Wax Processing

[mgmoore7]

After some trial and error, I am excited o have success getting clean wax using a tshirt to filter it after heating it slowly in a stainless pot.

My issue is what to put it into to cool and then be able to get it out.  I have tried a few things like a plastic bowl but it is stuck.  I also tried cutting the bottom from a milk jug and that will work but I have cut the wax out.

So I am looking for something to pour the clean wax into, let it set up and then easily remove it. 

What do you use or have you seen others use?

[Hemlock]

Water.  If the problem is getting the wax out of the melting pot.  Put water in the pot the wax will float on it as it melts.  This will keep the wax from touching the bottom of the pan.  After everything melts remove the pot from the heat & let it cool down.  The wax will shrink and peel off the sides of the pan naturally.  It should pop out in the shape of a flat disk with no problem at all.

[luvin honey]

Ingenious!!

I am making soap and lip balm with wax, so I will be experimenting with greasing mini muffin cups with oil, then pouring in the hot wax and seeing if it will let them pop out.

With soap, the suggestion is to freeze it for a bit. It causes it to shrink from the edges, enough to get it out of the molds. Could you try that with your beeswax?

[Hemlock]

Here is how Linda at 'Linda's bees' pours her competition wax.

Pouring a wax block for the Honey Contest

[Natalie]

If you pour it into silicone pans then it should pop right out.

[BoBn]

I use cheap aluminum trays they are designed for catching the drippings from gas grills.  Easy to pop out the wax blocks.  Cheap pie pans would work too.

[TwT]

I friend of mine has his wax stacked in these small rounded squares, I asked him what he used and he said them cheap plastic ice trays you buy at a dollar store, he puts the ice tray in a leg section of panty hose and pores wax through it into ice tray, lets cool then they pop right out. small squares of clean wax.

[Natalie]

Thats a great idea!

[mgmoore7]

I had thought about the ice cubes as I was looking through the kitchen for suitable containers but ws not sure how to filter right into them.  That seems like a good idea although, I bet it could still be messy. 

[luvin honey]

Excellent idea on the cube tray!! If anyone has ideas on how to REMOVE wax from my kitchen counter, measuring cup, etc., please let me now :)

[Mason]

I melted down some bur comb I had cut out this year.  Of course I did many wrong things in hind sight.  One thing that did work well was I poured the wax into one ounce plastic cups like you get extra condiments in at restaurants.  They popped right out and I had perfect pucks of wax.

I like the idea of using ice trays.  They are bigger and less likely to spill or fall over. 

[Natalie]

Luvin I usually just use very hot or boiling water to rinse my utensils and the wax melts right out.
The counter, hmm, if you can find something to scrape it with that won't scratch and then use hot cloths to soften what is left.
I would put a rag over the area and then pour some hot water on top to let it soften the wax and then it will be easier to scrape.
I use a plastic spatula on something I don't want to scratch other wise I have a great metal one that just scrapes the wax right off of the cutting board.
I am going to get some of those plastic placemats to use in the future, I figure if you can bend them the wax will pop off and even if it doesn't all come off it won't matter.
Get cheapies from the dollar store or walmart.

[luvin honey]

Good idea on the placemats. I was thinking newspaper, but that leaves ink all over everything! Yeah, somehow I always manage to drip a few on the counter. Even once it looks like it is all gone, when the light is just right I can still see a little waxy residue.  :-\ Ahhhh, but I have glorious lip balm, so who cares?

BTW, I got some white choc bark for making candy today, and they are in beautiful 2-oz cube trays. I'm going to test their resilience with nearly boiling water. If it doesn't melt, the trays would be absolutely perfect for wax.

[SlickMick]

OK we'e heard a lot of what to do with your melted wax BUT

What's the easiest way to melt and strain the raw wax :?

Mick

[mgmoore7]

After some experimenting, here is the process that is working for me know.  I would guess over time I will learn faster ways.

1.  Put all my wax and cappings in a large stainless steel pot and put 1-2 quarts of water in it. 
2.  Bring the mixure to a light boil.
3.  Using binder clips, use some screen (like is used on screen porches) and clip over a 1 gallon bucket.  This will be used for the 1st filter of the wax.  Be sure to let the screen sag in the middle.  This will help to reduce splashing.
4.  Use some binder clips, a disposable style food container and old tshirt cut to size.  Put about 1/2 inch of water in the bottom.  Clip the t-shirt to the container.  Make it tight but you want the shirt to sag some in the middle so the wax runs to the middle and now over the side of the container.  I am not disposing of this container.  They are just much cheaper than the rubbermaid heavier style and I have not found the need to use them.  Have several of these ready depending on how much wax/water you have.
5.  Once the wax is melted, pour through the screen into the bucket from step 3.
6.  Remove the screen from the bucket.
7.  Pour the wax/water from the bucket through the tshirt into the food container.  Have   
8.  Let it all set up.  With the water in the bottom of containers, it will come out without too much trouble. 

I have tried several other types of containers with and without the water.  The water makes it much easier to remove and if there is anything that got through the filters, then it will settle to the bottom. 

I am a little disapointed that a t-shirt seems to only work for one use.  That is not that big of a deal but it would be nice to use one several times.  There are two reasons it does not work.  First, is that it gets clogged easily.  Second, once the wax starts to set up, just pouring hot wax over it does not melt it.

After all of this, I have found the wax is clean and can be used for its intended purpose. 

I want to figure out a way to setup the screen and shirt in one pouring.  With that said, this does work.  Also, I would like to figure a way to use coffee filters.  They are less than a penny per one, clean and easy to come by.  I am thinking some type of funnel setup with the screen over the the top of the funnel and the coffee filter in the bottom of the funnel.

We have made 2 candles now.  I wish I had more molds but can't justify the expense right now. 

[Bee-Bop]

One thing that has not been posted in this thread or most threads by anyone, regarding melting wax

HOT WAX WILL CAUSE SCALDING BURNS !!!

IT sticks to the skin and cannot be quickly removed, it keeps burning, and produces very large,deep scars !

Also, Keep children completely out of the area !!

I wish people who suggest heating wax, boiling water wax etc. would also mention this in their posts.

Bee Careful
Bee-Bop

[Michael Bush]

Also keep in mind it is very flammable.  Heating it without water in it or in a double boiler is very risky as if it gets to the point of evaporating it is very flammable.

[luvin honey]

Sometimes I use a large Pyrex measuring cup. I crush the wax into the cup then heat it 90 seconds at a time on 50% power. As it starts to melt, I keep adding more dry comb. When it's all melted, a good stirring seems to glob together most of the debris, which I ladle out. The rest I run through a smallish kitchen strainer--the hand-held metal variety.

[Cindi]

A really good thing to put wax into once it is cleaned is the fruit juice containers, like the 1.5 litre size (like what orange juice comes in), the inside is waxed and when you want to use the wax, just rip away the container, there, you have an intact hunk of wax.  That is what I do.  You can also use smaller containers, like the one pint, two pint, etc. that soya milk, cream, anything like that comes in.  It works well and stores well too.  Have that most beautiful day, to love and live with great health.  Cindi

[Cindi]

Another thought about getting wax off a counter.   A long time ago I got wax on some clothing.  I used a warm iron to get the wax out.  I placed a paper towel over the fabric, and ironed it.  The heat from the iron made the wax melt and absorb into the paper towel.  I think this would work on a counter too.  Most counters are arborite (I think) and can take a fair amount of heat.  If the iron was not too hot, putting a paper towel over the wax, ironing the paper towel, would remove the wax from the counter.  Try it, it might work.   A blow dryer would do the same thing I think, it is just melting the wax and allowing to absorb into the paper towel.  Beautiful days, love and live, health.  Cindi