Carol Cottrill

BEESWAX

C15H31COOC30H61

Insoluble in water, density 0.95 (it floats)

Melting point 144oF

Discolors when heated over 185oF

Flash point 400oF

Stable chemical makeupDoesn’t oxidizeNot effected by mildew

Beeswax

Only substance known that emits a negative ion when burned

Neutralizes positive static charges that keep contaminants airborne

Combustion creates a convection current that draws contaminants to the flame - they are deposited into the wax causing it to darken

Four pairs of epidermal glands on worker abdomen

7 – 15 # honey to produce 1 # wax

Bees ~ 12 days old

Bees with full honey stomachs

Production

In the bee yardScrapingsLots of debrisCoffee can with lidKeep in freezer

From Old FramesPropolis, larval skins, honeyDark wax

Collecting It

From Cappings

1 – 2 pounds produced per 100 pounds honey

Light wax

Honey, but fewer impurities

Wash and dry or

Let bees clean up the honey

PansDon’t use good pansMetal coffee cans

HeatingTable top electric burner

Cover surfaces to catch splatters

Materials

Beeswax is highly flammable

Fire extinguisher

Use a double boiler

Don’t use gas stove for water process method

Safety

Solar Wax Melter

Solar Wax Melter

Water process method – cappings

Fill pan about ½ with water then add wax

Don’t overfill the pot

Heat to melt wax completely

Let cool slowly

Remove disk of wax

Methods

Water Process – scrapings (dirtier wax)

Fill pan about ½ with water then add waxHeat to melt wax completely

Filter – type of filter depends on how dirty wax is

ReheatLet cool slowlyRemove disk of wax

Burlap bag method

Fill burlap sack with wax plus a brick and tie closed

Immerse in large drum of hot water with a couple of bricks in the bottom

The wax will melt and rise to the surface

Let wax disk dry completely

Scrape off any debris on bottom

For cosmetics re-melt and filter

Pour into small blocks or bars

For candles melt wax disks and filter if needed

Using the Wax

Basic Lip Balm

Melt together• 3 T + 1 tsp olive or sunflower oil• ½ oz beeswax

Add• Vitamin E oil• Flavoring oil

Wax - oil formulations do not need an emulsifying agent

Cosmetic Products

Basic Hand Cream

Melt together• 2 cups olive, sunflower or mineral oil• 5 oz beeswax

In a separate pan mix together• 1 and 1/3 cups distilled water• 2 tsp Borax

Heat to dissolve

Add Borax/water to oil/beeswax while stirring

Water + wax - oil mixtures require an emulsifying agent

Use clean wax

Label products correctly if you plan to sell them

Product nameIngredientsWeightProducer name/address

Melting wax

Freeze wax to break it to fit in panNo water in waxDon’t stir – let any impurities settleDon’t over heat the wax

Pans for melting

Coffee can bent to form a spoutPurchased pan

Candles

Wicking

Match to the size of the moldDirty wax will clog the wickToo large a wick will smoke

Use clean molds

Spray with mold release

Molds / Materials

Level the mold

Hold wicks with pins or clips

Soda bottle for pouring

May have to top off mold to correct shrinkage

Cooling too fast can cause cracking

Pouring Candles

Natural minerals rising to the candle surface.

Wipe off with a lint free cloth (nylon hosiery)

Carefully warm for a few seconds with a hair dryer

Bloom

Education page

FoxRunFarmHoney.com