Beeswax: rendering, cleaning, uses

In short

• Wax melts at 62–64 °C (144–147 °F). Heat it only in water, steam or the sun, at most 85–90 °C, never directly over a flame and never above 100 °C.
• Never put out burning wax with water. A lid, fire blanket or extinguisher.
• Solar wax extractor for cappings and pale comb; steam extractor or boiling in a bag for dark comb.
• Soft water (rainwater) and pans of stainless steel or enamel. Iron, copper and zinc darken wax.
• Comb from colonies with suspected American foulbrood isn't rendered: the bee inspector decides what happens to it.
• For foundation, only wax from healthy hives, free of paraffin and synthetic residues.

What's inside

Chapters

1. Wax in figures
2. Safety: wax and fire
3. The solar wax extractor
4. The steam extractor and boiling in a bag
5. Cleaning and casting wax
6. Wax for foundation
7. Wax around the house
8. Selling and exchanging wax
9. Common mistakes
10. Printable checklist

Worksheets

• Wax calendar
• Wax calculator
• Food wrap and polish calculator
• Solar wax extractor plan
• Wax record
• Equipment and safety list
• Labels for wax blocks