Friday 21 November 2014

Using that precious beeswax - Pt.1


I found out the other day that honey bees need to consume 2kg honey to make 60g wax. About 1 table-candle.
In old money that is 1lb to make 1oz.!! So, from now on QB will be saving every little flake.
I've been v. busy purifying wax and moulding and rolling candles.  Here's what I did.
These are silicon mouls - expensive but long- lasting.
The wick is threaded through fom the bottom and
Held tight with 2 sticks (cocktail - fine!)
and rubber bands.Add caption

I save tins from B. beans/dog food - any that are watertight.
Boil water in that old pan. Put broken pieces of wax
in the tins and squeeze tin rim to make a pouring lip. Put tins
in water - wax will melt at 65C


 


Once the wax is liquid it can be poured into the moulds. Pic. at top shows plain (no wicks) moulds for beeswax blocks.
Bottom pic. shows candle moulds filled to the top.  If the wax shrinks as it sets I top it up again.
Once cold (takes a few hours) the candles can be taken out of the moulds.                                             
Episode 2 to follow - gets even more exciting!!!!!
QB  ran out of space on blogpage.


2 comments:

  1. Ok, I love the idea of putting the wax in the old cans in boiling water. Does honey float up to the top in these?

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  2. Sorry for delay ! Been hibernating.
    The wax just melts in the cans and then after letting it cool slightly you pour it into the moulds. Be careful not to get any water in the wax.
    QBXXX

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