Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Wombat2 on November 04, 2015, 06:25:04 PM

Title: Propolis
Post by: Wombat2 on November 04, 2015, 06:25:04 PM
I made the mistake of putting some old frames in the solar wax melter to clean the wax off but all the propolis has melted and made a mess of the tray and now when I melt cappings the propolis gets into the honey that comes off and makes it dark.

What is the best way to remove it? Tried scrapping while hot but just seems to spread it out thinly all over

Title: Re: Propolis
Post by: little john on November 04, 2015, 07:30:18 PM
You could try Mr. Muscle spray oven cleaner - I have used it in the past to remove propolis from pvc - works like a charm. Rinse-off well with water afterwards.
LJ

Title: Re: Propolis
Post by: Kathyp on November 04, 2015, 07:30:24 PM
Try cleaning it with some alcohol. That's what I used to take it off my hands.
Title: Re: Propolis
Post by: tjc1 on November 04, 2015, 07:41:16 PM
Quote from: kathyp on November 04, 2015, 07:30:24 PM
Try cleaning it with some alcohol. That's what I used to take it off my hands.

+1 - I use it to clean propolis off my camera and hive tool and gloves...
Title: Re: Propolis
Post by: divemaster1963 on November 04, 2015, 07:45:10 PM
I torch the pans then use brelo pad. Cleans it great.
John
Title: Re: Propolis
Post by: Wombat2 on November 04, 2015, 11:26:35 PM
Thanks guys - that's given me something to try. I normally use cheap auto paint thinners to clean everything but it is so good it strips paint off everything as well - and since the tray in the solar wax melter has been painted black I didn't want to make the job bigger than needed.
Title: Re: Propolis
Post by: divemaster1963 on November 04, 2015, 11:39:21 PM
Only paint the bottoms black if at all. Aluminum baking pans are great I get them from surplus restaurant suppliers. They absorb heat greatly and help in melting. I bow them lightly in the middle and drill holes and place screen to drain thru.

John
Title: Re: Propolis
Post by: little john on November 05, 2015, 04:40:04 AM
Quote from: Wombat2 on November 04, 2015, 11:26:35 PM
... the tray in the solar wax melter has been painted black ...

Mr. Muscle might take paint off, as it's based on caustic soda.  I recently found a dark coloured 'drip pan' from a cooking stove at a boot (bring and buy) sale which is heavily enamelled - that's what I intend to use instead of steam next year - another one of my 'round tuit' jobs ...
LJ
Title: Re: Propolis
Post by: Michael Bush on November 05, 2015, 07:19:27 AM
Freeze it and scrape it.  It will pop off and break off...