Tallow was one of the first items used to make candles. It was cheap and easy to come by, as it is basically animal fat. These candles were often made in the fall when animals were butchered; the fat was collected and made into candles. Tallow was not the most satisfactory item to use for candles, because they smelled like animals when burned. The candles were also quite soft and tended to melt in warm weather. When other ingredients became available for candle making, tallow continued to be used by many poorer colonials. Better quality candles became a status symbol in many homes.
Colonists learned that the bayberry has a waxy covering. The women began to boil bayberries and skim the wax off the surface of the water. Once they gathered enough wax, they could begin to dip candles. One drawback to bayberry candles was that it took hundreds of pounds of the fruit to produce enough wax for a year's supply of candles. These candles had the sweet scent of the bayberry, in contrast to the animal smell of tallow candles. They also stood up better to the warm summer months. This candle was used mainly for special occasions or by wealthier colonists.
Whaling was a common profession in New England during Colonial times. It soon came to light that the head matter from sperm whales was perfect for making candles. The head matter was pressed and stored several times to remove the oil; the remaining material was then melted and formed into candles. These candles could be bought from candle makers, or the wax could be purchased and formed into candles at home. The spermaceti candles were harder than others, so they didn't melt or soften in the heat. They also did not smell bad and made a brighter light than tallow or other wax candles.
The bayberry wax, animal fat or spermaceti wax was typically melted in a large pot over a fire. Since most people made candles only once a year, they set up outside to have a large area available. Most families used about 400 candles a year. Candle drying racks were set up across chairs or other implements. Long pieces of cotton string or wicks were laid across a pole and slowly dipped into the melted wax. The coated string string would be draped over a drying rack. When they were dry, the candles were re-dipped and hung to dry again. This was repeated until the candles were the appropriate width. Once the finished candles were dry, they were stored until needed.