Melting Bees wax the messy way

Melting Bees Wax

 I had a phone call asking if I sold wax.  Up to that point I usually put my wax cappings and bits of wax in a bucket and made a plan to deal with it later.  Of course later as we all know usually means never.  I had put the bucket in the deep freeze so at least the wax months would not have a feast.

Following is the rather messy process I use.  It is important before you start to make sure there are no responsible adults or inquisitive children in the house, the first will object to you using their saucepans and the second will burn them selves on the wax.

1. Gather your wax bits

As you can see there is a real mix here of wax cappings, old brood, and bits a pieces.










Melt the wax


This is an old pressure cooker that's well past its pressure days.  I poured about a couple of inches (5cm) in the bottom heated it up and put in all the cappings from the bowl above.  The reason for the water is to stop the wax catching fire.  Wax has a low flash point, bit like myself.

Heat and stir until all the wax has melted and the bits and pieces of old brood cocoons are seen floating on the top.

Place one of those jelly bags you use to make jams and jellies over a bucket and pour the lot through.  It is hot!  Be warned.  (If you go to Bishsbees tictoc account you can see what it does to your fingers!) 





Liquid Wax


A couple of pictures showing the liquid wax.  I put this bucket in cold water to speed up the process of it becoming solid.

The bottom bucket has some of the wax which will go through the melting and filtering again.



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