Bees Wax
Bees wax is amazing stuff. Produced by bees from glands on their abdomen, it can be shaped into any shape required. The bees obviously shape it into hexagons to provide a nursery from the developing bees, and as store cupboards for honey and pollen.
However, with the way we now keep bees in hives, if we don't change the wax every two to three years the bees end up living on old wax for years and years. This allows the build up of disease in the wax and so makes the bees vulnerable.
So if we are changing the wax every few years what do we do with our old wax? There are several options, some of the way suppliers will take it back in exchange for fresh wax, or it can be used to make candles, polish and wax for wood.
However, with the way we now keep bees in hives, if we don't change the wax every two to three years the bees end up living on old wax for years and years. This allows the build up of disease in the wax and so makes the bees vulnerable.
So if we are changing the wax every few years what do we do with our old wax? There are several options, some of the way suppliers will take it back in exchange for fresh wax, or it can be used to make candles, polish and wax for wood.
What ever our plans for the wax, it first needs removed from the frames and collected into a container to be melted down and strained. A bucket full like this will give a 5 cm deep 25cm disc.
To melt the wax it is important to remember that wax is highly flamable, so naked flames need to be avoided. I use either the Raeburn hot plate or an electric hot plate.
Some advise to heat the wax in a water bath, I never have but it is another option.
I use two old cast iron pans, one 8 and 10 inches in diameter. Once used for wax, they can't be used for cooking so pick carefully.
To melt the wax it is important to remember that wax is highly flamable, so naked flames need to be avoided. I use either the Raeburn hot plate or an electric hot plate.
Some advise to heat the wax in a water bath, I never have but it is another option.
I use two old cast iron pans, one 8 and 10 inches in diameter. Once used for wax, they can't be used for cooking so pick carefully.
I place the 8 inch pan on the heat with a cup of vinegar, what ever I have, cheap will do, and a couople of cups of water. Into this I slowly add the wax, allowing each lot to melt before adding more.
I have a spatula that can cope with high heats again used solely for this purpose. The pan needs to be on a low heat only. Once the wax has all settled it will look a bit like this, or hopefully not as mucky.
This was old wax from someone elses's hive and you can see the lumps of non-wax debris floating on the surface.
I have a spatula that can cope with high heats again used solely for this purpose. The pan needs to be on a low heat only. Once the wax has all settled it will look a bit like this, or hopefully not as mucky.
This was old wax from someone elses's hive and you can see the lumps of non-wax debris floating on the surface.
This needs strained out. An old pair of tights stretched over a metal coat hanger does the trick. I find this is a four hand job, so usually rope the kids in to hold the coat hanger over the 10 inch pan, which I have rubbed with washing up liquid to limit the wax sticking once cool.
The helper with their other hand uses the spatula to make a hollow in the centre of the tights, into this I slowly pour the melted wax. If the wax is fairly clean it strains through virtually as you pour, if it is as the picture above, it is a slower process and you end up with a big pile of debris at the end.
The helper with their other hand uses the spatula to make a hollow in the centre of the tights, into this I slowly pour the melted wax. If the wax is fairly clean it strains through virtually as you pour, if it is as the picture above, it is a slower process and you end up with a big pile of debris at the end.
Once cool and removed from the pan you will be left with a disc like this. If the wax was really dirty, it may need re melted and restrained through more layers of tights, or you may be ready to use it to make your candles etc.
To make candles the wax needs to be re-melted gently. Then colouring and scent can be added. These can be bought from specialist shops, I tend to use the internet.
Prior to pouring the candles into the moulds, a wick needs to be added. This should be soaked in wax first. Once the wick is in place then pour in the wax and hold the bottom of the wick round and old metal drill bit or similar.
The candles then need to be left to cool and harden - we tend to leave them overnight and then remove them from the moulds, which can be reused.
Prior to pouring the candles into the moulds, a wick needs to be added. This should be soaked in wax first. Once the wick is in place then pour in the wax and hold the bottom of the wick round and old metal drill bit or similar.
The candles then need to be left to cool and harden - we tend to leave them overnight and then remove them from the moulds, which can be reused.
