Propolis

[Wombat2]

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

[little john]

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

[Kathyp]

Try cleaning it with some alcohol. That's what I used to take it off my hands.

[tjc1]

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...

[divemaster1963]

I torch the pans then use brelo pad. Cleans it great.
John

[Wombat2]

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.

[divemaster1963]

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

[little john]

... 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

[Michael Bush]

Freeze it and scrape it.  It will pop off and break off...