/tallow, dipped rather than molded, and probably very smokey and aromatic. "Papers and Orderly Book of Brigadier General James Winchester", Michigan Historical Collection, Vol.31, (Lansing: Robert Smith, 1902)

The army did issue pure tallow candles. Although they preferred to keep them issued North of some latitude that I'm failing to remember, I'll try to find where it's stated.

 

[Dan Kohli]

I'm attempting to make period accurate candles and I'm a bit stumped. I am attempting to replicate the "P&G Star candles" that are Adamentine (which I believe is, in modern terms, Stearic Acid). What I don't get is if it's supposed to be 100% stearic acid, or a mix of the acid and Paraffin, or the acid and Beef Tallow. (and yes, I get the "parafine" of old is not the same as paraffin today).

What would be the accurate way to make the old adamentine/stearic candles? Is it a mixture or is it straight Stearic Acid? I can purchase 10lb bags of it (https://douglasandsturgess.com/prod...xb9R6IMv4NWHNsMVYdLH6DyUO1mUybaWjonsotBBbx_Jk) or here (https://calcandlesupply.com/stearic...SULP9kosBz6X3rnkURQGxuRhcNQ92QcSNCzF72UV7koot)


While I'm making the forum post, if I were to make beef tallow candles is there any recommended additives? Thanks!

I seem to remember seeing something about it in he February 1864 reproduction reprint of The Prairie Farmer that South Union Mills. I'll look through it again to find what it said.

Prairie Farmer Magazine, February 1864 Issue Reprint

Excellence in Authentic textile recreations and straw hats

southunionmills.com

 

[Dan Kohli]

There was nothing conclusive that I could find in this short research trip, it looks like some candle makers mixed tallow into the the other types of candles to increase profits, I'm guessing that that pure stearic/ adamantine candles exist too. I found that The Prairie Farmer covered pure tallow candles only.
This is enough rambling from me tonight.

 

[Dan Kohli]

The additional book I referred to is Notes on Preparing Stores for the U.S. Army by Kilburn: https://www.11thovc.com/_files/ugd/0d3674_2c9d2d3148a44fa28d0b68390c90f027.pdf

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

There is a saying, now not used, "is the work worth the candle?" Because candles were expensive.

 

[FreshPrince711]

The additional book I referred to is Notes on Preparing Stores for the U.S. Army by Kilburn: https://www.11thovc.com/_files/ugd/0d3674_2c9d2d3148a44fa28d0b68390c90f027.pdf

That's an awesome reference! Sounds like a mix of Stearic/adamentine and tallow? But it references it being unpure if a residue is left on your fingers after crushing it. I wonder what percent mixture would achieve the desired hardness and crystal feel? 80 tallow/20 Stearic probably. I'll have to do some experiments and check how it comes out.