Brood Comb Wax

[vincent]

Hi beeks!

I have a question regarding the rendering of dark comb.
I have gathered a few pounds and am trying to get a lighter color.
So far I have double boiled and filtered it several times through cotton and cheesecloth. The color is lightening but not significantly. It's a light brown.
Was wondering if there was a faster way to lighten it up, or do I need to strain it 20 more times.

thanks all!
Vincent

[iddee]

Run it through a solar wax melter. That's the lightest I've been able to get it.

[apisbees]

using a solar melter to begin with will produce a wax that is yellower in color than if a water bath is used.the finer the filter material the finer the partials that will be removed. filtering the wax through mutable layers of paper towel In a solar melter so the wax and straining materials stay hot so the wax will flow thru.
Another method is by bleaching the wax with peroxide. it attaches to the partials and lets them settle out.

[vincent]

Thanks. I am seriously going to have to construct a solar melter. More excuses to buy a table saw. ;-)

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[Perry]

Ditto on the solar melter. Some of my nicest wax comes from doing it that way. You can make one out of scrap material for cheap too.

[vincent]

Ditto on the solar melter. Some of my nicest wax comes from doing it that way. You can make one out of scrap material for cheap too.

Very nice. Yep that's on the agenda for this winter.

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[riverbee]

solar melter vincent, that's all i use. (what apis, perry and iddee said) the wax will lighten in color the more times run through it, but don't expect dark brood comb wax to come out as light as honey frame cappings. 

[tedh]

How warm does it need to be out for a solar wax melter to work?  Ted

[apisbees]

that depends on how well the solar melter in insulated and the glass used for the cover. with enough insulation it would work at minus temps. the length of days and if the glass is on an angle and kept pointing toward the sun all has an effect.

[tedh]

Good to know Apis, thank you.  I've got an old aquarium and a little wax so thought I might give it a try on the back patio (concrete) with a piece of tar paper under it.  You know, flip the aquarium over, glass all around.  The temps should be in the mid 80's and sunny all day.  My hopes aren't too high but it sounds like fun.  So, what the heck?   Ted

[apisbees]

Aline entry for the light and black on all the other reflective surfaces. and insulate against heat loss. glass on all sides will let the UV pass on out the other side

[apisbees]

as mentioned the easiest solar melter to make is a Styrofoam cooler paint the inside black ans a piece of glass on top. place your wax collecting pan in the bottom a piece of wire screen on top to support the weight of the wax and then a few layers of paper towel then a screen to beep the slum-gum from plugin the paper towel. then place the wax on top. As the wax melts it will drain and filter down through the paper towel into the wax catching pan.you can put a little water into the wax catching pan

[apisbees]

By the way WELCOME to the forum only just noticed that you are a new member. From Perry's part of the world.

[vincent]

oh, thanks Apis! Just saw this myself as I get used to the forums.. features.

[riverbee]

hey vincent,
check the 'welcome' topic out in 'annoucements', post a thread and tell us a little about yourself!  don't be shy!

hey and any questions please don't hesitate to ask!

we are a friendly, kick back group and like to yammer and help out!