Sunday 1 June 2014

Solar wax extractor - don't waste your wax.

The solar wax melter is working overtime today.
I collect every bit of wax - old comb, scrapings off QX and top/bottom bars etc.
Throughout the summer these bits get thrown into the extractor which has a perforated zinc screen.  The wax melts and the bits of debris get left behind. Some beekeepers put the wax bits in an old pair of tights and we know someone who puts them in old pyjama legs!  Scary!!
The resulting wax can be kept in the freezer if you haven't time to deal with it.

This is what you get at the end of the summer.
The box is stored away in the winter and the wax can be used for candles, polish, cosmetics etc. but it may need a bit more filtering through muslin to get it absolutely pure.
You can make it into blocks and trade it in exchange for sheets of foundation from your supplier.
The pic. shows some of last year's wax (1kg)- several different colours depending on where the bees have been foraging.
Quite a nice piece of modern art don't you think?
QBZzzzzzzzzzzzz

3 comments:

  1. That's awesome! I wish I had the room for a solar wax extractor! I urban beekeep so we end up throwing away most of our wax unfortunately. :(

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    1. meemsync - what a waste! You can store your wax /cappings in the freezer after washing and drying them. You can clean your wax eg. by melting in a basin in a pan of hot water and them pour it through muslin. Make lovely candles (to sell / gift or keep). No candle beats a beeswax one. QB

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  2. I have made some candles in the past, but it was a lot of work. Not sure if I'll continue to do it. Maybe, i'll try it again. http://nycgardening.blogspot.com/2013/09/making-beeswax-candles.html

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