Refining Beeswax With A Steam Wax Melter

In this video I show you one of the ways I refine beeswax. By that I mean cleaning the beeswax. This video we look specifically at a Steam Beeswax Meter.
There are several ways you can clean beeswax. Using thes purpose built melters are definitely the way forward. I try and avoid physical filters until the last stage of processing. Filters will block up and over time you will lose a lot of beeswax in the material.
The easiest way to do it is to melt it out into a big container and the majority of the dirt will set at the bottom and the clean wax will float to the top.
This steam beeswax melter has a stainless steel basket inside that acts like a filter and removes the large lumps of debris and impurities within the wax such as pollen, wood, dirt, old comb and bees.
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[@SarahSmith-nd5nr]

Hi just thought I’d say I have the 200 ltr version of this and I line it with a plain cotton sheet/ quilt cover. Even brood frame wax comes through almost clean, saves doing it as many times. Shake off the crud on the inside of the sheet and re use. I put our frames in ours as well. (Cleaner sheet for cleaner wax/frames though) 😊 really happy with the results. For anyone wondering I get about 30/40 frames in at a time.

[@rtxhoneybees]

In your primary melt you can use a sort of inverted sieve that pushes the slum down into the water, allowing cleaner wax to rise before cooling. This removes a tremendous amount of slum and saves wax that is normally lost by skimming the top. Kamon Renolds did a video of someone in Hawaii who uses one. I built something similar using plywood, sheet metal, and window screen. It works so well that Ive even started recovering the wax from my final pour filters (t shirt, panty hose, and paper towels).

[@paulfairbrass4424]

When you explain to people why pure wax candles cost so much, this is one of the thing's nobody think's about.

[@gwenyngruffydd]

Absolutely!!

[@TomWilliamson-x1x]

Great stuff. I started using a Konigin wax melter this year and don't think I'll ever go back to the home made solar again. Garden fleece made into a large bag is great for straining through in the melter a second time to clean up anything that needs it - its cheap and can be binned when finished

[@janetbates1986]

Not sure about garden fleece but a cotton filter can be used to light the smoker when it is impregnated with wax.

[@paul57740]

Great stuff Griff

[@gwenyngruffydd]

Thanks ☺️

[@TheGracielee]

my first purchase of 1kg block, spot on griff thank you

[@gwenyngruffydd]

😊👍🏻

[@eastsussexbeesandwildlife5801]

Ta for that Gruff. Roll on the spring and a bit of warmth. Hope your nucs are doing ok😊

[@gwenyngruffydd]

😊👍🏻

[@rickwarner516]

Thanks Gruffydd always appreciate your videos hope to see you in May this year 👍🏽❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@gwenyngruffydd]

😊👍🏻

[@AntennaBee]

Gruff another interesting vid great to see how your system works

[@gwenyngruffydd]

Thanks Colin 😊

[@ChrisBoogerd]

Hi Gwenyn , you make nice informative videos. I watched many of them. I am starting this season with bee keeping. And I wanted to ask your vision on using a jacket or a full suit. Whitch one did you preferred, and why? Thanks!

[@gwenyngruffydd]

Thank you ☺️ I would advise on using a full suit!

[@_J.F_]

With the cost of energy, and the work required, I imagine that the margins must be getting really tight on the beeswax business.

[@gwenyngruffydd]

Yes, all these machines are 2.5-3KVA

[@wowwizzit]

I like to steam my frames in a box melter, it works ok, definately not as efficient as a tank though.

[@gwenyngruffydd]

Agree

[@rickwarner516]

👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@dougpeterson5257]

Where did you get the steam generator and what are the specifications? I see them online but it's hard to decide how big is adequate.

[@gwenyngruffydd]

This one is a Lyson. But it’s to small to take complete frames. You need one that can take full size frames without doing cutouts.

[@seananderson6958]

Wall paper steamer

[@janetbates1986]

Earlex do a big professional wall paper steamer. This has a good safety cut out when it boils dry- I do try hard to prevent this as it can't do it any good. Steams for longer than the small ones. I have bought from eBay. People tend to buy one for a job and then sell them on- often in excellent condition.

[@dougpeterson5257]

@@janetbates1986 thanks

[@dougpeterson5257]

@@seananderson6958 thanks