How to Render Sheep Tallow and Make Soap or Shampoo Bars

We usually focus on the fiber aspects of sheep science, but my family also eats lamb and mutton as well. When we do fill our freezer with meat, we try to use as much of the animal as possible, to respect what the animal gave. Suet is organ fat which is often considered scrap. However, it can be used to render tallow and make soap. I use mine to make shampoo bars as a low-poo/no-poo alternative. Recipe below.

Trigger warning - We do talk about sheep as a food source and show video of meat and fat cooking in this video. If this is a tough topic for you, please consider watching one of our other videos on fiber, instead.

Fiber Science is a series that explores the science behind the art of textiles.
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Original recipe from Bumble Bee Apothecary
https://bumblebeeapothecary.com/tallo...
Keep in mind that I use mutton tallow instead of beef tallow, which changes the consistency of the final product slightly.

10 oz. grass fed tallow
10 oz. refined coconut oil
10 oz. olive oil
6 oz. castor oil
13.68 oz. water
5.11 oz. lye
2 tbsp essential oil

Instructions:
1. Weigh tallow, coconut oil, olive oil, and castor oil, and put into a crockpot on high, or a pot on the stove on low heat.
2. Weigh the water in a heat safe container or sturdy plastic bucket, and weigh lye separately.
3. Once oils are melted, check the temperature. You want the oils to be 100 degrees F. Let oils cool if necessary.
4. Once oils are at 100 degrees F, take the lye and water outdoors. Wearing gloves and safety goggles, carefully and slowly pour the lye into the water. Stir gently.
5. Once the lye water has turned from cloudy to clear, leave it to cool for 10 minutes.
6. Carefully pour the lye water into the oil mixture.
7. Use an immersion blender to mix the shampoo bar mixture. After a few minutes, it will grow creamy, and start to thicken. Mix until it has reached “trace,” the light pudding consistency.
8. Add the essential oils and blend again to incorporate.
9. Pour shampoo bar mixture into molds, top with wax paper, and wrap molds in towels.
10. After 24 hours, remove soap from mold and slice into bars. Let cure in an area with good air flow for 4 weeks.