Rendering Dirty Brood Comb Wax

Process for make dirty wax nice and clean.

[@PawPawMountain]

Thanks Joe! for the helpful tips on cleaning wax!

[@cornbreadbees5385]

Good video Joe. I render my old wax and use it on starter strips, plastic foundation. I believe the bees had rather have their own wax back instead of wax from somewhere else

[@stackingforfun9216]

If any want to use for wood working I mix 3 parts wax to 1 part mineral oil ..

[@reneemoorefrost4871]

Show us how to make starter strips, please.

[@gullreefclub]

In years past I used to make candles and to avoid over heating and scorching my wax I used a double boiler setup (placing one pot into a larger pot and filling the void between the two pots with water) and while it takes longer to melt the wax it is at least in my option safer but to each his or her own just thought I would mention that as an option. As a. Side note for years I used a 5. gallon galvanized trash can as my water pot (outer pot) and a cheap turkey fryer pot to melt my wax in. Have a Happy 4th of July

[@mattpeneguy7812]

Be careful heating up galvanized metal. It can release toxic fumes. Living is southern louisiana everyone here has a crawfish pot and burner. It's like a turkey fryer on steroids. I just bought a turkey fryer pot and use it on the crawfish burner. It gets up to temp pretty quick.

[@gullreefclub]

Matt Peneguy You make a good point about the heating Galvanized metal and toxic fumes. My solution to abate that problem was only to make candles outside and when the galvanized trash can was new I placed it on my burner with a little bit of water in it and allowed to cook the galvanization off the bottom of the trash can for a few hours. Afterwards when I was using the trash as par of my double boiler setup I had placed a diffuser over the burner so that the bottom of the pot did not get a hot spot. Now a days I would of purchased a second stainless steel or aluminum pot to make my double boiler but back when I was making candles burners and pots were several times the price we are paying now for the same type of equipment.

[@mattpeneguy7812]

@@gullreefclub Fair enough. I just wanted anyone reading your post to be aware of how to deal with anything galvanized over heat. I've read elsewhere that people have made themselves pretty sick because they didn't exercise caution.

[@TheFarmacySeedsNetwork]

excellent info! Thanks again! I have a feeling your channel will be one of my new "bee binge" channels.. :)

[@LittleBitsHoneyBeesjoemay]

glad to have you aboard.

[@stevesoutdoorworld4340]

I liked the backy can lid trick.

[@julieenslow5915]

Great tips, Joe, thank you!

[@stackingforfun9216]

I use a turkey fryer stand propane and an aluminum yardsale pan that costed me 50 cents . I add 3 inches of water up to half full as I have a screen I place a rock on to press Down the scrap ! Let cool and harden and when all done with the melt I remedy what I have to clean more

[@mikesbeesllc]

Good info Joe. Thanks

[@stackingforfun9216]

I use my wax for wood working and sell I have yet to reuse on hives !!

[@sentimentalbloke7586]

Hey bud that grade 2 propylis is worth more than the wax

[@meganjamesgross1400]

Thanks, more great information!

[@fezwhy]

Does the wax have to be rendered until it's very yellow for the bees to use it? Or can you reheat and strain a few times?

[@LittleBitsHoneyBeesjoemay]

If you do it twice like I say in the video it will be fine. One time is good enough for the bees.

[@charlesoneill466]

Thanks Joe

[@MikeB0001]

Ugh...too much mess and work...get some 5 gallon paint strainers..and a cheap 6 qt crockpot..goodwill etc....melt..pull out paint strainer with slumgum then pour thru an old tshirt or muslin etc. Paint strainers are reusable.

[@gregstickels5706]

Those frames of comb would have been great to use in swarm traps, unless you just really need some wax.

[@LittleBitsHoneyBeesjoemay]

yes you could have put them in a freezer to kill all the SHB they would work great for swam traps. I don't have the time for swarm trapping.

[@Dstick1Spearfishing]

Thanks Joe, that was really cool. I have been wondering how to get involved in cleaning up my wax, and that just made life very simple! Much appreciated. A side note, I assume that strainer you use is a metal woven one and not a nylon one? Cheers

[@gmeeks]

Propane turkey cooker works good.

[@HaUsSssss]

any ideas on how I could heat a ~40ish gallon stainless tank? I need to go through about 30 hives worth of frames lol

[@LittleBitsHoneyBeesjoemay]

I think you could use a fish fryer burner.

[@jeremymoore9439]

Nice video Joe