wax cappings and honey ?

papabear · February 20, 2008, 05:35:16 PM

i have some cappings that is from the fall but the honey fermented. can i still use the wax for making lip balm? if so, how do i get the honey out of the wax.

Jerrymac · February 20, 2008, 05:48:00 PM

Throw it all in a pot of water and heat it until the wax melts. Let it cool and the wax will harden on top of the water. Might be a little bit of impurities on the bottom of the wax you would have to scrape off. That is the fastest and easiest. If you have a pot you don't mind getting all waxy.

babyphatt455 · February 20, 2008, 05:49:57 PM

so you can put the wax with the honey in a pot and bring it to a boil and then the honey and wax seperate?

jsmob · February 20, 2008, 08:38:05 PM

If you noticed JerryMac said "heat the water", not boil. Beeswax melts around 142 degrees. That's a long way from boiling. Over heating seems to make the wax more brittle and lesser quality.

Jerrymac · February 20, 2008, 10:32:03 PM

The honey will just mix with the water. DO not boil. And if it is an open flame burner be very careful and not slosh the stuff around. Wax will ignite. burn you up and your house down

papabear · February 21, 2008, 05:12:26 PM

will the fermented honey make the wax taste bad?

Jerrymac · February 21, 2008, 06:17:27 PM

I don't believe so. Everything separates out of the wax and that's all you got is wax.

Brian D. Bray · February 21, 2008, 09:31:54 PM

Quote from: papabear on February 21, 2008, 05:12:26 PM
will the fermented honey make the wax taste bad?

No, but the honey will have a cloyish apple vinegar taste and smell. Best to feed it back to finish the fermenting process.

papabear · February 22, 2008, 09:25:55 PM

i was told that the bees will get sick from the fermented honey.

Moonshae · February 22, 2008, 09:46:04 PM

After the wax cools, you can let it dry (after floating on the water), then re-melt it in a double boiler, and strain it. Then you're left with decent wax.