Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: misfyredOhio on July 09, 2010, 01:20:50 PM

Title: Compost drawn out comb?
Post by: misfyredOhio on July 09, 2010, 01:20:50 PM
I have some old, yucky, drawn out comb that I have removed from old frames. Can I put it in my compost pile? I'm thinking not because of the wax but thought I would ask.
Title: Re: Compost drawn out comb?
Post by: lisascenic on July 09, 2010, 01:41:50 PM
Why not reclaim the wax, by melting it down?

It's simple, low-tech, and uses stuff you probably have laying around the house.

http://beekeeperlinda.blogspot.com/2006/10/building-solar-wax-melter.htmlLink to Linda's version. (http://beekeeperlinda.blogspot.com/2006/10/building-solar-wax-melter.htmlLink%20to%20Linda's%20version.)

http://howsrobb.blogspot.com/2010/06/reclaiming-bees-wax.htmlLink to mine. (http://howsrobb.blogspot.com/2010/06/reclaiming-bees-wax.htmlLink%20to%20mine.)
Title: Re: Compost drawn out comb?
Post by: Kathyp on July 09, 2010, 02:12:20 PM
you can get more wax out of those than you'd think.  i put mine in cheesecloth and steam it over a double boiler. just stir it up every once in a while and let the was drip out.  when cooled, remove wax from water.
Title: Re: Compost drawn out comb?
Post by: AllenF on July 09, 2010, 03:34:43 PM
I do not know if the old wax will break down very fast in the compost pile.  I still have old wax out in the corner of the woods that were from 2 or 3 seasons ago I tossed.