Bees for Development Journal 127 June 2018
FACTS ABOUT WAX Part 2: Comb and foundation Dr Wolfgang Ritter Collecting wax from comb
Cleaning wax
Wax melts at around 65°C. Heating it too strongly or for too long darkens it and changes its chemical composition, in particular aromas get lost. Heating wax directly gives a high risk of over-heating. Therefore, wax must be extracted very carefully in the following way:
The melted wax contains impurities, which are removed initially by using a sieve or gauze strainer. In the refining process that follows, the wax is heated together with water in a heat resistant pot, to 75–80°C, and then left standing overnight to slowly cool down. For this purpose, the refining pot should be well isolated because the slower the wax cools down, the more impurities sink to the bottom of the pot. They can be easily removed from the bottom of the cold wax cake.
Solar wax extractor Melting wax using solar heat is a very cost-efficient procedure. However, capacity is limited, and the extraction only works if there is enough sunshine. In extreme heat, very hot temperatures can occur that will damage the wax. If the container does not close well bees can start robbing. The wax output is smaller than with other methods.
For candle making the wax can be bleached using different acids (citric, oxalic or sulphuric), or hydrogen peroxide. Acids such as hydrochloric acid damage the wax chemically. Bleached wax is not allowed for the production of foundation sheets to be used in frame hives.
Water bath
Foundation
Combs are plunged into boiling water. The water must be non-ferrous therefore using rainwater is recommended. The remnants, mainly originating from brood moulting, are skimmed from the surface. Afterwards, the wax can be filtered through a jute sack, canvas or something similar. It can also be squeezed out or centrifuged.
Since Johannes Mehring manufactured the first comb foundation in the 19th century, it has become indispensable for many beekeepers. Use of foundation Small solar wax extractors can be easily home-made. The box is covered by a glass pane or plastic double-webbed slab. The sun’s rays warm up the inner part of the box. At 65°C the wax starts to melt and drips into the pan below.
Steam wax extractor If you are using frame hives, the wax from the frame is melted in the upper part of the container by producing steam using electricity or gas. The remainder is strained out, and the wax is gathered in the lower part of the container. The containers are usually made of stainless steel to avoid any effect on wax quality by metals such as iron.
glass pane melting basin
Illustration © Wolfgang Ritter
dirt trap
Isolation
wax 16
